The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-07-26
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE
YOUNG MEMS UNION CLUB.

YOUNG MEMS UNION CLUB.
We the young men Of Ridgway and
vicisity, desiring at this early period OF
our career as citizens and electors of ia.
king high ground in favor of the best
interests Of our country deprecating
the traditional prejudices and partizan
jealousies over the past as things which
should not have outlived the controver.
sizes which gave them birth aud as per.
vcrting mems judgments on questions
Of the present and realizing the impor.
tancc Of tho political issues now before
the American people have, as the result
Of serious consideration, resolved
l. That the maintenance Of the Un.
ion, one and insepArable updcr the Con.
stitution, is of the first aud highest i'm
portance.
2. That the immediate restoration oi
the Union as the Legitimate result of
the war, is demanded by the interests Of
the country that to this end Congress
should at once admit the representatives
of the Southern States, except in cases
where the representative is personally
disqualified.
3. That we view with alarm the pres.
cnt tendency Of the Radicals TO centrali-
zation. We believe the Federal gov
ernment to be supreme in its iurisdic.
ton, but limited in its objects. The
right Of each state to regulate its do
mcstic affairs "is essential to that bal.
ance Of power on which the perfection
and endurance Of our political fabric
depends"
4. That among the reserved rights Of
the States under the Constitution, is tn G
right to prescribe the qualification ofvo-
ters-to thrust negro suffrage OH the
people of the South is Illegal. Were it
legal it would be impolitic because cal
eulated to fan anew the flames of hate
between the two sections It is better
the strength of the Union should lie in
the affection Of its people than in its
military power--therefore, the policy Of
the government should be, to foster q
love of country in all parts of the Union
and all unnecessary Legislation tending
to embitter the feelings of the people
generally or of a particular section
against the Federal Government, is TN
wise.
To the support Of these views VI
: pledge our earnest and unfaltcripg sup
port, and to the end that such support
: be more efficient, we hereby constitute
. ourselves an association to be governed
| by the following Constitution and s1ch
bylaws as may hereafter be enacted.
e CONSTITUTION.
l. The name, style and title Of thi
association shall be THE YOUNG
MEMS UNION CLUB.
2. The officers shall consist Of a Pres
ident, Secretary and Treasurer
whose duties snail be such as devolv
upon such officers in similar associa
tiOns.
8. The ordinary and general bushes
of the Club when not in session sha
be conducted by an Executive Commi
tee of FIVE,
:, 4. All the officers shall be electe
il and hold their offices for the term Of on
y year, unless sooner discharged by deatl
removal, resignation or expulsion.
d 8. Any male person may become
e member, who is not above the age {
n thirty years and who subscribe to tt
N views contained in the preamble to tn
i Constitution. ANY male person abo'
!. the age Of thirty years may be electe
y an honorary member having a voice b.
he no vote.
Stewards LETTER ON THE PHILADE