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ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly
endangered, and all other means of redress ate ineffectual, the
people may, and of right ought to reform the old or establish a
new government; the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary
power and oppression is absurd, slavish and destructive of the
good and happiness of mankind.
ART. 5. ‘That theiight of the people to participate in the Legis
lature is the best security of liberty, and the foundation of all
free government; for this purpose elections ought to be free and
frequent, and every free white male citizen having the qualifica.
tions prescribed by the Constitution, ought to have the right of
suffrage.
ART. 6. That the legislative, executive and judicial powers of
government ought to be forever separate and distinct from each
other; and no person exercising the functions of one of said depart
nients, shall assume or discharge theduties of any other.
ART. 7. ‘That no power of suspending laws, or the execution
of laws, unless by or derived from the Legislature, ought to be
exercised or allowed.
ART. 8 That freedom of speech and debate or proceedings in
the Legislature, ought not to be impeached in any court of judi
cature.
ART. 9. That Annapolis be the place for the meeting of the
Legislature; and the Legislature ought riot to be convened or
held at any other place but from evident necessity.
ART. 10. That for the redress of grievances, and for amending,
strenthening and preserving the laws, the Legislature otight to be
frequently convened.
ART. 11. That every man bath a right to petition the Legisla
ture for the redress of grievances in a peaceable and orderly
manner.
ART. 12. That no aid, charge, tax, burthen, or fees, ought
to be rated or levied, under any pretence, without the consent
of the Legislature.
ART. 13. That the levying of taxes by the poll is grievous and op
pressive and ought tobe abolished; that paupers ought not to be as
sessed for the support of Government, bitt every other person in
the State, or person holding property therein, ought to contribute
his proportion of public taxes, for the support of Government, ac
cording to his actual worth in real or personal property; yet fines,
duties or taxes may properly and justly be imposed or laid, on per
sons or property, with a political view, for the good government
and benefit of the community.
ART. 14. That sanguinary laws ought to be avoided, as far as is
consistent with the safety of the State; and no law to inflict cruel
and unusual pains and penalties ought to be made, in any case,
or at any time hereafter.
ART. 15. ‘That retrospective laws, punishing acts committed
before the existence of said laws, and by them only declared