As finally adopted by the Convention of the People assembled at Providence, on the 18th day of November, 1841.
WE, the PEOPLE of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, grateful to Almighty God for His blessing vouchsafed to the “lively experiment” of Religious and Political Freedom here “held forth” by our venerated ancestors, and earnestly imploring the favor of His gracious Providence toward this our attempt to secure, upon a permanent foundation, the advantages of well ordered and rational Liberty, and to enlarge and transmit to our successors the inheritance that we have received, do ordain and establish the following CONSTITUTION of Government for this State:
ARTICLE I.
DECLARATIONS OF PRINCIPLES AND RIGHTS.
1. In the spirit of and in the words of Roger Williams, the illustrious founder of this state, and of his venerated associates, We declare “that this government shall be a Democracy,” or government of the PEOPLE, “by the major consent” of the same, “ONLY IN CIVIL THINGS.” The will of the people shall be expressed by representatives freely chosen, and returning at fixed periods to their constituents. This state shall be and forever remain, as in the design of its founder, sacred to “Soul Liberty,” to the rights of conscience, to freedom of thought, of expression and of action, as hereinafter set forth and secured.
2. All men are created free and equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, the acquisition of property and the pursuit of happiness. Government cannot create or bestow these rights which are the gift of God, but it is instituted for the stronger and surer defence of the same; that men may safely enjoy the rights of life and liberty, securely possess and transmit property, and so far as laws avail may be successful in the pursuit of happiness.
3. All political power and sovereignty are originally vested in and of right belong to the People. All free governments are founded in their authority and are established for the greatest good of the whole number. The People have therefore an inalienable and indefeasible right in their original, sovereign and unlimited capacity to ordain and institute government, and in the same capacity to alter, reform, or totally change the same, whenever their safety or happiness requires.
4. No favor or disfavor ought to be shown in legislation toward any man, or party, or society, or religious denomination. The laws should be made not for the good of the few, but of the many, and the burdens of the state ought to be fairly distributed among its citizens.
5. The diffusion of useful knowledge and the cultivation of a sound morality in the fear of God being of the first importance in a republican state, and indispensable to the maintenance of its liberty, it shall be an imperative duty of the legislature to promote the establishment of free schools and to assist in the support of public education.
6. Every person in this state ought to find a certain remedy by having recourse to the laws, for all injuries or wrongs which may be done to his rights of person, property or character. He ought to obtain right and justice freely and without purchase, completely and without denial, promptly and without delay, conformably to the laws.
7. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrant shall issue but on complaint in writing upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and describing, as nearly as may be, the place to be searched, and the person or things to be seized.