On this 15th day of May, 1889, before me personally came John C. Calhoun, James H. Parker, William P. St. John, Evan Thomas, William L. Trenholm, Macgrane Coxe, Walter L. McCorkle, William G. Crenshaw, Jr., Charles A. Deshon, William W. Flannagan, George Rutledge Gibson, Robert L. Harrison, and James Swann, to me severally known and known to me to be the individuals described in and who executed the foregoing certificate and severally acknowledged to me that they executed the same.

(SEAL)

James F. Doyle,

Notary Public, N. Y. Co.

I, John R. Brady, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court for the Fifth District, do hereby approve of the within certificate and consent that the same be filed.

Dated, New York, May 16, 1889.

Jno. R. Brady.

Filed and recorded in the office of the Secretary of State, May 17, 1889.

Filed and recorded in the office of the Clerk of the City and County of New York, May 18, 1889.

PREAMBLE

TO THE

CONSTITUTION

OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY

HE New York Southern Society was formally organized, in the City of New York, on the 9th day of November, 1886, at which time the Constitution was adopted, and the

Officers and an Executive Committee were chosen to hold office until the ensuing annual meeting. The Executive Committee, before publication of the Constitution and By-Laws, appointed a Committee to formulate the objects of the Society, whose report, which was adopted by the Executive Committee, is as follows:

The present seems a fitting time for the establishment of a Southern Society in New York.

We have already societies for the preservation of many of the distinctive elements of our national character. The New England Society perpetuates the Puritan virtues that have given to the American some of his best and most enduring characteristics. The St. Patrick's

Alliance cherishes and fosters those admirable traits and qualities imparted to us by the Celtic race. The Holland Society preserves and exalts the excellencies of our Dutch ancestors. The Huguenot, the St. George's, St. Andrew's and various other eminent and flourishing societies, claim the full heritage of moral and intellectual worth bequeathed to us by the illustrious ancestries they represent.

Since the abolition of slavery, the distinct and peculiar social organization of the old South has become so essentially modified by the exigencies of the change in its political economy, that it has practically ceased to exist; and the South of today forms but one component and concordent part of a now homogeneous whole. But the best of the old influences still survive, and will be long recognized as formative agents in the development of the national character.

Now that the prejudices engendered by the war are dead, we, who are of Southern birth or ancestry, and who believe that the South has contributed her quota of all that is good in American life, should organize to perpetuate what is best in the customs, manners and character of our ancestors.

With such objects this Society has been formed, and, to be effective should act with promptness, since the knowledge to be preserved rests in large measure, in the memories of those whose lease of life cannot have long

run.

To effect these purposes the Society will gather all existing books and writings illustrative of Southern life; will endeavor to induce and encourage those peculiarly cognizant of Southern traditions and customs to commit their knowledge to writing, that it be not lost; will honor and promote authors who have written or shall write upon these subjects and will undertake to fix and set forth the influence of the Southern element in the development of the national character.

The Society will not trench upon the domain of controversial history, or permit the discussion or introduction of political or sectional differences, but will devote itself to the commemoration of Southern social life, manners and character.

On suitable occasions, the Society will be ready to unite in whatever public expression is required to promote the honor and dignity of the country, or of this noble city, whereto the members have transferred their home.

A further, and not the least important purpose of the Society will be the promotion of the acquaintance and social intercourse of Southern residents of New York; the extension of proper courtesies to non-resident Southerners, who may from time to time visit the city, and desire to avail themselves of the privileges and advantages which the Society may provide; and the proffer