116 AUTHENTIC HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 



worship Almigbt J God according to the dictates of their own consciences ; 

 that no man can, of right, be compelled to attend, erect, or support any 

 place of worship, or to maintain any ministry against his consent ; that no 

 human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the 

 rights of conscience ; and that no preference shall ever be given by law, 

 to any religious establishments or modes of worship. 



Section IY. That 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 ofiice or place of trust or 

 profit under this commonwealth. 



Section V. That elections shall be free and equal. 



Section YI. That trial by jury shall be as heretofore, and the right 

 thereof remain inviolate. 



Section YII. That 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 mat- 

 ter 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. 



Section YIII. That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, 

 papers and possessions from unreasonable searches and seizures: And 

 that 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. 



Section IX. That, in all criminal prosecutions, the accused hath a 

 right to be heard by himself and his council, 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: That 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. 



Section X. That no person shall, for any indictable offense, be pro- 

 ceeded 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 mis- 

 demeanor in office. No person shall, for the same offense, be twice put 



