721

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

WE, the people of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty-
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 we hold it to be self evident, that all men
are created equally free, that they are endowed" by their
Creator with certain unalienable rights, among which are life,
liberty, the enjoyment of the proceeds of their own labor, and
the pursuit of happiness.

Art. 2. 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 unalien-
able right to alter, reform, or abolish their form of Govern-
ment in such manner as they may deem expedient.

, Art. 3. That the people of this State ought to have the sole
and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and
police thereof.

Art. 4. 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 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 all property derived to them from or under the charter
granted by his Majesty, Charles the First, to Cecilius Calvert,
Baron of Baltimore.

Art. 5. 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 contravention
or subversion thereof.

Art. 6. That all persons invested with the Legislative or
Executive powers of government are the Trustees of the pub-

91