founded in compact only, and instituted solely for the good of the whole; and they have at all times the unalienable right to alter, reform, or abolish their form of government in such manner as they may deem expedient.
Art. 3. That the people of this State ought to have the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police thereof.
Art. 4. That the inhabitants of Maryland are entitled to the common law of England, and the trial by jury according to the course of that law, and to the benefit of such of the English statutes as existed on the fourth day of July, seventeen hundred and seventy-six, and which, by experience, have been found applicable to their local and other circumstances, and have been introduced, used, and practised by the courts of law or equity, and also of all acts of assembly in force on the first day of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, except such as may have since expired or may be inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution, subject, nevertheless, to the revision of and amendment or repeal by the legislature of this State; and the inhabitants of Maryland are also entitled to all property derived to them from or under the charter granted by His Majesty Charles the First to Cecillus Calvert, Baron of Baltimore.
Art. 5. The Constitution of the United States and the laws made in pursuance thereof being the supreme law of the land, every citizen of this State owes paramount allegiance to the Constitution and Government of the United States, and is not bound by any law or ordinance of this State in contravention or subversion thereof.
Art. 6. That all persons invested with the legislative or executive powers of government are the trustees of the public, and as such accountable for their conduct; wherefore, whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may and of right ought to reform the old or establish a new government. The doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurb, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.
Art. 7. That the right of the people to participate in the legislature is the best security of liberty and the foundation of all free government; for this purpose elections ought to be free and frequent, and every free white male citizen, having the qualifications prescribed by the constitution, ought to have the right of suffrage.
Art. 8. That the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government ought to be forever separate and distinct from each other, and no person exercising the functions of one of said departments shall assume or discharge the duties of any other.
Art. 9. That no power of suspending laws or the execution of laws, unless by or derived from the legislature, ought to be exercised or allowed.
Art. 10. That freedom of speech and debate, or proceedings in the legislature, ought not to be impeached in any court of judicature.
Art. 11. That Annapolis be the place for the meeting of the legislature, and the legislature ought not to be convened or held at any other place but for evident necessity.
