The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-04-16
IConcluded from our last

u REPORT, &c. IA
Concluded from our last 49,.
Whether the existence of such n society,
holding itslaeeungs IN secret paces,goard-
ing the entrance To her conclapes With tho
instruments Of death bind,ng her ,o,srles
with such ties, atiording lhcln protection
when IN difficulty, right or wrong rec
garding her own laws as paramonni 10 tho
laws oi the land, is incompatible with cur
free institutions, should be taken INTO seri-
GUS consideration. The subject aadresscs
itself to our love Of county, In the most
imposing torm;and however disagreeable il
may be, We should not shrink from the OK
animation. ..
Your committee are aware. that any
measureswhich maybe taken with the view
of removing this evil. will be called intol-s
Grant Ii will be said. that the society or
sect of ireemasons, are entitled 10 The same,
protection as other assoc iations tor chartar
bic purposes& mutuatimproyement, There
eau be no question but tina, fIccmasons,
have n right TO assemble, transact their,
business in their own way, SO long as their
business is lawful, and they in ne why M
ure others, or cndanger the state. But
that meDmsy meet iorany pul pose, and form
associations, whose tendency is To seteen,
The guilty and sap the foundations Of cNf;
berty. is inconsistent with the genius Of
our government has the right to provide
for its own safety, and 10 prohibit any thing
that tends TO its own subversion.--A eov-i
crnment without such right could be no
value 10 the community that edopted IT,.
If irecmasonry has dangerous features,
there certainly can be no doubt OF the
right of the Legislature 10 require those
features TO be eXpunged. II 1t IL, NJ its
friends contend, merely an association to
promote charity and social intercourse, il
has no occasion for such obnoxious oaths,
of character so different from the real OBJ
jccts of the institution Why such horrid
penalties 10 enforce the practice Of such
duties. and to effect such objects?
Your committee cannot believe that tho
rights OF any citizen would be- abridged. hy 4
forb,dding him 10 PM himscll under srch
obligations, or to ,pariake IN rites, directly !
Gale ulsted TO corrupt the pubc morals We
have not only right to prohibit Grim. but
to prevent men fiom binding thtmse,es 10
It's commission. y
Your committee believe. that ihe ihstili-
tion Of ireemasonry owes it's dangerous cha.
racter to its obligations, hicb are rnppos-
ed, upon noyiciates, wIlhou, making known ?
to them their nature. Destitute Of heir
sanctions, and the bond OF nnion they pro-
duce, Obe sure consequences ofthe barbs-
rons penalties that are interviewer into
their texture, Gt would lose ITS misc hic,ous
tendency, and be completely sborn oi its
locks. Its boasted cement. which owes rs
influence to ono Of the strongest, tho not
tho noblest, passions OF the human heart,
would lose its power; and the mighty di-
fee that effects to defy tho world in aims"
would fall by I,s own weight. II irecma-
sous are tenacious OF their orhemcnis, badg. p
es and vcsiments, let them continue to uso
them, aud to display them in public, Il it /.
will afford them any amusement Or pleas
ure. But certainly IT Is asking too much of
this community, to require US t. iolcrate
them in the use of onihs which tend direct
ly 10 sap The foundations of our ire, irttiiu-
tons, and to subyen tho citadel OF Liberty.
Your committee believe that tho passage
of law, prohibiting the administration Of
extra Judicial oaths, would produce many
salutary results, disconnected viii the ma
sonic institution. Tho committee who, mt
the last session, reported the bill 10 prevent
the administration of such osths, say, With
great force aud Justice that tho frequent,
unauthorized and lrrevarent administration
of oaths has powerful influcnce 10 destroy
that religious senslbllity To their nature, end
that scrupulous and conscientious regord TO
all their requirements. which alone cntitle
them to confidence. Great and ehligbten-
cd men have, with one accord, condemned
the multiplication of oBths, with or With
out the sanction Of law ns immoral and i'm 4.
polite" II such remarks are correct with
respect 10 oaibs administered IN the usua-
al form, what shall We say fthosc present
ed 20 the consideration Of the house, and
which are said 10 be taken under crcum-
stances Of peculiar degradation II must
be perfectly obvious to every one who viii
make himself uc acquainted with their noturo
and provisions, that they must frequently
put IN the power Of men, desperate in prin-
ciple and deprsved in morals To exercise q
commanding influence over men Of pure
principles and upright intentions; that not
unfrequeply the vlrtuoUs citizen finds his
known duties clasbng with bis masonic OBJ
LEGATIONS. Cases must frequently occur
which require conscientious individual,
either 10 disregard an oath imposed by the
authority Of his country. or ono he hns Ia
ken in masonic assembly. Cnses go dis
lressing and embarrassing should always
be prevented if practicable NJ they servo
10 ensnarc the conscience 10 blunt The NOR
al sense, and 10 wcsken the security which
is sought to be obtained by requiring the
confirmation Of on oath.
Your committee forbcor IN enlarge upon
the ease With which sn institution, ,consti,u.
ted ps freemasonry is, might affect our O.
leciions and keep It's influence out ofsight.
The citizens ofthe western counics, when
their attention wus called 70 the subject, by
the strange transactions wls d took place