That the ancient mode of trial by jury shall be maintained; but civil suits, by consent of the parties, may be tried without a jury;
That all persons injured in lands, goods, person, or reputation shall have remedy by course of law;
That the accused shall be informed of the nature of the charges against him;
That he shall be confronted by the witnesses against him;
That he shall be heard in his own defense, and may have the benefit of counsel;
That he shall not be required to testify against himself;
That he shall not be deprived of life, liberty, or property except by due process of law;
That no cruel or unusual punishment shall be inflicted;
That no one shall be twice placed in jeopardy for the same offense.
No citizen of the United States would deny the justice of these declarations. They are so reasonable it seems strange that they should ever have been questioned. "But in enumerating them we are treading on sacred ground. Their establishment cost our ancestors hundreds of years of struggle against arbitrary power, in which they gave their blood and treasure."[2]