The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-09-19
CONSTITUTION OF THE CECIL COUNTY
TEMPERANCE ALLIANCE.

PREAMBLE Whereas, The temperance
work in this State has been carried on by
variety of organizations and agencies acting
separately and independently of each other,
while having common faith and laboring
for a common end; and
Whereas, 1t has become necessary that a
more efficient policy should be adopted, by
which the Christian Church should be fully
recognized in this work, and unite with all
other agencies in a general society which
shall be the recognized representative Of
ALL while it leaves each organization free to
labor in its own peculiar manner, thus Sc
curing a common brotherhood, through
which the combined influence of all may be
felt in the work of temperance reform;
TAsrefore, We citizens of Cecil county,
in Convention assembled, do hereby agree
upon the following declaration Of princi-
pies:
Fsra-The evils of intern perance, which
flow directly from the legalizing and pro-
tecting of the alcoholic drink traffic by the
Government, are destructive of the indus
trial, social and religious interests of So
ciety, and for these reasons the State should
no longer foster and protect this traffic.
Second-In the Church Of this nation W e
recognize a div:nely-appointed head and
leadership in the work of temperance re-
form, and believing that as the liquor sys-
tenn is the open enemy of the Church, so
the Church should take the lead in destroy
ing this system and the evils which flow
directly from it.
Third-We recognize all forms of tenn
perance organizations and other moral re-
form societies as valuable agencies in assist
ing the Church in the overthrow of the
evils of intemperance, and believing that
in the providence of God the time has fully
come when all these agencies should be
united and combined, we do hereby, in the
name of Almighty God, and in humble
reliance upon his blessing, adopt the fol-
lowing:
ARTICLE l. This Society shall be called
Cecil County Temperance Alliance. and
shall be auxiliary to the State Temperance
Alliance.
ARTICLE 2. The objects of this Ali
ance shall be the prohibition by law of the
traffic in alcoholic drinks and the educa-
ton Of public sentiment up to that point.
For this purpose the Alliance shall appoint
five persons in each Election District of the
county to form district alliances, and
shall, in all other ways, endeavor to pro-
mote the interests of temperance through
out the county.
ARTICLE 8. The officers of the Alliance
shall consist of President, Vice. President,
Corresponding and Recording Secretary,
and Treasurer, who shall perform such
duties as are usually assigned to such Off
GERS who shall also be an Executive Com
mittee for the county, to be appointed at
each annual meeting.
ARTICLE 4. All persons contributing to
the funds of the Alliance the sum of one
dollar and upwards per annum, shall be
members of the same, provided they are
in accord with the principles of this Con-
stitution.
ARTICLE 5. There shall be an annual
meeting Of the Alliance held at such time
and place as the Executive Committee shall
direct, and said committee shall cause full
and public notice of said annual meeting
to be given to all organizations to be repre-
sented. That annual meetings shall be
composed of delegates from Churches,
Young Mems Christian Associations, Tenn
leges, Academies, and all persons men,
toned in article 4th. This annual meeting
of the Alliance shall elect the officers and
Executive Committee, direct the policy to be
pursued for the coming year, i'll accordance
with this Constitution, and shall have
power to elect at each meeting honorary
members, with or without power to vote.
ARTICLE 6. This Constitution may be
amended at any annual meeting of the
Alliance, by a majority vote Of the men,
bers present.
The above is the Constitution as adopted
by the Alliance last week. As will be seen
by it total abstinence is not necessary
qualification for membership; but all who
would have Cecil county occupy her true
position in reference to this question, and
give her citizens fair chance to be heard,
may add their influence by forwarding their
names and S1.00 to the treasurer or the
chairman of their district committee for
that purpose. This fund, when sufficient,
will be employed in securing lectures, cir
culating documents, &c.
Now, when there is no local election to
distract public attention, it is most fsvora-
BILE time to educate public sentiment.