Mo. Const. art. I, § 2. Promotion of general welfare — natural rights of persons — equality under the law — purpose of government

That all constitutional government is intended to promote the general welfare of the people; that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry; that all persons are created equal and are entitled to equal rights and opportunity under the law; that to give security to these things is the principal office of government, and that when government does not confer this security, it fails in its chief design. [Effective - 27 Feb 1945 , see footnote]