Page:Revised Statutes of the State of North Carolina - Volume 1.djvu/32

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DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

Sect. 11. That general warrants, whereby any officer or messenger may be commanded to search suspected places, without evidence of the fact committed, or to seize any person or persons not named, whose offence is not particularly described and supported by evidence, are dangerous to liberty and ought not to be granted.

Sect. 12. That no freeman ought to be taken, imprisoned or disseized, of his freehold, liberties, or privileges, or outlawed or exiled, or in any manner destroyed or deprived of his life, liberty or property, but by the law of the land.

Sect. 13. That every freeman restrained of his liberty, is entitled to a remedy to inquire into the lawfulness thereof, and to remove the same if unlawful, and that such remedy ought not to be denied or delayed.

Sect. 14. That in all controversies of law, respecting property, the ancient mode of trial by jury is one of the best securities of the rights of the people, and ought to remain sacred and inviolable.

Sect. 15. That the freedom of the press is one of the bulwarks of liberty, and, therefore, ought never to be restrained.

Sect. 16. That the people of this State ought not to be taxed or made subject to the payment of any impost or duty without the consent of themselves or their representatives in General Assembly, freely given.

Sect. 17. That the people have a right to bear arms for the defense of the State; and, as standing armies in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up; and that the military should be kept under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.

Sect. 18. That the people have a right to assembly together, to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to the legislature, for redress of grievances.

Sect. 19. That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.

Sect. 20. That for redress of grievances, and for amending and strengthening the laws, elections ought to be often held.

Sect. 21. That a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings or liberty.

Sect. 22.That no hereditary emoluments, privileges or honors, ought to be granted or conferred in this State.