FACSIMILE OF FIRST PAGE OF THE SECOND CONSTITUTION OF OHIO, 1851 The original is preserved in the office of the secretary of state, Columbus, Ohio THE SECOND CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF OHIO DONE IN CONVENTION AT CINCINNATI, We the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote the common welfare, do establish this Constitution. SECTION 1. All men are, by nature, free and independent, and have certain inalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and seeking and obtaining happiness and safety. SEC. 2. All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their equal protection and benefit, and they have the right to alter, reform, or abolish the same, whenever they may deem it necessary; and no special privileges or immunities shall ever be granted that may not be altered, revoked, or repealed by the General Assembly. SEC. 3. The people have the right to assemble together, in a peaceable manner, to consult for their common good; to instruct their representatives; and to petition the General Assembly for the redress of griev ances. SEC. 4. The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security; but standing armies, in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, and shall not be kept up; and the military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power. SEC. 5. The right of trial by jury shall be inviolate. SEC. 6. There shall be no slavery in this state, nor involuntary servitude unless for the punishment of crime. SEC. 7. All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience. No person shall be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship or maintain any form of worship, against his consent; and no preference shall be given, by law, to any religious society; nor shall any interference with the rights of conscience be permitted. No religious test shall be required as a qualification for office, nor shall any person be incompetent to be a witness on account of his religious belief; but nothing herein shall be construed to dispense with oaths and affirmations. Religion, morality, and knowledge, however, being essential to good government, it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to pass suitable laws to protect every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship, and to encourage schools, and the means of instruction. SEC. 8. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety requires it. SEC. 9. All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses where the proof is evident, or the presumption great. Excessive bail shall not be required; nor excessive fines imposed; nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted. SEC. 10. Except in cases of impeachment, and cases |