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NUMBER 14
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government, laying its foundations on such prin-
ciples, and organizing its powers in such form as
to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety
and happiness; and
WHEREAS, the doctrine of non-resistence against
arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish
and destructive of the good and happiness of man-
kind; and
WHEREAS, standing armies are dangerous to
liberty, and ought not to be raised or kept up with-
out the consent of the Legislature; and
WHEREAS, in all cases and at all times the mili-
tary ought to be under strict subordination to, and
control of the civil power, and that the people of
this State ought to have the sole and exclusive
right of regulating the internal government and
police thereof; and that in all criminal prosecutions,
every man hath a right to be informed of the ac-
cusation, against him to have a copy of the indict-
ment or charge in due time (if required) to prepare
for his defence, to be allowed counsel, to be con-
fronted with the witnesses against him, to have
process for his witnesses, to examine the witnesses
for and against him on oath, and to a speedy trial
by an impartial jury, without whose unanimous
consent he ought not to be found guilty; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States
declares that Congress shall have power to de-
clare war, to raise and support armies; that "the
privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be
suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or in-
vasion, the public safety may require it, " nor then
unless by Congress. "That a well regulated mili-
tia being necessary to security of a free State, the
right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not
be infringed, " that "the right of the people to be
secure in their houses, persons, papers and effects
against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall
not be violated, and no warrant shall issue but
upon probable causes, supported by oath or affirma-
tion, and particularly describing the place to be
searched and the persons or things to be seized;
and
WHEREAS, Maryland is yet a State in the Union,
submitting peaceably to the Federal Government,
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