The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-04-11

WIN some degree OF interest, all the lactS
which have fallen in our way in relation to
the abduction Of this person, with desire
to arrive at the most reasonable and Just
conclusion relative to his fate. This ex-
animation has led us to an honest and firm
whether correct, or not) conviction, that
his life has been made the sacrifice Of the
fanatic zeal of a few misguided and delud-
ed men, We are, also, as well satisfied
that the masons, as body, have had no
participation in this affair, and that mason
ry is no more chargeable with the guilt,
than religion is with that of the fanaticism
which shed the blood of the martyrs. The
Incorporate zeal of deluded men ought not
to fix stigma on the body to which they
belong, so long as the body does not par
ticipate in their excuses.
1t is true that an opinion, contrary to
that we have now expressed is prevalent
This has arisen in part from the failure of
the committees, who have investigated the
affair, to produce any legal proof of his
death, from the now acknowledged limo
cence of some who were originally impli-
Gated, and, in no small degree, from the
ridicule with which some have treated the
whole affair. Still no new fact, we believe,
has been adduced to shew that Morgan is
voluntary absentee.
The facts, on which we have grounded
our opinions, are: LIST. The conviction and
punishment of three persons who were con-
cerned in the violent taking and carrying
away of Morgan. Cd. The refusal of those
who were known to be concerned in TAX
ing him off, to give any account of what
has been done with him. If, after carrying
him TO Niagara, or any other place, they
had set him at liberty, and he had, then,
voluntarily absconded, it could easily have
been shown. Sd. The concurrence, in this
opinion, Of the masons, as a body, in
that vicinity as has been manifested by
their public acts. Numerous evidences of
this might be adduced. For the present
we content ourselves with one. At meet
ing of the Lyons Royal Arch Chapter, held
March Is, 1927, several resolutions were
passed, which have been published. The
! two first resolutions deny that the masons
claim the right to infict any corporeal
punishment on their members for revealing
the secrets of the fraternity, and declare
that any punishment, except suspension
and expulsion, "would be in violation Of
the most sacred principles of their order"
The third resolution is as follows:-
Resolved, That we view with deep re-
greet the gross violation of the laws of OUT
country, and the rules and principles Of
masonry, by members Of our institution, i'll
the late affair of William NJ organ, and that
we utterly dislaim all knowledge of, on
Participation S~hoto~or, in the abduction of
said Morgan: and that we will, as masons.
have no communication whatever with
those persons who were engaged in the
perpetrGtion Of this horrid outrage
Other lodges in that vicinity have pub
lished similar resolves, all concurring in
the admission of their belief of Morgan's
| abduction, and of his death or forcible de-
tent ion in some place unknown.
/ A committee of the New-Yor Legisla-
ture, who have had the subject under con
sideration, made a report on the 4th inst.
which, however, does not disclose any new
fact of Importance. Some of the testimony
before them was calculated to create the
dreadful belief that the life of Morgan was
taken at Niagara" yet the statements
were too underlined to warrant the commit
tee in acting on them. The information
was principally derived from residents of
the province of Canada, beyond the reach
of our own judicial authorities, and of any
power that our government could create"
The committee, after commenting on the
subject at some length, thus proceed -
To arrest the progress of such glaring
crime to surrender to the injured and in
suited laws of our country, their so wanton
violaters; to protect our people in the en-
joyment of life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness" is the duty of every citizen.
and particularly of those to whom are del
egated the power of acting for the general
veal.
Aware that this transaction has called
forth the deep and merited indignation Of
people jealous in the protection of those
liberties so dearly bought, and that are SO
firmly guarded by the constitution and
laws of our country, sacred in the hum
BILE citizen as in those clothed with the
highest powers that freemen can bestow,
your committee have anxiously endeavored
to recommend such means as, in their view,
would most conduce to the arrest and con-
viction of those who have been actors in
scene which we hope is, and will remain,
unparalleled in the history of our coun-
try.
They therefore introduce the following
resolutions.