Connecticut Constitutional Convention of 1818

“ 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. ”

“ Every citizen has a right to bear arms in defence of himself and the state.
§ 18. The military shall, in all cases, and at all times, be in strict subordination to the civil power.
§ 19. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
§ 20. No hereditary emoluments, privileges or honors, shall ever be granted, or conferred in this state.
§ 21. The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate. ”

“ The supreme executive power of the State shall be vested in a Governor, who shall be chose by the electors of the State, and shall hold his office for one year from the first Wednesday of May next succeeding his election, and until his successor be duly qualified. No person who is not an elector of this State, and who has not arrived at the age of thirty years, shall be eligible. ”

“ And each and every society or denomination of Christians in this State, shall have and enjoy the same and equal powers, rights and privileges; and shall have power and authority to support and maintain the ministers or teachers of their respective denominations, and to build and repair houses for public worship, by a tax on the members of any such society only, to be laid by a major vote of the legal voters assembled at any society meeting, warned and held according to law, or in any other manner. ”

“ That all men when they form a social compact, are equal in rights; and that no man or set of men are entitled to exclusive public emoluments or privileges from the community.
§ 2. That all political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit; and that they have at all times an undeniable and indefeasible right to alter their form of government in such manner as they may think expedient. ”

“ It being the duty of all men to worship the Supreme Being, the Great Creator and Preserver of the Universe, and their right to render that worship, in the mode most consistent with the dictates of their consciences; no person shall by law be compelled to join or support, nor be classed with, or associated to, any congregation, church or religious association. ”

“ The exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be free to all persons in this state, provided that the right hereby declared and established, shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or to justify practices inconsistent with the peace and safety of the state. ”

“ No Judge of the Superior Court, or of the Supreme Court of Errors; no member of Congress; no person holding any office under the authority of the United States; no person holding the office of Treasurer, Secretary, or Controller; no Sheriff or Sheriff’s deputy, shall be a member of the General Assembly.
Article Eleventh.
OF AMENDMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION.
Whenever a majority of the House of Representatives shall deem it necessary to alter, or amend this Constitution, they may propose such alterations and amendments ”

“ If no person shall have a majority of the whole number of said votes, or if two or more shall have an equal and the greatest number of said votes, then said Assembly, on the second day of their session, by joint ballot of both houses, shall proceed, without debate, to choose a Governor from a list of the names of the two persons having the greatest number of votes, or of the names of the persons having an equal and highest number of votes so returned as aforesaid. ”

“ He shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property, but by due course of law. And no person shall be holden to answer for any crime, the punishment of which may be death or imprisonment for life, unless on a presentment or an indictment of a grand jury ”

“ The party convicted, shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, trial, and punishment according to law.
§ 4. Treason against the State shall consist only in levying war against it, or adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court. No conviction of treason, or attainder, shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture. ”

“ The Senate shall consist of twelve members, to be chosen annually by the electors.
§ 5. At the meetings of the electors, held in the several towns in this state in April annually, after the election of Representatives, the electors present shall be called upon to bring in their written ballots for Senators. The presiding officer shall receive the votes of the electors, and count and declare them in open meeting. The presiding officer shall also make duplicate lists of the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each, which shall be certified by the presiding officer ”

“ All persons who have been, or shall hereafter, previous to the ratification of this Constitution, be admitted freemen, according to the existing laws of this State, shall be electors.
§ 2. Every white male citizens of the United States, who shall have gained a settlement in this State, attained the age of twenty-one years; and resided in the town in which he may offer himself to be admitted to the privilege of an elector, at least six months preceding ”

“ All courts shall be open, and every person, for an injury done him in his person, property or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law, and right and justice administered without sale, denial or delay. ”

“ The citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble for their common good, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government, for redress of grievances, or other proper purposes, by petition, address or remonstrance. ”

“ Laws shall be made to support the privilege of free suffrage, prescribing the manner of regulating and conducting meetings of the electors, and prohibiting, under adequate penalties, all undue influence therein, from power, bribery, tumult and other improper conduct. ”

“ When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present. When the Governor is impeached, the Chief Justice shall preside. ”