Constitution of Tennessee
1870
Tennessee has operated under four constitutions, with the current document ratified in 1870 during the post-Civil War Reconstruction period. The 1870 constitution replaced the Reconstruction-era constitution of 1865 and reflected the priorities of white conservative Democrats who regained control of state government after the brief period of Republican Reconstruction, rolling back several provisions that had been imposed during federal occupation. It established the framework for Tennessee governance that persists today, including a bicameral legislature, a governor limited in successive terms, and a judiciary selected through popular election. The document has been amended many times since its adoption but its core structure has remained largely intact for more than 150 years.
Preamble
We, the people of the State of Tennessee, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy, acknowledging our dependence on Him for the continuance of those blessings to us and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article I — Declaration of Rights
Section 1. That all power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and happiness; for the advancement of those ends they have at all times, an unalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform, or abolish the government in such manner as they may think proper. Section 2. That government being instituted for the common benefit, the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind. Section 3. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience; that no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain any minister against his consent; that no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience; and that no preference shall ever be given, by law, to any religious establishment or mode of worship. Section 7. That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions, from unreasonable searches and seizures; and that general warrants, whereby an officer may be commanded to search suspected places, without evidence of the fact committed, or to seize any person or persons not named, whose offences are not particularly described and supported by evidence, are dangerous to liberty and ought not to be granted.