Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-03-04

The Anti. Masonic State Committee of
Massachusetts, havc addressed to US parrph-
let of thirty two pages, containing "a brief
report of the Debates and Proceedings ef the
Anti Masonic State Convention, held III fa-
ncuil Hall nethe last DAYS of lS29.' lherc
are names in the lists Of the committee and
tie members, which are familiar TO us histor-
icaly; but we are not personally acquainted,
we think, with any of the individuals. They
are not, we suppose, the persons who take
the lead in the poitical and social concerns
generally of Massachusetts, Their pamph-
leteeald not have been placed before being
less likely to be interested or enlisted in their
cause, than the editor Of this gazette. He is
not Mason, nor has he ever had any rela-
.ions or business with any man as such. He
does not positively know, though he may
presume, that there are Masons on the sub
scrptlon hist of the gazette.
The distinction of Masons and Anti Ma
sons, is one of which he has never thought,
in any transaction, of public or private ma
tire; and he can venture to affirm that the
ease Of the vast majority of the inha bitants
Of Philadelphia, is the same. Philadelphia
comprises very many Masons;--yvc have ne
yer heard any complaints against them in the
aggregate, Br indiyidually:--if they do mis-
chef, or intend mischief, they are marvel
leusty secret indeed, for nothing appcars--no
evil is ielt-no symptoms are peIceptibae.-
Ave enjoy here a gentle excitement;--no 9th
er topics we are temporarily earnest, and
frequently rhetorical and gregarious about
the ends of rail roads, the Chcrokees, the
State loans, the bank charters, and so forth !;
bat VIC have not even any stirring repiUais
and stiH less do we trouble ourselves about
the ''Architcctonick" and high titled broth
erhood
The Massachusetts convention have for
mally sanctioned the proposition "ior Ma
tional Anti Masonic Convention TO be holden
IN Philadelphia, on the 18th September next"
If the convocation was for this season, when
the two rivers are ice-bound, and the coal
trade and foreign commerce are arrested land
the other subjects of wholesome or necessary
agitation nearly exhausted, we should feel
some alarm for the public peace and cordial
ty: but we are relieved by The choice of Sep
tenlber, when the legislature, which seeaas to
he slightly infected Will be accommodated,
and perhaps wholly characterization the
steamboats, and coal-boats will be in fGll ope-
ration; when public good humor and private
good hupnor wiil have been freShened by
Journeys for health or pleasure, when the
French opera will he in Chestnut street, and
other questions ofdmnestic or national inter
est, interposed to prevent us from regarding
the phantasmagoria with whichwe are threat
ened.
Judging from the little that was said in the
Boston papers, and the tone OF that itde res
pectipg the Convention held there, we may
add that it excited no sensation, and made
few proselytes. Though we are yet very far
FROM the grand clunacteric, we have seen
strange things; but we certainly have not
been prepared, by orr share of experience tor
witnessing the extension in the United States,
Of the Anti-MasOnlc crusade. We did not
expect TO hear, from assemblies in Faneul
Hall appeals to the work of Robinson and
Barruei. and assurances that Weifhaughts
shhnliaiSna has been SYSTEMATICALLY planted
and daiused over this land---that the mason
/ &c fraternity have erected for themselves
distinct and independent government within
our rcpubEc--that Free Masonry has gained
a complete ascendency over the presses and
4 .tItore nf Ap,ar,ca fhaf Tho ,.hful.x- ins.,.