persons as are deemed slaves by the laws of any one of the United States, so long as any person of the same age or description shall be continued in slavery by the laws of this state: Provided, that such person or slave be the bona fide property of such emigrants; and provided, also, that laws may be passed to prohibit the introduction into this state of slaves who may have committed high crimes in other states. They shall have power to pass laws to permit the owners of slaves to emancipate them, saving the rights of creditors, and preventing them from becoming a public charge. They shall have full power to oblige the owners of slaves to treat them with humanity; to provide for them necessary clothing and provisions; to abstain from all injuries to them, extending to life or limb; and in case of their neglect or refusal to comply with the directions of such laws, to have such slave or slaves sold for the benefit of the owner or owners.

"The introduction of slaves into this state as merchandise, or for sale, shall be prohibited from and after the first day of May, eighteen hundred and thirty-three: Provided, that the actual settler or settlers shall not be prohibited from purchasing slaves in any state in this Union, and bringing them into this state for their own individual use, until the year eighteen hundred and forty-five."

§ 109. Art. 8 of the constitution of Illinois contains a declaration of rights as follows:

"That the general, great, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and unalterably established, we declare :

"That 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, and of acquiring, possessing, and protecting pro

perty and reputation, and of pursuing their own happi

ness.

"That all power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and happiness.

"That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty 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.

"That no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under this

state.

"That elections shall be free and equal.

"That the right of the trial by jury shall remain inviolate.

"That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and possessions, from unreasonable searches and seizures; and that general warrants, whereby an officer may be commanded to search suspected places without evidence of the fact committed, or to seize any person or persons not named, whose offences are not particularly described, and supported by evidence, are dangerous to liberty, and ought not to be granted.

"That no freeman shall be imprisoned or disseized of his freehold, liberties, or privileges, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any manner deprived of his life, liberty, or property, but by the judgment of his peers, or the law of the land. And all lands which have been granted as a common to the inhabitants of any town, hamlet, village, or corporation, by any person, body politic or cor

porate, or by any government having power to make such grant, shall for ever remain common to the inhabitants of such town, hamlet, village, or corporation: and the said commons shall not be leased, sold, or divided, under any pretence whatever: Provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be so construed as to affect the commons of Cahokia or Prairie Dupont: Provided, also, that the general assembly shall have power and authority to grant the same privilege to the inhabitants of the said villages of Cahokia and Prairie Dupont as are hereby granted to the inhabitants of other towns, hamlets, and villages.

“That in all criminal prosecutions, the accused hath a right to be heard by himself and counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him; to meet the witnesses face to face; to have compulsory process to compel the attendance of witnesses in his favor; and in prosecutions by indictment or informa tion, a speedy public trial, by an impartial jury of the vicinage and that he shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself.

"That no person shall, for any indictable offence, be proceeded against criminally, by information, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or the militia when in actual service, in time of war or public danger, by leave of the courts, for oppression or misdemeanor in office.

"No person shall, for the same offence, be twice put in jeopardy of his life or limb; nor shall any man's property be taken or applied to public use without the consent of his representatives in the general assembly, nor without just compensation being made to him.

"Every person within this state ought to find a certain remedy in the laws, for all injuries or wrongs which he may receive in his person, property, or character: he ought to obtain right and justice freely, and without being

obliged to purchase it; completely, and without denial; promptly and without delay, conformably to the laws.

"That all persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offences, where the proof is evident or the 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.

"All penalties shall be proportioned to the nature of the offence; the true design of all punishments being to reform, and not to exterminate mankind.

"No person shall be imprisoned for debt, unless upon refusal to deliver up his estate for the benefit of his creditors, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law, or in cases where there is strong presumption of fraud.

"No ex post facto law, nor any law impairing the validity of contracts shall ever be made; and no conviction shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture of

estate.

"That no person shall be liable to be transported out of this state for any offence committed within the same. "That a frequent recurrence to the fundamental principles of civil government is absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty.

"That the people have a right to assemble together in a peaceable manner, to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to the general assembly for redress of grievances.

"That the mode of levying a tax shall be by valua tion; so that every person shall pay a tax in proportion to the value of the property he or she has in his or her possession.

"That there shall be no other banks or moneyed institutions in this state but those already provided by law, except a state bank and its branches, which may be es

tablished and regulated by the general assembly of the state, as they may think proper.

"That printing presses shall be free to every person who undertakes to examine the proceedings of the general assembly, or of 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, or 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 acting in a political 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 the right of determining both the law and the fact, under the direction of the court, as in other cases.

110. The constitution of the state of Illinois provides the legislative power shall be vested in a general assembly, consisting of a senate and a house of representatives, elected by the people.

The representatives are elected for two years by qualified electors, and are apportioned among the several counties.

The senators are elected for four years, and are divided into two classes, each holding the seats two years.

The number of representatives is never less than twenty-seven nor more than thirty-six, and the number of the senators never less than one-third or more than one-half the number of representatives.

Each house elects its own officers, except the speaker of the senate, and judges of the election and qualifications of its own members.

Each house keeps a journal of proceedings, determines its own rules, punishes its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the consent of two-thirds, expels a member.