D272 New England Branch Freedmen's Union Commission New England Branch Freedmen's Union Commission. OFFICE, 8 STUDIO BUILDING, BOSTON. During the progress of our recent war, notwithstanding the sympathies and energies of our people were so deeply enlisted in behalf of the soldier, societies sprung into existence, all over the North, whose object was to relieve the wants of the colored people of the South, and prepare them for their new condition of freedom. To insure harmony of action, the societies centreing in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburg, Cincinnati and Chicago, were united, forming the American Freedmen's Union Commission. OFFICERS. MATTHEW SIMPSON, D. D., Pres. JOS. P. THOMPSON, D. D., and others, Vice-Pres'ts. LYMAN ABBOTT, Gen'l Sec'y. The essential principle of this Commission is expressed in the following article of its constitution: "This Commission is constituted to aid and co-operate with the people of the South, without distinction of race or color, in the improvement of their condition, upon the basis of industry, education, freedom, and Christian morality. No schools or supply depots shall be maintained from the benefits of which any shall be excluded because of color." — Art. II, Constitution. It will be perceived that our schools are not only for the freedmen, but for the whites also, that is, no one is excluded on account of his color — all are admitted on the same footing and treated with equal consideration. Although there is not a general disposition on the part of the whites to avail themselves of the opportunity offered, the experiment has in a small way proved a success. A beginning has been made; and it is clearly the only plan by which the social system of the South can be so far reconstructed as to remove, or essentially modify, the grave distinctions heretofore existing between whites and blacks. The freedmen have thus far manifested an eagerness and a capacity for learning which has surprised their most sanguine friends, and in many places will render important aid in the support of the schools the coming year. This Commission operates in connection with the Freedmen's Bureau; and though it is hoped, as its spirit and aims become better known at the South, that the necessity for military protection will cease, it it still important that our schools be well established before the Bureau is withdrawn. THE NEW ENGLAND BRANCH Of the Commission (formerly New England Freedmen's Aid Society,) conducts its own business as before, but in conjunction with the other branches, and as a part of the National organization. The Officers are : PRESIDENT : JOHN A. ANDREW VICE PRESIDENTS : Maine. Hon. SAMUEL CONY, Hon. ISRAEL WASHBURN, Jr., New Hampshire. Hon. I. GOODWIN, T. H. LEVERETT, Esq., Massachusetts. Rev. J. M. MANNING, Rev. E. E. HALE, Rev. WM. HAGUE, Rev. A. A. MINER, HON. THOS. RUSSELL, WM. LLOYD GARRISON, Vermont. Hon. C. W. WILLARD, Hon. A. B. GARDNER, Rev. N. SEAVER, Rhode Island. Hon SETH PADELFORD, JNO. CARTER BROWN, Esq., and others. The New England Society, during the year ending the first of July last, commissioned and sent to the field 196 teachers. Its schools numbered over 12,000 pupils. It collected and disbursed, during the same period, $80,000 in money, and almost as much in clothing and other supplies. It is hoped that the physical needs will not be so great the coming year, and that the educational work can be correspondingly increased; as it is the object of the Commission to establish the free school system of New England in the Southern States. It is a work of great magnitude, but the end sought is worthy of the effort required. Notwithstanding our work is already so extended, it is but just begun. There are many important and promising places in the South where no schools have as yet been established. These ought to be supplied. It is desirable that an auxiliary society be formed in every town and city in New England ; and to that end, the active co-operation of every friend of freedom and humanity is earnestly solicited. Money may be sent to EDWARD W. HOOPER, Treas., No. 20 State Street. Communications should be addressed to [?] H. CHAPIN, Secretary, [?] No. 8 Studio Building. Sept. 1st, 1866. Constitution of Auxiliary Society Article 1 Name This Society shall be called the Freedman's Aid Society of Article 2 Object The object of this Society shall be to aid in the work of improving, by education and other appropriate means, the condition of the freedmen, and in connection with them, other needy and neglected classes in the Southern States; and for this purpose, it shall be auxiliary to the New England Branch of the Freedmen's Union Comission. Article 3 Membership Any person may become a member of this Society by contributing not less than to its Treasury, and signing this Constitution. Article 4 Officers The Officers of this Society shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, and Collectors; these officers shall be elected annually, and together shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Society. Article 5 Duties of Officers The duties of officers shall be respectively such as usually devolve on such officers in similar organization. Article 6 Meetings The anual meeting of this Society shall be held on the.......................................day of.....................; all other meetings as the Executive Committee may direct. Article 7 Amendments This Constitution may be amended by vote of two-thirds of the members present at any meetings of the Society, notice of such amendment having been given at a previous meeting. Names of Officers President..................................... Collectors Vice-Pres't................................... ......................................... Secretary..................................... Treasurer.................................... Names of Members Am't Subscribed Names of Members Am't Subscribed Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.