18

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

lie 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 gov-

ernment the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppres-

sion is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind

Right of suf-

ART 7 That the right of the people to participate in the legislature is the

irage
18 Md 479

best security of liberty and the foundation of nil free government, for this

purpose, elections ought to be free and frequent; and every white male citizen,

having the qualifications prescribed by the Constitution, ought to have the

right of suffrage.

ART 8 That the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government

Reparation of
the depart-

ought to be forever separate and distinct from each other; and no person ex-

ments of gov-

ercising the functions of one of said departments shall assume or discharge the

ernment
5 11 & J 304, 1

duties of any other.

G & J 463, 1 G

66. 2G. 147, 8 G 141, 2 Md 341, 429, 4 Md 139, 9 Md 526, 10 Md 478, 15 Md 376, 18 Md 193,

22 Md 183, 4 Md Ch 349, 37 Md 65

Suspension of

laws

ART 9 That no power of suspending laws, or the execution of laws, unless

by, or derived from, the legislature, ought to be exercised or allowed

Freedom of

ART 10 That freedom of speech and debate, or proceedings in the legisla-

speech

ture, ought not to be impeached in any court of judicature

Seat of govern-

ART 11 That Annapolis be the place of meeting of the legislature; and the

ment

legislature ought not to be convened or held at any other place but from evi-

dent necessity.

Meeting of

ART 12. That for redress of grievances, and for amending, strengthening,

legislature

and preserving the laws, the legislature ought to be frequently convened

Right of peti-

ART 18 That every man hath a right to petition the legislature for the re-

tion

dress of grievances in a peaceable and orderly manner

Levying of

ART 14 That no aid, charge, tax, burthen, or fees ought to be rated or

taxes

levied, under any pretence, without the consent of the legislature.

Poll taxes op-
pressive

ART 15 That the levying of taxes by the poll is grievous and oppressive,

Paupers not to

and ought to be prohibited; that paupers ought not to be assessed for the sup-

be taxed

port of the government; but every person in the State, or person holding prop-

Taxation ac-
cording to ac-

erty therein, ought to contribute his proportion of public taxes for the support

tual worth

of the government, according to his actual worth in real or personal property;

Fines, etc
45 Md 361, 44

yet fines, duties, or tuxes may properly and justly be imposed or laid, with a

Md 131, 40
Md 22, 40 Md

political view for the good government and benefit of the community.

276, 28 Md 577,

3 H & McH 169, 12 G & J 117, 1 G 302, 11, 2 G 11, 244, 254, 487, 3 G 14. 6 G 290, 1 Md.

36S, 7 Md 1, 12 Md 195, 18 Md 1, 451, 20 Md 516

Sanguinary

ART 16 That sanguinary law? ought to be avoided as far as it is consistent

laws

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.

Retrospective

ART 17 That retrospective laws, punishing acts committed before the ex-

laws

istence of such laws, and by them only declared criminal, are oppressive, un-

2 H & J 41, 4
G & J 1, 12 G

just, and incompatible with liberty, wherefore, no ex post facto law ought to be

& J 399, 2 G 79,
9 G 302, 1 Md

made; nor any retrospective oath or restriction be imposed or required.

Ch 66, 8 Md

551, 10 Md 129, 12 Md 195, 19 Md 351

Attainder.

ART 18 That no law to attaint particular persons of treason or felony ought

to be made in any case, or at any time, hereafter

Bight to have

ART 19. That every man, for any injury done to him in his person or prop-

justice
2 Md 452

erty, ought to have remedy by the course of the law of the land, and ought to

have justice and right, freely without sale, fully without any denial, and

speedily without delay, according to the law of the land.

Trial of facts

ART 20 That the trial of facts, where they arise, is one of the greatest

where they
arise

securities of the lives, liberties, and estate of the people.

Criminal prose-

ART 21 That in all criminal prosecutions, every man bath a right to be in-

cutions
39 Md 355

formed of the accusation against him; to have a copy of the indictment, or

Copy of indict-
ment

charge, in due time (if required) to prepare for his defence; to be allowed