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58
THE DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
We, the people of the State of Maryland, grateful to Al-
mighty God for our civil and religious liberty, and taking
into our serious consideration the best means of establishing
a good Constitution in this State for the sure foundation and
more permanent security thereof, declare:
ARTICLE 1. That all government of right originates from
the people, is founded in compact only, and instituted solely
for the good of the whole; and they have at all times the un-
alienable right to alter, reform or abolish their form of gov-
ernment in such manner as they may deem expedient.
Art. 2. That the people of this State ought to have the sole
and exclusive right of regulating the internal government
and police thereof.
Art. 3. That the inhabitants of Maryland are entitled to
the common law of England, and the trial by jury according
to the course of that law, and to the benefit of such of the
English statutes as existed on the fourth day of July, seven-
teen hundred and seventy-six, and which, by experience, have
been found applicable to their local and other circumstances,
and have been introduced, used and practiced by the courts of
law or equity, and also of all Acts of Assembly in force on
the first day of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-four,
except such as may have since expired or may be incon-
sistent with the provisions of this Constitution, subject, never-
theless, to the revision of and amendment or repeal by the
Legislature of this State; and the inhabitants of Maryland
are also entitled to all property derived to them from or
under the charter granted by his Majesty, Charles the First,
to Cecilius Calvert, Baron of Baltimore.
Art. 4. That the Constitution of the United States, and the
laws made in pursuance thereof, being: the supreme law of the
land, every citizen of this State owes paramount allegiance to
the Constitution and Government of the United States, and is
not bound by any law or ordinance of this State in contraven-
tion or subversion thereof.
Art. 5. That all persons invested with the Legislative or
Executive powers of government are the trustees of the pub-
lic, and as such, accountable for their conduct; wherefore,
whenever the ends of government are perverted, 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 arbitrary power and oppression is absurd,
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