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on the first day of June, 1867, except such as may have
since expired, or may be inconsistent with the provisions
of this constitution, subject, nevertheless, to the revision
of; and amendment or repeal by the Legislature of this
State; and the inhabitants of Maryland are also entitled
to use property devised to them from or under the char-
ter granted by his majesty Charles the First to Cor-
nelius Calvert, Baron of Baltimore.
Art. 6. That all persons invested with the legislative
or executive powers of government are the trustees of
the public, and, as such, accountable for their conduct.
Wherefore, whenever the ends of government are per-
verted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and
all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may,
and, of right, ought to reform the old, or establish a new
government. The doctrine of non-resistance against ar-
bitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish and de-
structive of the good and happiness of mankind.
Art. 7. That the right of the people to participate in
the Legislature is the best security of liberty, and the
foundation of all free government; for this purpose elec-
tions ought to be free and frequent, and every white male
citizen having the qualifications prescribed by the consti-
tution ought to have the right of suffrage.
Art. 8. That the legislative, executive and judicial
powers of government ought to be forever separate and
distinct from each other, and no person, by exercising the
functions of one of said departments, shall assume or
discharge the duties of any other.
Art. 9. That no power of suspending laws, or the exe-
cution of laws, unless by or derived from the Legisla-
ture, ought to be exercised or allowed.
Art. 10. That freedom of speech and debate, or pro-
ceedings in the Legislature, ought not to be impeached in
any court of judicature.
Art. 11. That Annapolis be the place of meeting of the
Legislature; and the Legislature ought not to be con-
vened or held at any other place but from evident neces-
sity.
Art. 12. That for redress of grievances, and for
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