New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-07-15

dearest rights violated and no other method left bv
which M flle will Of the people can befnanifested:
therefore, Ibe citizens whose names are hefeunto
attached, do unite themselves into an association for
maintenance Of the peace and good order of society
the prevention and punishment OF crime--the pre-
aervaton Of our lives and property, and insure that
oHr ballotboxes shall hereafter express the actual and
unorged will Of the majority of our citizens and we
DO bind ourselves each unto the other. by solemn
oath, to do and perform every just and lawful act for
the maintenance Of law and order, and to sustain the
laws when faithfully and properly administered But
we are determined that thief burglar. fncendary
aasasn balot-boz sttfer or other disturber Of the
peace shall escape punishment, either by the auibbes
OF the aW-the insecurity of prsonsth caFefessnesg
or corruption Of the police, or laxity Of those
pretend to administer justice and I'd secure the OBJ
Jects Of this association We do hereby agree
lst. That the name and style Of this Association
small pc The Committee of Vigilance, for the protect
ion of the haot-box the lives, liberty and property
Of the citizens and residents Of the city of aa Fran
cisco. 81
"a That there shall be rooms for the deliberations
OF the committee at which there shall be some one
that purpose in constant attendance at all hours of
the day and night, to receive the report of any mems
per ot he or Of any other person per-
sons Whatever, Of any act Of violence done to the
person or property Of any citizen Of San Francisco
and II, IN tine Judgment Of the member or members
OF the mlttee present. it be such an act as Ilst
hes or demands the interference this committee
either in aiding in the execution Of the laws or the
prompt and summary punishment Of Tie offender,
the committee shall be at once assembled for The pur
pose Of taking such action as majority Of them
Wnen assembled, shall determine upon.
3D. That it shall be the duty of any member or
1lelnnefs q the committee duty at the Committee
looms, whenever general assenbIage Of the COM
inittes IS aeemed necessary cause acal I'd be made
III sIicn a manner as shall be found advisable @
4th. mat whereas. an Executive Committee has
oeen CHOSEN by the General it shall be the
dnty OF the said Executive Committee 10 deIherate
ana act upon an important Questions and decide upon
IA .
which this association was formed.
9TH. That whereas this Committee has been organ.
lied into subdivisions, the Executive Committee shall
havepower to call, when they shall SO determine
upon Board of Delegates, to consist of three repe
sentatves from each division to confer with them
upon matters Of vital Importance.
9Th That all matters of detail and government shall
be embraced in a code of bylaws. sz8j t&l$5
9TH That the action Of this body shall be entirely
and vigorously free from all considerations Of or par
tcipation in, the merits denlerits or opinion or
acts OF any and all sects political parties or section
al divisions in the community: and every class of or
derby citizens Of Wateversec party OF nativity NAV
become members Of this body. No discussion Of po-
eal sectional or sectaran subjects shall be allowed
in the rooms of the association.
8th That no person accused before this hddy5sha1J
be punished until after fair and impartial trial and
conviction. sss17-7 -
9th. That whenever the General Committee have
assembled Tor deiberaton, the decision of the ma
lorlty upon any question that may be submitted to
them by the Executive Committee shall be binding
upon the whole: Provided nevertheless. that when
the delegates are deiberating upon the punishment
to be awarded to any criminals no vote ifcting the
death penalty shall be binding unless passed by two
thirds Of those present and entitled to vote.
10th That all good citizens shall be eligible for ad-
mission to this body under such regulations as may
be prescribed by Committee On Qualifications and
II any unworthy persons gain admission, they shall
on due proof, be expelled And believing ourseIyest to
be executors Of the will of the majority Of our cti-
zens, we do pledge our sacred honor to defend and
sustain each other in carrying out the determined ac
ton of this Committee at the hazard Of our Iyes and
our fortunes. .-----.- -