I. PREAMBLE. OHIO. We, the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessing, and promote our common welfare, do establish this Constitution. Similar provisions in sentiment and phraseology: Ala., Cal., Col., Fla., Ga., Idaho, Iowa, Kan., Me., Mich., Miss., Mo., Neb Nev., N. Y., Ore., S. C., Utah, Wash., Wis. Similar in sentiment and phraseology, with expression of gratitude for "civil and religious liberty": Ark., Ill., Ky., La., Minn., Md., N. M., N. J., N. C., N. D., Pa., R. I.,. S. D., Wyo. Tennessee devotes its whole preamble to statement of the national and state laws, by virtue of which the constitution may be submitted to the people for adoption. Virginia has a similar provision. TYPICAL PROVISIONS. Arizona. We, the people of the state of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this constitution. Conn. The people of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good providence of God, in having permitted them to enjoy a free government, do, in order more effectually to define, secure, and perpetuate the liberties, rights and privileges which they have derived from their ancestors, hereby, after a careful consideration and revision, ordain and establish the following constitution and form of civil government. Del. Through divine goodness, all men have by nature the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences, of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring and protecting reputation and property,and in general of attaining objects suitable to their condition, without injury by one to another; and as these rights are essential to their welfare, for the due exercise thereof, power is inherent in them; and therefore all just authority in the institution of political society is derived from the people, and established with their consent, to advance their happiness; and they 3 may for this end, as circumstances require, from time to time, alter their constitution of government. Okla. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessing of liberty; to secure just and rightful government; to promote our mutual welfare and happiness, we, the people of the state of Oklahoma, do ordain and establish this constitution. Texas. Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the state of Texas do ordain and establish this constitution. II. I. BILL OF RIGHTS. OHIO A I, S 1. All men are, by nature, free and independ- 1. ent, 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. (1) Similar provisions in sentiment and phraseology: Ala. A 1, S 1; Ark. A 2, S 2; Cal. A 1, S 1; Col. A 2, S 3; Kan. B. of R. S 1; N. H. pt 1, A 2. (2) Similar, except "free and equal": (or words to that effect) are Fla. D. of R. S 1: Id. 1, A S 1; Ind. A 1, S 1; Iowa A 1, S 1; Me. A 1, (3) Typical provisions: Ill. A 2, S 1. 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. Okla. A 2, S 2. All persons have the inherent right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry. Pa. A I, S I. 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, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness. Va. A 1, S 1. That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety. Wyo. A 1, S2, & 3. S 2. In their inherent right to life. liberty and the pursuit of happiness, all members of the human race are equal. Inalienable S 3. Since equality in the enjoyment of natural and civil OHIO A 1, S 2. All political power is inherent in the people. * Me. L. R. 7, 8; N. J. A 1, S. C. Ala. A 1, S 2; Ark. A 2, S 1; Cal. A 1, S 2; Conn. A 1, S 2; Ga. A 1, A 1, S 1; Wyo. A 1, S 1. Ariz. A 2, S 2. All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights. Colo. A 2, S 1. That all political power is vested and derived from the people; that all government, of right, originates from the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole. Similar provisions, except that such change shall not be repugnant to the constitution of the U. S.: Colo. A 2, S 2; Fla. D. of R. S 2; Md. D. of R. A 1; Miss. A 3, S 6; Mo. A 2, S 2; Mont. A 3, S 1 & 2; Wash. A 1, S 1; N. C. A 1, S2 & 3; Okla. A 2, S 1; S. D. A 6, S 26. Ga. A 1, S 5. The people of this state have the inherent, sole and exclusive right of regulating their internal government, and the police thereof, and of altering and abolishing their constitution whenever it may be necessary to their safety and happiness. Ky. B of R, S 2. Absolute and arbitrary power over the lives, liberty and property of freemen exists nowhere in a republic, not even in the largest majority. La. A I, S I. All government, of right, originates with the people, is founded on their will alone and is instituted solely for the good of the whole. Its only legitimate end is to secure justice for all, preserve peace and promote the interest and happiness of the people. |