The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-10-16
iron THE ~BANNER.]
Public Meeting in. Clarendon.

'"o l'coI'oo CiuicluoH Nounly, was nciu III
buckingham Mills, OH the Bird. Oct. inst,
for the purpose of organizing u Southern
Rights Association.
On motion Of Maj. Owens, Col. J. p.
Richardson was called to the Chair, and DR..
Jas. McCauly, and Mr.. J. j. Conycrs were
requested 10 act as Secretaries.
On taking the Chair, Col. Richardson de-
livcred a most able and interesting address
at the conclusion of (which, DR.. j.. ]. Ing
ram, in a neat and appropriate speech, sub
mittcd u Constitution, for the government
of the Association, and was followed by DR..
McCauly, who entertained the meeting, for
near an hour, in n truly eloquent and i'm
prcssivc speech. The following is the pa-
per thcn submitted, and unanimously adopt
ed.
Impressed rs we are, with the solemn
conviction, that Southern rights and ins,i-
tutions arc etnincn,ly, (nnd premeditatelyD
endangered by tho late measures Of the
General Governments; believing that the
peaccable enjoyment Of them is no longer
compatible with our existing relations to this
confederacy; and feeling ourselves forced,
by the aggressive character Of its recent To-
gislation on our right Of property, (both in
tho Territories, and in the District of Column.
bin,) to decide between the Union and our
Institutions; 1--WE, the People" of Clarcn-
don, while invoking, as we now do, tha, pre-
lection from our State, which as a Soyc-
reign, she is bound TO accord to our a)lcri-
unce-at the same time, do solcmIy pledge
ourselves, by all the considerations of honor
as men, as well as Of duty rs citizens, to aid,
support and obey her, in maintaining her
rights and independence, or in any such
course of action US she may think proper to
pursue, in resisting tho cncroachncnts of
1.-THE Government of the United States" on
the property, the interests, or the equality
of the Slave-holding States Of this Union.
In view, therefore, Of an issue, so painful
but inevitable to us; in compliance with n
sense of duty so clear, and SO imperative on
the South, TO meet it; in thus deliberately
forming this, our determination, to- pursue
our rights or perish in their defence and To
render, with rcadicst n%lacri,y, our para-
mount allegiance to South Carolina aud her
sovereign bchcsts, in any contest she may
he forced to wage, in maintaining them.
BE it therefore Resolved, That we do now,
organise and constitute our ourselves, into
san Association" for the defence of South
ern rights and ntercsts-the objects and
rules of which we hereby pledge our
lives and our honor, TO support and OBJ
serve, until the wrongs of the Slnye-bold.
ing Suites arc fully satisfied or riedressed,
and in earnest whereof. we do herewith
adopt the following
CONSTITUTIONS.
ARTICLE lsr.-Thc officers of this .Asso-
citation shall consist OF Il President, 6 Vice
Presidents, . Secretaries, a Treasurer, n
Committee Of Correspondence and a Com
mittcc of Safety and Vigilance, 10 be com
posed of nine members each
ART. 2nd.-In addition TO the ordinary
duty Of presiding over lis deliberations, the
President shull also be empowered to con-
woke meetings OF this, and appoin, delegates
to attend conventions of other affiliated as
solutions and, in any emergency Of the
State, 60 rcpel force or aggrcssion,) he is
herewith required 10 call ont the mhole or
any part o! tho members Of this body to be
tpnr.h,ll,j ,,,l,s H., -.
cd authorities.
ART. 3rd.-Thc Vice Presidents, with the
consent or by the direction Of the President,
shall hold meetings ofsuch members Us may
reside i'll their several vicinit.cs, and re.
port the proceedings Of the SANG, a, the
the mex, general meeting of the Associn.
ton. /, shall also be their duty TO extend II
their respective ncighhorhoo,ls, such no.
tees or Information rs tho President may
desire 10 communicate 10 the members o,
this Society.
ART. lth.-lt shall be the duty of tho
Committee Of Correspondence, to enroll the
names Of members, and receive collections
in their vicinitics-to communicate will
other Southern Associations, and with or
State authorities: and from time to time
furnish the President ard members of tho
Association, with any information, they may
deem promolivc of the objects of this organ
iZalion.
Ant. 5th.--It shall b. the duty Of the
Committee Of Safety and Vigilance, 10 de-
,cc!, prosecute and rcpor, all attempts 10
corrupt our slavcs-and TO disseminate abol.
i.ion-,o produce Observation-Disclosures other
wise impair the poaccnblc enjoyment OF onr
domestic institutions. They shall also, from
the roll OF the Secretaries. organize all the
members OF this Association, under thirty
five years of age, :n.oa military corps, 10 be
called the minute Men," and who. with
their arms, officers, uniforms, and equip
mcnts, shall be ready 10 march TO the point
of danger, at an instant's warning. The
officer appointed to command the "Minuto
), Men, shnll rank rs canIain- until called in.