ARTICLE VII.

OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Section I. The Legislature shall, as soon as conveniently may be, provide by law for the establishment of schools throughout the state, in such manner that the poor may be taught gratis.

OF SEMINARIES OF LEARNING.

Sec. II. The arts and sciences shall be promoted in one or more seminaries of learning.

OF RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES AND CORPORATE BODIES.

Sec. III. The rights, privileges, immunities, and estates of religious societies and corporate bodies shall remain as if the Constitution of this state had not been altered or amended.

Sec. IV. The Legislature shall not invest any corporate body or individual with the privilege of taking private property for public use, without requiring such corporation or individual to make compensation to the owners of said property, or give adequate security therefor, before such property shall be taken.

ARTICLE VIII.

OF THE OATH OF OFFICE.

Members of the General Assembly, and all officers, executive and judicial, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support the Constitution of the Commonwealth, and to perform the duties of their respective offices with fidelity.

ARTICLE IX.

OF THE DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

That the general, great, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognised and unalterably established, WE DECLARE THAT

Section I. All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness. [See 4 Dall. 258, 260.]

Sec. II. All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness;-For the advancement of these ends, they have, at all times, an unalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish their government, in such manner as they may think pro

per.

Sec. III. All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; no man can, of right, be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry against his consent; no human authority ean, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience; and no preference shall ever be given, by law, to any religious establishments or modes of worship. [17 S. & R. 160. 2 Pa. R. 417. 1 Pa. R. 13.]

Sec. IV. No person who acknowledges the being of a God and a future state of rewards and punishments, shall on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this Commonwealth. [See 2 Cowen, 433, n. 572, n. 18 Johns. 98. 4 Am. Jour. 286.]

Sec. V. Elections shall be free and equal.

Sec. VI. Trial by jury shall be as heretofore, and the right thereof remain inviolate. [See 1 Binn. 416. 8 Wheat. 674. 3 Paige, 75.]

Sec. VII. The printing presses shall be free to every person who undertakes to examine the proceedings of the Legislature, or any branch of government and no law shall ever be made to restrain the right thereof. The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man; and every citizen may freely speak, write and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. In prosecutions for the publication of papers investigating the official conduct of officers, or men in a public capacity, or where the matter published is proper for public information, the truth thereof may be given in evidence: And in all indictments for libels, the jury shall have a right to determine the law and the facts, under the direction of the court, as in other cases. [See 3 Yeates, 520.]

Sec. VIII. The people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions, from unreasonable searches and seizures: And no warrant to search any place, or to seize any person or things, shall issue, without describing them as nearly as may be, nor without probable cause,

supported by oath or affirmation. [See 6 Binn. 316. 3 Cranch, 548, 453.]

Sec. IX. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused hath a right to be heard by himself and his counsel, to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to meet the witnesses face to face, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favour, and, in prosecutions by indictment or information, a speedy public trial, by an impartial jury of the vicinage; he cannot be compelled to give evidence against himself, nor can he be deprived of his life, liberty, or property, unless by the judgment of his peers or the law of the land.

Sec. X. No person shall for any indictable offence, be proceeded against criminally by information, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger, or by leave of the court, for oppression and misdemeanour in office. No person shall, for the same offence, be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall any man's property be taken or applied to public use, without the consent of his representatives, and without just compensation being made. [See 3 Yeates, 362. 6 Binn. 509. 20 Johns. 735. 2 Dall. 312. 2 Johns. Ch. R. 164. 1 S. & R. 514. 2 Raw. 448. 2 Am. Ju. 210. 12 Mass. 466. Ashm. 417.]

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Sec. XI. All courts shall be open, and every man for an injury done him in his lands, goods, person or reputation, shall have remedy by the due course of law, and right and justice administered, without sale, denial or delay. Suits may be brought

against the Commonwealth in such manner, in such courts, and in such cases as the legislature may by law direct.

Sec. XII. No power of suspending laws shall be exercised, unless by the legislature, or its authority.

Sec. XIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel punishments inflicted.

Sec. XIV. All prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offences, when the proof is evident or presumption great; and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it. Sec. XV. No commission of Öyer and Terminer or jail delivery shall be issued.

Sec. XVI. The person of a debtor, where there is not strong presumption of fraud, shall not be continued in prison, after delivering up his estate for the benefit of his creditors, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law.

Sec. XVII. No ex post facto law, nor any law impairing contracts shall be made. [See 3 Dall. 386, 396. 6 Binn. 271. 8 Wheat. 84, 92, 256. 5 Wheat. 420. 4 Wheat. 122, 309, 518. 6 Wheat. 131. 12 Wheat. 213. 16 Johns. 233. 13 Mass. 16.]

Sec. XVIII. No person shall be attainted of treason or felony by the legislature.

Sec. XIX. No attainder shall work corruption of blood, nor, except during the life of the offender, forfeiture of estate to the commonwealth; the estates of such persons as shall destroy their own