THE NEW CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, RATIFIED BY THE PEOPLE, JULY 2, 1870. New-York: JOHN W. AMERMAN, PRINTER, No. 47 CEDAR STREET. 1871. Woodward 4-18-36 THE CONSTITUTION. PREAMBLE. WE, the people of the State of Illinois-grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations-in order to form a more perfect government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois. ARTICLE I. The boundaries and jurisdiction of the State shall be as follows, to wit: Beginning at the mouth of the Wabash river, thence up the same, and with the line of Indiana, to the north-west corner of said State, thence east with the line of the same State, to the middle of Lake Michigan; thence north along the middle of said lake, to north latitude forty-two degrees and thirty minutes; thence west to the middle of the Mississippi river, and thence down along the middle of that river to its confluence with the Ohio river, and thence up the latter river, along its north-western shore to the place of beginning: Provided, That this State shall exercise such jurisdiction upon the Ohio river as she is now entitled to, or such as may hereafter be agreed upon by this State and the State of Kentucky. ARTICLE II. Bill of Rights. SECTION I. All men are by nature free and independent, and have certain inherent and inalienable rights-among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights and the protection of property, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. § 2. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law. § 3. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be guaranteed; and no person shall be denied any civil or political right, privilege or capacity, on account of his religious opinions; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be construed to dispense with oaths or affirmations, excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the State. No person shall be required to attend or support any ministry or I 124575 |