The true Democrat., 1855-08-21
CONSTITUTION
 OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL

ARTICLE FIRST.
 This organization shall be known by the name and title of THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AME- RIGA, and its jurisdiction and power shall ex- tend to all the States, Districts and Territories of the United States of North America.
 ARTICLE SECOND. | The object of this organization shall be to protect every American citizen in the legal and proper exercise of all his civil and religious rights and privileges; to resist the insidious policy of the Church of Rome, and all other foreign influences against our republican institu- tlons, in all lawful ways; to place in all offices of honor, trust or profit in the gift of the people, or by appointment, none but native born Pro- testant citizens; and to protect, preserve and uphold the union of these States and the Con- stitution of the same.
 ARTICLE THIRD.
 l. A person to become member of any subordinate council must be twenty-one years of age, he must believe in the existence of A Supreme Being as the Creator and Preserver of the Universe. lie must be native born citi- zen; a Protestant; either born of Protestant parents or reared under Protestant influence; and not united in marriage with Roman Ca- tholic: provided, nevertheless, that in this last respect, the State, District or Territorial coun- cils shall be authorized to so construct their re- spectIve constitutions, as shall best promote the interest of the American cause in their several jurisdictions; and provided, moreover, that 10 member who may have a Roman Catholic wife shall be eligible to office in this order; and provided, further, should any State, district or territorial council prefer the words Roman Catholc'' as disqualification to membership, in place of " Protestant" as a qualification, they may so consider this constitution and go- vern their actions accordingly. 3 2. There shall be an interval of three weeks between the conferrng of the first and second degrees; and of three months between the conferring of the second and third degrees provided, that this restriction shall not apply to those who may have received the second de- gree previous to the first day of December next; and provided further that the president of State, district and territorial councils may grant dis pensations for initiating i'll all the degrees off, cers of new councils.
 3. The national council shall hold it's an- nual meetings on the first Tuesday in the month of une, at such place as may be designated by the national council at the previous annual meeting and It may adjourn from time to time. Special meetings nay be called by the president on the written request of five delegations repre- senting five State councils; provided that sixty days notice shall be given to the State councils previous to said meeting.
 4. The national council shall be composed of seven delegates from each State, to be chosen by the State councils; and each district or ter ritory, where a district or territorial council shall exist, shall be entitled to send two dele- gates, to be chosen from said councl-provided, that in the nomination of candidates for Presi. dent and Vice President of the United States, each State shall be entitled to cast the same number Of votes as they shall have members in both Houses of Congress. h all sessions of the national council, thlrtytwo delegates, represent ing thirteen States territories districts shall constitution a quorum for the transaction of bu- siness.
 5. The national council shall be vested with the following powers and privileges:
 It shall be the head of the organization for the United States of North America and shall fix and establish all signs, grips, passwords and such other secret work as may seem to it neces- sary.
 It shall have the power to decide all matters appertanng to national politics.
 It shall have the power to exact from the State councils, quarterly or annual statements as to the number of members under their juris- dctions, and in relation to all other matters necessary for its information.
 It shall have the power to form State terri tolial or district councils, and to grant dispen- sationS for the formation of such bodies, when five subordinate councils, shall have been put in operation in any State, territory or district, and application made.
 It shall have the power to determine upon a mode of punishment in case of any dereliction of duty on the part of its members or officers It shall have the power to adopt cabalistic char acters for the purpose of writing or telegraph ing. Said characters to be communicated to the Presidents of the State councils, and by them to the Presidents of the subordinate coun- cils
 It shall have the power to adopt any and every measure it may deen necessary to secure the success of the organization; provided, that nothing shall be done by the said national coun- ell in violation of the Constitution; and provd- ed, further, that in all political matters its mem- bers may be instructed, by the State councils, and if so instructed, shall carry out such in structons of the State councils which they re- present, until overruled by majority of the national council.
 ARTICLE FOURTH.
 The President shall always preside over the national council when present, and in his ab- sence the Vice President shall preside, and in the absence of both, the national council shall appoint President pro tempOre; and the pre- siding officer may at all times call a member to the chair, but such appointment shall not ex- tend beyond one sitting of the national council.
 ARTICLE FIFTH.
 l. The officers of the national council shall be President, Vice President, Chaplain, Cores bonding Secretary, Recording Secretary Trea- surer, and two Sentinels; with such other off cers as the national council may see fit to ap- point from time to time; and the Secretaries and Sentinels may receive such compensation as the national council shall determine. ?. The duties of the several officers created by this Constitution shall be such as the work ot this organization prescrbes. ARTICLE SIXTH
 l. All officers provided for by this Consti- tuition, exceptthe Sentinels shall be elected an- nualy by ballot. The president may appoint Sentinels from time to time.
 2. A majority of all the votes cast shall be requisite to an election for an office.
 B. All officers and delegates of this coun- cil, and of all State district, territorial and sub- ordinate councils, must be invested with all the degrees of this order.
 f. All vacancies in the elective offices shall be filled by vote of the national council, and only for the unexpired term of the said va cancy
 ARTICLE SEVENTH. 2 l. The national council shall entertain and decide all cases of appeal and it shall establish form of appeal.
 Z. The national council shall levy tax upon the State, district or territorial councils, for the support of the national council, to be paid in such manner, and at such times, as the national council shall determine ARTICLE EIGHTH.
 This national council may alter and amend this Constitution at its regular annual meeting in June next, by vote of the majority of the whole number of the members present. (C1N cINNATI, Nov. A, 1854.) Ru1eS and KPguiatiOnS.