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America’s First Constitutions and Declarations of Rights
liberty; and that in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.
XIV. That the people have a right to uniform government; and therefore, that no government separate from or independent of the government of Virginia, ought to be erected or established within the limits
thereof.
XV. That no free government, or the blessing of liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation,
temperance, frugality and virtue, and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.
XVI. That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the
manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction,
not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the
free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that
it is the duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity towards each other.