Freedom of Assembly.—­That the people may peaceably assemble to discuss matters of public interest and to petition the government for redress of grievances.  This, of course, does not permit meetings designed to arrange for the commission of crime.

Freedom of Person.—­That there shall be no slavery; nor imprisonment for debt, except in cases of fraud; nor unwarranted searches or seizures of persons or property; that no general warrants shall be issued; that the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, except in certain emergencies; that persons may freely move from place to place.

Security of Property.—­That private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation therefor, previously paid or secured; that to prevent feudal tenure of land, long leases of agricultural land shall not be made, in most states the longest permitted term being twenty-one years.

Right to bear Arms.—­That the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Freedom from Military Tyranny.—­That the military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power; that there shall be no standing army in time of peace; nor shall any soldier in time of peace be quartered in private houses without the consent of the owner.

Forbidden Laws.—­That no ex post facto law, no law impairing the obligation of contracts, nor any bill of attainder shall be passed; that there shall be no special laws in certain specified cases.

Rights of Accused Persons.—­(a) Before trial.  That no unwarranted searches or seizures shall be made; that, except in capital offenses, the accused shall, while awaiting trial, be bailable; that, except in minor cases, a person shall not be held to answer for a criminal offense unless on the presentment or indictment of a grand jury. (b) On trial.  That the accused person shall have a speedy and public trial in the district where the crime was committed; that trial by jury shall remain inviolable; that the accused shall be informed of the nature of the charge against him; that he shall be confronted with the witnesses against him; that he may be heard in his own defense and shall have the benefit of counsel in his behalf; that he shall not be required to witness against himself; that he shall have compulsory process to compel the attendance of witnesses in his behalf; that he shall not be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. (c) After trial.  That no cruel or unusual punishment shall be inflicted; that no one shall twice be placed in jeopardy for the same offense.

Rights not enumerated.—­There is usually a final statement that the enumeration of the above rights shall not be construed to deny or impair others inherent in the people.

COMMENTS ON THE ABOVE.

The rights above enumerated are among those which to us in America to-day seem almost matters of course.  It seems strange that any one ever seriously questioned the fairness or the justice of the claims there set forth.  But in enumerating them we are treading on sacred ground.  Their establishment cost our ancestors hundreds of years of struggle against arbitrary power, in which they gave freely of their blood and treasure.