CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF INDIANA

Approved in Convention at Indianapolis, February 10, 1851
Adopted by the Electorate, effective November 1, 1851
As Amended through July 1, 1993

Article Preamble. Bill of Rights. Suffrage and Election. Distribution of Powers. Legislative. Executive. Administrative. Judicial. Education. State Institutions. Finance. Corporations. Militia. Indebtedness. Boundaries. Miscellaneous. Amendments. Schedule.

PREAMBLE

TO THE END, that justice be established, public order maintained, and liberty perpetuated; WE, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to ALMIGHTY GOD for the free exercise of the right to choose our own form of government, do ordain this Constitution.

ARTICLE 1 Bill of Rights.

Section 1 Inherent and inalienable rights

Section 1. WE DECLARE, That all people are created equal; that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that all power is inherent in the People; and that all free governments are, and of right ought to be, founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and well-being. For the advancement of these ends, the People have, at all times, an indefeasible right to alter and reform their government.

Section 1 Common schools system

Section 1. Knowledge and learning, general diffused throughout a community, being essential to the preservation of a free government; it should be the duty of the General Assembly to encourage, by all suitable means, moral, intellectual scientific, and agricultural improvement; and provide, by law, for a general and uniform system of Common Schools, wherein tuition shall without charge, and equally open to all.

Section 9 Right to free thought, speech, writing and printing; abuse of right

Section 9. No law shall be passed, restraining the free interchange of thought and opinion, or restricting the right to speak, write, or print, freely, on any subject whatever: but for the abuse of that right, every person shall be responsible.