The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-12-09
ANTI.MAsoNIC MEErING.

(
given, meeting was held at the Court House
In this town last evening. to take into consid.
GRAFTON the subject of Free Masonry, and to Sc.
iect Delegates to represent the County at the
State Convention TO be holden at Boston on the
last Wednesday of this month. The nature of
the subject drew together, as was to have been
expected, large assemblage, so that there was
literally ga full house." The meeting was or
gained by calling Lovett Peters, Esq, to the
Char, and appointing Joseph Lathrop Secreta-
ry. After the names of the Delegates had been
! called, motion was made and carried that all
who were present who took an interest in the
subject, should be permitted to act and be con.
sdered as members of the Convention. A mo-
ton was then made that Delegates be appointed
TO attend the State Convention. This motion
led to warm and animated discussion It was
supported by A. Rice, Esq, of Northboro', Col.
Gardner Burbank of Worcester, John Hobart,
Esq, of Leicester, and Col. Pliny Merrick of
Worcester; the latter of whom went at large
into an examination of the pretensons and util-
ity of that society, of which he avowed himself
member. 1t was opposed by Isaac Goodwin,
Esq, on the ground of its inexpediency, believ-
ing that the objects of the meeting could better
be accomplished by some other mode The
motion was finally carried without division.
A committee was then appointed to nominate
list OF Delegates, who, after retiring a short
time, made report which was accepted by the
meeting, and the following Delegates were ap-
pointed:
Col. Pliny Merrick of Worcester, Rev. JOS.
COTE Of Mibury, John Hobart, Esq, of Lei
cester, Asaph Rice, Esq, of Northboro', Fred
enck w. Bottom, Esq, of Southbridge, Lovett
Peters, Esq of Westborough, Gen. Franklin
Gregory of Royalston, Isaac Goodwin, Esq, of
Worcester, Col. Gardner Burbank of Worces-
ter, Col. Zebulon Cary of Ward, Deac. VIM
Cheever of North Brookfield, Rev John Fisk of
New Braintree, Rev. Benjamin Wood of Upton
Rev. Isaac Allen of Bolton, Capt Elisha John
son of Southboro', Gen. Ivers Jewett of Fitch.
burg, Nathan Pratt of Shrewsbury, Walter Liv-
ermore of Spencer, Joseph Hinds Esq, of w.
Boylston, Hon. Bezaleel Taft of Uxbridge, Rev.
Josiah Clark of Rutland, John L. Boylston.
bOro', Jared Lamb, Esq, OF Sturbridge, Ebene-
ger Merriam, Esq, of West Brookfeld
A motion was then made that the Delegates
be instructed not to engage in any scheme of
political or religious organization, or in any
nomination of candidates for public office. At
ter discussion, in which an intention to pro-
mote any such objects was very fully disclaim-
ed, and in which the motion wa~ opposed, on
the ground that is would be indicate to in
struos the Delegates on subject which was not
considered as appertaining, in any wise, to their
appointment, and in which it had never been
contemplated that they should engage, the mo-
ton was put and negatived. 1t was then NOV
ed, as substitute for the last motion, that the
mover thereof, Jonas L. Sibley, Esq, of Sutton,
and Rev. Nathaniel Thayer of Lancaster, both
members of the masonic fraternity, be added to
the list of Delegates. The motion was put and
carried without division.
1t was then voted that Col PIiny Merrick,
Gen. Nathan Heard, and Col. Gardner Bur-
bank, be committee to correspond with dis.
tingushed Masons in the several parts of the
County, in order to ascertain their views on the
subject of speculative Free Masonry. 1t was
then moved that the same persons be Stand
ing Committee for the County, to call future
meetings if necessary, and TO take any other
measures which they may think proper in rela-
ton 10 the subject. After voting that the pro-
ceedings be published, the meeting was dis
solved.
The late hour at which the meeting closed
prevents our giving a more detailed account Of
tho proceedings this week. We will remark,
rum was preserved and it was gratifying to
see masons and anti-masons mingled together
in the meeting, and engaging in the discussions,
without any appearance of i'll will or of undue
excitnmnnt