Massachusetts Constitution of 1780
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exclusive right of electing their public teachers, and of contracting with
them for their support and maintenance.
And all monies paid by the subject to the support of public worship,
and of the public teachers aforesaid, shall, if he require it, be uniformly
applied to the support of the public teacher or teachers of his own religious sect of denomination, provided there be any on whose instructions
he attends: otherwise it may be paid towards the support of the teacher
or teachers of the parish or precinct in which the said monies are raised.
And every denomination of christians, demeaning themselves peaceably, and as good subjects of the Commonwealth, shall be equally under
the protection of the law: And no subordination of any one sect or denomination to another shall ever be established by law.
iv.—the people of this Commonwealth have the sole and exclusive
right of governing themselves as a free, sovereign, and independent
state; and do, and forever hereafter shall, exercise and enjoy every power,
jurisdiction, and right, which is not, or may not hereafter, be by them
expressly delegated to the United States of America, in Congress assembled.
v.—all power residing originally in the people, and being derived
from them, the several magistrates and officers of government, vested
with authority, whether legislative, executive, or judicial, are their substitutes and agents, and are at all times accountable to them.
vi.—no man, nor corporation, or association of men, have any other
title to obtain advantages, or particular and exclusive privileges, distinct
from those of the community, than what arises from the consideration of
services rendered to the public; and this title being in nature neither hereditary, nor transmissible to children, or descendants, or relations by
blood, the idea of a man born a magistrate, lawgiver, or judge, is absurd
and unnatural.
vii.—government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people; and not for the profit,
honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men: Therefore the people alone have an incontestible, unalienable, and indefeasible
right to institute government; and to reform, alter, or totally change the
same, when their protection, safety, prosperity and happiness require it.
viii.—in order to prevent those, who are vested with authority, from