The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-12-30

S""" oe uHIeuhtIlngiV applied TO the
making of the Spy what we trust it has been,
to some extent, heretofore, medium of useful
intelligence, sound morality, and correct princ;-
pies. 1t we succeed in this, we shall not envy
the more brilliant career of any, who attain
their object by the sacrifice of any portion of
principle, however small it may be-
The Masonic EXCITEMENT. The aspect
which the subject that now agitatos, in con-
siderable degree, portion of the public mind,
has assumed, renders it proper for us more full
ly to explain the views by which we have been
influenced in adopting the course that we
have taken in relation to it. Events of COM
paratlvely recent date, among the most prom
inent of which are the revelations made by
VIM Morgan, and since confirmed by multi
tude of others, and the subsequent abduction
and death of that individual, have turned the
attention of the public, more particularly than
heretofore, to an examination of the preten-
slons the practices, the objects, and the utility
OF the institution. Claiming as it does, high
antiquity for its origin, principles of the purest
and most elevated cast, and general accord
ance in practice with those principles, it would
seem to court public investigation of its MGR
its, on its own account, as the surest mode of
extending its usefulness and its influence. To
the public, it is of some consequence that its
true character should be understood, because
such an institution cannot be of a neutral char
acter; its tendency must be either good or bad
IT good, it should be sustained if bad, it should
lie under the ban of public opinion. To free
and candid investigation, members of the fra
ternity can have no objection, because if it is
in reality what it processes to be, it will come
from the ordeal, like gold from the furnace,
purer and brighter for the trial it has passed
through; but, if it is not, its members, as good
citizens, ought to rejoice in the opportunity of
having its evil tendency demonstrated to them.
Indeed, free inquiry into every thing, which,
either nearly or remotely, affects the public
good, is the undoubted privilege of free citizens,
in the exercise of which they should neither
be restrained nor restricted
1t may, then, be asked, as it frequently has
been asked, why we do mot engage in the con- !
tre-s.sy, and devote the columns of this paper
to the investigation. We answer, that, for this
purpose, there are other and more appropriate |
channels There are many subjects of contro-
versy, among which are those of religious
character, which seem unsuited to the columns
of common newspaper. The masonic ques- !
ton. also, is, in view, of this class. The !
almost inevitable consequence of discussion !
of the question in political newspapers, will be,
to give it a political character. There are
some who would be disposed to give it that
direction, and it would be difficult to prevent |
them from accomplishing their object. Such
course would be fraught with the worst conse- |
quences, as defeating the object of the inquiry,
and producing state of things, which must be
deprecated by every good citizen. When par !
ties are formed, numbers join them, more in
reference to secondary and personal causes,
than from regard to any principle which may
be involved on the one side or the other; and,
when they have joined, they act as pGrtizans,
emulous to sustain the cause of their party,
rather than as inquilers, seeking the develop
ment and establishment of the truth We are,
utSpOScu " DcilcV0 that the direction
of any controversy which newspaper discus
sion might produce, would eventually be
against masons, personally, when it should be
against masonry alone. Both sides would be-
come unduly excited, and each might contrib
ute, more or less, to produce such result
Whatever abuses there may be in masonry, or
whatever evils it may have tendency to pro-
duce, there are very many, connected with the
institution, whose elevation of character, moral
purity, and piety, forbid the suspicion that they
would countenance any practices which, IN
their Uieao, are incompatible with the public
good. Why, then, should public odium be d.
rected against them ? Why should they be
hunted down and prosecuted for an honest,
though, perhaps, mistaken difference in sent-
ment In religious matters, where differences
exist, although we may attack the faith, we
treat with respect its professors. Why should
not the same rule apply heres why should
brother, thus needessly, be arrayed against
brother, and the peace of the community be
destroyed
We believe that the charm which bound the
masonic fraternity together, and which chiefly
contributed to sustain it for so long time, was
dissolved when the veil of secrecy and mystic
ry, with which it was sbrouded, was torn
away. The axe was laid at its root and nm