Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1860-11-14

Constitution aud By-LaVs Of me
Minute Men OF Memphis, fonn.
PnEAMBLr.-A As citizens Of a sovereign
State, expressly reserving all The attrihuies Of
sovereignty, save and except euch as are ex-
pressly delegated 70 the Federal Government
for such purposes as are especially set forth IN
the Constitution, we claim the unatensbie
right 20 resist either unconstitutional sgres-
sions BY the Fedora. Congress, or hostile and
unfrieniiy legislation 90 the part Of toe CO.
equal sovereignties which form The Federal
Union. The one has for long years persisted
10 a course Of action sgbversive Of the rights
Of Southern States, and 10 thai extent Of the
Federal Constitution itself. The other, through
State legislation, has openly set az defiance
provisions Of tie federal compact, and declared
uncompTomising hostility against The ltsltl-
lions OF the south. These hostile states have,
stlast, obtained control q tue general Govern
meni, and now threaten the entire overthrow
and abolition Of the institution OF domestic
slavery. It would be an Insult @ the manhood
OF a people less free than We Claim TO be- 10
urge resistance to such tyranny but ss unity
Of action is essential 20 success, and - organ
lied bodies only can act efficiently in times OF
emergency, we adopt as a bass % orgauiLs-
ton the following sections Of the lst article Of
The Constitution Of the state Of Tennessee,
fo-tra:
cECTlON- I. "lldL All power - lutAthN
the people, and 81 free governments are found
ed on their authority, and Instituted FOR their
peace, ssffg and happiaess; for the advance
msnt Of those ends, they have, at all times, an
unalienable aGd indefeasibie right to alter re-
form, or abolish the governmentin such a nan
ner as they may think proper"
Sac. 2. Hrbst government bring institutedfof
the common benefit, the doctrine Of non-resis-
lance against arbitrary power and oppression
is absurd, slaTish, and destructive Of the good
and happiness Of mankind"
We, therefore, the citizens Of Tennesse, IN
view Of the impending crisis, necessarily incl
dent upon the election Of a Black-Republlcan
% the presidency Of the United States andiH
view OF cur duties 10 our section, ourselves,
and our dearest interests, hereby form our
selves into an association, under the name and
style Of Minute Men-snd do further pledge
ourselves our fortunes aad sacred h0E0r to sus-
tain the equality OF the State o. Tennessee, IA
the Confederation I; or, falling in that, 20 unite
with our sister southern States, With whom We
shall make common cause to resist the sggres-
sivc fanatieal pow er Of the North, even lac a
last RESORT 20 the disruption Of every tie which
now binds Us to the Union.
CONSTITUTION AMI BYLAWS.
The ofhcers Of this association shall consist
oil president, two viee-presideBts, a secretary
aRd a treasurer, who shall be elected b. the
association, a majority Of all he votes cast
/ being necessary 70 a choice. The officers so
! elected shall remain il Office SIX months.
ARrIcLE 2. The president sail preside at
all meetings Of the association, and, IN bis
absence, one ofthe viee-presidents shall act in
BIS stead.
AR. 3. The secretary shall keep a book,
IN which shall be transcribed the constitution
and bylaws, and the roll Of members. He shall
keep a correct and plain account Of the pro-
ceeoings Of each meeting (; also list Of an
absences, which snail be reported at each
subsequent meeting. Re shan likewise collect
all dues, fines, etc., on which . commission Of
ten per cent. will be allowed him.
Art. 4. The treasurer shall receive from
the secretary all monies belonging 20 the as
sociation-and receipt for he sane--and uake
all disbursements, but shall pay out no money
except under warrant Of the president. He
shalt make a report at the first meeting IN
each month, Ct al Transactions connected
with bis Office.
AR. 5. The association stall meet every
SATURDAY nlgh.a al y o'clock. Extra ueetings
to be called by the president whenever be may
think necessary Or proper.
ri g. Absentses from regular meetings
shall be aned p cents, unless satisfactory *
cuss be rendered TO the president.
AIT. 7. TIE president snail appoint two
I standing committees Of three memsers each
Cle, a COMMITTEES Of correspondents, whose
duty e. ahali be g communicate with other
southern c-oHis-Egities FOR the establishment Of
similar organizations. The other, a prudsn-
tial committee, whose duty 3. shall be 10 pro
vide music and such appropriate Transporter
cies and insignia, on an occasions Of a public
character, IS shall have been decided upon by
tie association.
AR. s. On al public occasions each mem
Der shall wear a black glazed cap, Tith The
letters N N, 10 red, upon the front, and shall
carry a fambeau, lantern or other demonstTa-
uFs imp.ineut which may have been decided
u3oE b. the association as appropriate TO the
occasion.
ARr. g. Each members il advised to connect
himself with some military corps, organized
under the laws Of the State, inasmuch az "the
sure and certain defense q a free people is a
well regulated militia"
Arr. 10. Any citizen may become a member
Of this association By presenting a written
| application, vcucbed for BY two members, pay
iRg an admission fss Of one dollar, and reeeiv
ing the unanimous vote Of the members pres
ent. Each member on admission shall sign
the constitution ana bylaws.
AET. II. Each member shan pay 20 Tie sec
Rotary, - se-h regular meeting, the sum 0.
twenty I've c snts, as weekly dues.
/ ART. 12.-0zDER OF BUSINESS oS REGULAR
MEETING.
J.. Roll Gait.
.. Reading q minutes nss Fst approved.
3. Approval Of minutes.
4. Reports Of standing committees.
5. Reports Of special committees.
g. Election Of members.
e. Postponed business.
g. Mes b~uziness.
AR. -. ANY bylaw may be added, amend
ed OF suspended, b. a vote of thres-fourths Of
the members present.
W. R. HUNT, President.
VIC C~AyEEAUeH, ves-P-ssi5e1,.
J. MGEsHALL WOODWARD, Sec-y.
J. c. HARsIs, Treasurer.
J. HAN LTCE,
VI. r. LowRIE,