CONSTITUTION OF MICHIGAN
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4/30/2008 3:12 AM
CONSTITUTION OF MICHIGAN
OF
1835
In convention, begun at the city of Detroit, on the second Monday of May, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty five:
Preamble.
We, the PEOPLE of the territory of Michigan, as established by the Act of Congress of the Eleventh day of January, in the year one thousand eight hundred and five, in
conformity to the fifth article of the ordinance providing for the government of the territory of the United States, North West of the River Ohio, believing that the time has
arrived when our present political condition ought to cease, and the right of self-government be asserted; and availing ourselves of that provision of the aforesaid
ordinance of the congress of the United States of the thirteenth day of July, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and the acts of congress passed in accordance
therewith, which entitle us to admission into the Union, upon a condition which has been fulfilled, do, by our delegates in convention assembled, mutually agree to form
ourselves into a free and independent state, by the style and title of "The State of Michigan," and do ordain and establish the following constitution for the government of
the same.
ARTICLE I
BILL OF RIGHTS
Political power.
First. All political power is inherent in the people.
Right of the people.
2. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people; and they have the right at all times to alter or reform the same, and to abolish one form
of government and establish another, whenever the public good requires it.
No exclusive privileges.
3. No man or set of men are entitled to exclusive or separate privileges.
Religious worship.
4. Every person has a right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of his own conscience; and no person can of right be compelled to attend, erect, or support,
against his will, any place of reli