That all elections shall be free and equal.

PERSONAL SECURITY.—­In the interests of the personal security of the citizen it is provided: 

That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and possessions, from unreasonable seizures and searches;

That warrants to seize and to search persons and things must describe them by oath or affirmation;

That there shall be no imprisonment for debt, except in cases of fraud.

PRIVATE PROPERTY.—­To secure the rights of private property, the bill declares: 

That private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation;

And, in some States, that long leases of agricultural lands shall not be made.

FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE.—­To induce the entire freedom of conscience of the citizen it is declared: 

That there shall be perfect religious freedom, but not covering immoral practices;

That there shall be no State church;

That no religious test shall be required for performing any public function;

That the rights of conscience are free from human control.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND OF THE PRESS.—­To maintain the rightful freedom of the press, the bill guarantees: 

That printing-presses may be used by all;

That every citizen may freely speak, write, and print upon any subject—­being responsible for the abuse of the right.

FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY.—­The right of assembly is secured by the provision: 

That the people may peaceably assemble for the public good, to discuss questions of public interest; and

That they may petition the government for redress of grievances.

FREEDOM FROM MILITARY TYRANNY.—­To guard against abuses by the military, it is declared: 

That the military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power;

That no standing army shall be maintained in time of peace;

That in time of peace no soldier shall be quartered in any house without the owner’s consent;

That the right of people to bear arms shall not be questioned.  This does not authorize the carrying of concealed weapons.

FORBIDDEN LAWS.—­To insure the people against improper legislation, the bill of rights provides: 

That no ex post facto law or law impairing the validity of contracts, shall be made;

That no bill of attainder shall be passed;

That no power of suspending laws shall be exercised except by the legislature.

RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED.—­Among the worst abuses of tyranny in all ages have been the corruption of the courts and the denial of the rights of common justice.  To guard against these it is expressly provided: 

That the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it;