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435 Appendix K The Kentucky Constitution The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky (1891) Preamble We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy, and invoking the continuance of these blessings, do ordain and establish this Constitution. Bill of Rights Section 1: Rights of life, liberty, worship, pursuit of safety and happiness, free speech, acquiring and protecting property, peaceable assembly, redress of grievances, bearing arms. All men are, by nature, free and equal, and have certain inherent and inalienable rights, among which may be reckoned: First: The right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties. Second: The right of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences . Third: The right of seeking and pursuing their safety and happiness. Fourth: The right of freely communicating their thoughts and opinions. Fifth: The right of acquiring and protecting property. Sixth: The right of assembling together in a peaceable manner for their common good, and of applying to those invested with the power of government for redress of grievances or other proper purposes, by petition, address or remonstrance. Seventh: The right to bear arms in defense of themselves and of the State, subject to the power of the General Assembly to enact laws to prevent persons from carrying concealed weapons. Text as Ratified on: August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. History: Not yet amended. Section 2: Absolute and arbitrary power denied. Absolute and arbitrary power over the lives, liberty and property of freemen exists nowhere in a republic, not even in the largest majority. Text as Ratified on: August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. History: Not yet amended. 436 Appendix K Section 3: Men are equal—No exclusive grant except for public services—Property not to be exempted from taxation—Grants revocable. All men, when they form a social compact, are equal; and no grant of exclusive, separate public emoluments or privileges shall be made to any man or set of men, except in consideration of public services; but no property shall be exempt from taxation except as provided in this Constitution, and every grant of a franchise, privilege or exemption, shall remain subject to revocation, alteration or amendment. Text as Ratified on: August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. History: Not yet amended. Section 4: Power inherent in the people—Right to alter, reform, or abolish government. All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their peace, safety, happiness and the protection of property. For the advancement of these ends, they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may deem proper. Text as Ratified on: August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. History: Not yet amended. Section 5: Right of religious freedom. No preference shall ever be given by law to any religious sect, society or denomination; nor to any particular creed, mode of worship or system of ecclesiastical polity; nor shall any person be compelled to attend any place of worship, to contribute to the erection or maintenance of any such place, or to the salary or support of any minister of religion; nor shall any man be compelled to send his child to any school to which he may be conscientiously opposed; and the civil rights, privileges or capacities of no person shall be taken away, or in anywise diminished or enlarged, on account of his belief or disbelief of any religious tenet, dogma or teaching . No human authority shall, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience. Text as Ratified on: August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. History: Not yet amended. Section 6: Elections to be free and equal. All elections shall be free and equal. Text as Ratified on: August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. History: Not yet amended. Section 7: Right of trial by jury. The ancient mode of trial by jury shall be held sacred, and the right thereof remain inviolate , subject to such modifications as may be authorized by this Constitution. Text as Ratified on: August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. History: Not yet amended. Section 8: Freedom of speech and of the press. Printing presses shall be free to every person who undertakes to examine the proceedings of the General Assembly or any branch of government, and no law...

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