Year: 1868

This Association. shall be composed of the
citizens of the county of-- who
shall subscribe to and abide by the following
Constitution and Bylaws:


CONSTITUTION.


The object of this Association shall be to
maintain he Constitution o the United States
and of the State of Mississippi, and all laws
passed in pursuance thereof.


United and vigorous efforts will be made to
disseminate correct views of Constitutional
Liberty; to oppose all illegal legislation,
whether State or Federal; to expose and con-
demn all corrupt political combinations eDdan-
gering the public welfare; and to maintain
the Constitutional rights of the people in all
respects.


Believing that the series of measures known
as the Reconstruction acts of Congress are gross
ly in violation of the State and Federal Con-
>titutiOns, and that the Constitutional Con-
ventiOns elected under them and the CunSti-
tutionS they may adopt are illegal aud void,
we shall oppose the same by all legal and
honorable means, and labor for the restoration
of the Union according to the terms and
spirit of the Federal and State Constitutions.


Special attention will be given to Tie protec
ton and security of freedmen In their Consti-
tutiOnal rights of person and property, and to
their instruction in all matters pertaining to
the public interest.


BYLAWS.


1st The officers Of this Association shall
consist of a President and five Vice PI esiden
one to be selected from each Police Distri
in the county, Secretary ana Treasurer,
and such other officers and committeeman as
the Association shall from time to time
appoint.


2nd. The regular meetings of the Associa-
ton shall be monthly, ON the--day of each
month, and at such other times and occasions
as the public interest requires and this Asso-
citation may appoint.


Sd. There shall be a committee of five or
more appointed by the President Of the Associ-
alton, resident in each Police District of the
county of whom the Vice President for each
District shall be chairman; and 1t shall be the
duty of these committees to assemble on the
call of the Chairman, to concert and execute
all appropriate measures Ter the success OF
the party and the protection OF the pubic IN
terest; to confer freely with all the people OF
their Districts in regard to the objects of this
Association, as set forth in the Constitution CT
the same; to procure signatures to this Consti-
tuition and Bylaws to make and report TO
the county Association a list OF all the citizens
of said District who belong to this Association,
and also a separate list if those who do not
and to this end, said District committees may
appoint subcommittee with such powers as
may be deemed eXpedIent.


h. IT shall be the further duty of these
committees, and each member Of this Assoel-
alton, to explain the objects OF the Assocla-
ton to the people, to induce them to become
active members of the same; and to estaDllsn
entire unanimlty of political sentiment and
pubic po icy, and to give legal expression to
same at the ballot box on all proper occasions.


9TH. The ballat box must be preserved from
all frauds on the elective franchise; and to this
end, committees shall be appointed by the
President of the County Association, with the
advice OF the District committees, with power,
and whose duty it shall be to attend the polls OF
election in each precinct on the day Of election,
and superintend the same f; to challenge illegal
voters or persons suspected of attempting to
vote Illegally, and to see that all legal voters
have falr opportunity to exercise the elective
franchise and for this purpose sald commit
,.,IloD MT IA o
duty it shall be to take and preserve list of
all persons voting at, each precinct IN the
county, and report the same to the county
Association; and if any fraudulent votes shaH
be discovered, the same shall be publicly eS-
posed. -... ~. ,--.o;o.;o,, oorroo
70 act uDon the time-honored maxim that
Eternal vigilance is the price OF Liberty, "
and hereby pledge themse yes to the people;
and 20 one another. to promote the interest OF
the party by all honorable means.


18th. Additional Bylaws and Resolutlons
NAV be passed from time to time as emergen-
oiaS ma Y reolIire.