It shall have the power to determine upon the mode of punishment in
case of any dereliction of duty on the part of its members or officers.

It shall have the power to adopt cabalistic characters for the purpose
of writing or telegraphing, said characters to be communicated to the
presidents of the State councils, and by them to the presidents of the
subordinate councils.

It shall have the power to adopt any and every measure it may deem
necessary to the success of the organization: Provided, That nothing
shall be done by the said national council in violation of the consti-
tution: And provided, further, That in all political matters its members
may be instructed by the State councils, and if so instructed, shall carry
out such instructions of the State councils which they represent until
overruled by a majority of the national council.

Article IV. The president shall always preside over the national
council when present, and in his absence the vice president shall preside,
and in the absence of both, the national council shall appoint a presi-
dent pro tempore; and the presiding officer may at all times call a mem-
ber to the chair, but such appointment shall not extend beyond one
sitting of the national council.

Article V. Sec. 1—The officers of the national council shall be a pres-
ident, chaplain, corresponding secretary, recording secretary, treasurer,
and two sentinels, with such other officers as the national council may
sec fit to appoint from time to time and the secretary and sentinels may
receive such compensation as the national council shall determine.

Sec. 2.—The duties of the several officers created by this constitution
shall be such as the work of this organization prescribes.

Article 6. Sec. 1—All officers provided for by this constitution, ex-
cept the sentinels, shall be elected annually by ballot. The president
may appoint sentinels from time to time.

Sec. 2.—A majority of all the votes cast shall be requisite to an elec-
tion for any office,

Sec. 3.—All officers and delegates of this council, and of all State,
district territorial, and subordinate councils, must be invested with all
the degrees of this order.

Sec. 4.—All vacancies in elective offices shall be filled by a vote of the
national council, and only for the unexpired term of the said vacancy.

Article VII. Sec. 1.—The national council shall entertain and decide
all cases of appeal, and it shall establish a form of appeal.

Sec. 2.—The national council shall levy a tax upon the State, district,
or territorial councils for the support of the national council, to be paid
in such manner and at such times as the national council shall deter-
mine.

Article VIII.—This national council may alter and amend this con-
stitution at its regular annual meeting in June next, by a vote of the
majority of the whole number of the members present.

Cincinnati, Nov. 24, 1854.

rules and regulations.

Rule 1.—Each State, district, or territory in which there may exist
five or more subordinate councils working under dispensations from the

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