Cherokee Phoenix and Indians' Advocate
Wednesday, November 4, 1829
Vol. II, no. 30
Page. 2, col. 5a

 (N.B. the original text is printed September rather than November)

TEMPERANCE.

 Agreeably to a previous notice, a respectable number of Gentlemen from various parts of the nation convened in the Council Room, on last Thursday evening, for the purpose of forming and organizing a general temperance society.  After, an appropriate address delivered by the Rev. J. L. Trott, on motion of Rev. S. A. Worcester, Rev. Mr. Trott was called to the chair, and William Rogers appointed Secretary.  Mr. E. Gunter and Mr. Boudinott then delivered addresses in Cherokee-after which, on motion of Mr. Boudinott, the following constitution was read, interpreted, and adopted.

CONSTITUTION OF THE CHEROKEE TEMPERANCE SOCIETY

 ART. 1.   This Society shall be called the "Cherokee Temperance Society."

 ART. 2. Any person subscribing this Constitution, shall be a member of this Society.

 ART. 3. The members of this Society being very desirous of promoting the prosperity and happiness of their fellow citizens, and believing the intemperate use of ardent spirits destructive to their best interests, do therefore resolve neither to introduce, distill, vend or give away ardent spirits, nor use them in any way except as a medicine, in cases of bodily infirmity, and to discourage, in every suitable way, the use of them in this country.

 ART. 4. The officers of this Society shall be a President, Vice President, and Secretary, to be chosen at each annual meeting of the Society, and who shall perform the duties customarily performed by such officers.

 ART. 5. The officers of the Society in their associated capacity together with such other members as the society shall see fit to appoint, shall constitute an Executive Committee to carry into effect all votes & orders of the Society, to devise and recommend the best means for accomplishing its benevolent designs.

 ART. 6. The members of this Society recommend to their brethren in the several districts of the nation to form, societies auxiliary to this; and in case they should do so, (adopting the third article of this constitution) each such society shall have a right to send two representatives to the annual meetings of this Society, who shall have a seat as other members.

 ART. 7. The Society shall meet annually at New Echota on the second Thursday after the opening of the National Council.

 ART. 8. This Constitution may be altered or amended at any annual meeting, by a vote of two thirds of the members present.

 Forty Gentlemen sighed their names to the above constitution.  The Society then proceeded to the election of officers.  The following were elected for the ensuing year:

   George Lowrey, President
   Richard Taylor, Vice. Pres`t.
   William Rogers, Secretary
   Walter Adair,
   Edward Gunter  Executive Committee.
   John Huss
   E. Boudinott
   George M. Waters

This transcription from the Cherokee Phoenix is presented as part of the historical record, and includes historical materials that may contain negative stereotypes or language reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place including terminology that may not be deemed appropriate today. While an effort has been made to verify the transcription against the original text, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Researchers are urged to match the transcription against the original article to authenticate exact quotes. Issues of the Cherokee Phoenix are available on microfilm. Please check your local library for availability or to inquire about interlibrary loan of a microfilm copy.

Send comments or questions to: George Frizzell
Special Collections . Hunter Library . Western Carolina University . Cullowhee, NC 28723 . 828-227-7474