20
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DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
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ought any person to be compelled to frequent, or maintain, or contribute, unless
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on contract, to maintain, any place of worship, or any ministry, nor shall any
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Witnesses
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person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness or juror, on
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account of his religious belief; provided, he believes in the existence of God,
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and that under His dispensation such person will be held morally accountable
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for his acts, and be rewarded or punished therefor either in this world or the
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world to come
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Oath of office
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ART 37 That no religious test ought ever to be required as a qualification
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for any office of profit or trust in this State, other than a declaration of belief
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in the existence of God, nor shall the legislature prescribe any other oath of
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office than the oath prescribed by this Constitution
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Disqualification
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ART 38. That every gift, sale, or devise of land, to any minister, public
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of ministers and
religious bodies
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teacher or preacher of the Gospel, as such, or to any religious sect, order or de-
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from holding
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nomination, or to, or for the support, use or benefit of, or in trust for, any
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certain prop-
erty
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minister, public teacher, or preacher of the Gospel, as such, or any religious
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sect, order, or denomination; and every gift or sale of goods, or chattels, to
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go in succession, or to take place after the death of the seller or donor, to or
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for such support, use, or benefit, and also every devise of goods or chattels to
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or for the support, use, or benefit of any minister, public teacher, or preacher
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33 Md 454, 28
Md 339, 3 Md
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of the Gospel, as such, or any religious sect, order, or denomination, without
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119, 1 Bl 629.
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the prior or subsequent sanction of the legislature, shall be void; except
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always, any sale, gift, lease, or devise of any quantity of land, not exceeding
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five acres, for a church, meeting-house, or other house of worship or parsonage,
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or for a burying-ground, which shall be improved, enjoyed, or used only for
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such purpose; or such sale, gift, lease, or devise shall be void.
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Administering
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ART. 39 That the manner of administering an oath 01 affirmation to any
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oaths
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person, ought to be such as those of the religious persuasion, profession, or de-
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nomination, of which he is a member, generally esteem the most effectual con-
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firmation by the attestation of the Divine Being.
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Liberty of the
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ART 40. That the liberty of the press ought to be inviolably preserved;
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press
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that every citizen of the State ought to be allowed to speak, write, and publish
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his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that privilege.
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Monopolies.
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ART 41 That monopolies are odious, contrary to the spirit of a free govern-
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31 Md 316
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ment and the principles of commerce, and ought not to be suffered.
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Titles of
nobility.
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ART. 42 That no title of nobility or hereditary honors ought to be granted
in this State.
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Duties of the
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ART 43 That the legislature ought to encourage the diffusion of knowledge
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legislature.
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and virtue, the extension of a judicious system of general education, the pro-
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motion of literature, the arts, sciences, agriculture, commerce, and manufac-
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tures, and the general melioration of the condition of the people
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Constitutions
apply in war
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ART. 44. That the provisions of the Constitution of the United States, and of
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and peace.
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this State, apply, as well in time of war as in time of peace; and any depart-
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ure therefrom, or violation thereof, under the plea of necessity, or any other
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plea, is subversive of good government, and tends to anarchy and despotism.
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Bights retained
by the people
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ART 45 This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair or deny
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2 Bl 99, 209
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others retained by the people.
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