President's Address to the
Cranberry Isles Benevolent Sewing Circle
April 8, 1863
Abigail C. Preble, President & Treasurer
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Fellow Members of the Cranberry Isles Benevolent Sewing Circle It becomes my duty as President of your Society, under the Existing circumstances although Painful it is to me to call your attention to the troubles & perplexities now[?] agitated by some of the former members You are aware that at your Annual meeting in the choice of officers for the ensuing year some of the old members were much displeased at the Result of your doings and since that time I am informed have made preparations among themselves to Establish & organize a new Society Seceeding from your Society and planning to overthrow the same. for myself I cannot conceive that any possible good can result from such proceedings and fear in the end that it will be the means to overthrow our Society and entirely frustrate our object in view tis said they intend to appropriate their funds for the same purpose_._._._._._ Let me caution you as members of this social Body to beware of such traitors their intention to Plot your And under the Existing State of affairs your candid consideration and best Judgment is required to conduct your Society safely and Judiciously through this stru ggle I would respectfully say that the seceders Expect to divide your friends and in regard |
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to that point would say that I know not how it can be done my opinion is that there is no way for that to be done but by a vote of the acti- ng members of the Society or this any person having been a member at any former period and having left the Society at the time so doing abandons their right & interest in the same and have no right or authority to meddle with the business of the Society your constitution Provides that any person may become an acting member by Subscr ibing to the Constitution & paying 10 cts from that you will see that the subscribing does not make the person a member until the 10ct??? is paid then and not till then can any person have a voice in transacting the business of said Society. You are aware that it lays with the legal members of the Society to decide the best meaures to be adopted for the success either by a majority vote of the members present or by a two thirds vote of the members if matter of so grave importance arises as the present where a part of the old members become disafected and secede turn Traitors and plot your ruin then it is of the utmost importance to be candid & decided and permit me to suggest the propriety of your making arang ements to meet the difficulties now Existing All of which is respectfully submitted Cranberry Isles April 8th 1863 A C Preble President Treasurer |
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