Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-09-09

means would nave Deen lslI uutilSu ~ ~ ~
Nov, here is the case OF Morgan nj
and Masonry, simply but substantially stated, e
The only defect is, that, for brevitys sake, h
concede too much to Masonry IN the case as u
sumed.
And. is there any thing in the masonic So a
ciety that should exempt it from the fate to C
which such newborn society would nave
been exposed What is it that gives to the ,
former, privileges beyond any other associa-
ton of men, that we should not honestly and
fearlessly denounce it, and trample upon It, as
its own adherents trample upon the Iawt--
What is the meaning of the statutes of pre-
munire, OF which the horn-books OF the law
give us an account? Do we not know, that
the essence of the offence at which they were
leveletl, consisted in introducing into the land
Ia power above the law; something that pre-
vented its fair execution Andhas not masonry
done this very thing in Morgan's case? Wel'
Twill say that prohibitory statutes might not be /
enacted against the Institution in New York
There would have been little hesitation, we
imay be assured, in bringing the Turkish soci-
tsty, the case of which | have put, under thel
lsharpest legislation, il it had not been madeI
Ito disappear under more immediate bursts of
public detection. And on what plea should
masonry escape? Its antiquity? This is pre-
|cisely the strongest reason for putting it down.
Ancient abuses are sure to be the most iorml-
liable, in every community disGgured by their
existence. They make claim to sanctity on
Ithis ground, like the English rotten borough
|system, and work evil the more fatally under
Ievery form. Time is power which the art
Iful play off upon the creduIity of mankind. Do
1--we require the proof? How else could it have
happened, that masonry has stood even to this
day in country like ours, whilst indulgng it.
itself in pagentres and taking to itself titles,
THAT have not only been banished from Europe
e Ian countries, but that surpass all Asiatic cx-
elaggeration, and have been forced to seek refuge
e in the uncvilized or rufhan states Of such
i courts as Timbuctoo and Algers Positively
p there is an excess in them, picture of elabo.
rate burlesque revolving to all nationality, ant
l. that might we'll starte the tabled Menus, could
,e HE raise his visor to behold them. The eXpla
h nation is HISTORICAL but where is any longe
oflthe excuse? Whatever the more recent dat
j. Iof its regular formation in Britain, Masonr,
IL rose up in Europe, in times full of barbarisn
I'd 1t has remained at anchor, surrounded BY it
he preiudices, whilst the current has borne thu
rest of society onward, enlightening it in al
its ways, but in none more than in getting rit
of III seief5rT1 sstfi f,rs1f y7-.
ernment, but in all the concerns of life. II
tie these two attributes masonry clings with a
lg especial tenacity. She would have the worl
es Imagine, that the charity which other societie
&c can dispense with simplicity betting thi
l. Virtue, and which Heaven teaches every MAJ
r. to -bestow with open palm upon his brothe
Or man though he be no brother mason. mast al
rs he performed in conjunction with mimic signs
re the memorials of a rude and tyrannous age
tn 1t was an age when the strength of the human
,g understanding was displayed by its belief il
If astrology; when freedom was shown BY tn
w vassalage of the common people; and whel
an barons and bishops not being able to writ
oh their Names made their significant marks in
Sc stead Their eof; after the fashion, we may sup
IS, pose, of some of the still enduring symbols {
err freemasonry! Such was its peculiar age; sue
on the advancement of intellect such the cond
i'll ton of civil liberty in the atmosphere of whic
a it inhaled its nutriment. An appropriate an
is, beneficial pattern, for moulding the principle
it. and warming the affections of American re
IN publicans!
at The follies over which time throws its mar
It, tie in the case Of this Institution, are egregiou
in and grotesque. Any mind that will contem
it plate them in the abstract rather than the cor
g. crete, must get awake to their exorbitancy
es But these might be overlooked perhaps on ii,
DIS principle of leaving all men to the fruition
their own tastes, did not time do much MOI
ad for masonry. Its awful hoar becomes cove
we for its downright enormities. This is a stron
to expression, but not too strong--not stron
me enough-as what am now to state will prov,
OR The friends zoho actually took the life Of Nh,
ill gan, have not, as we know to this hour bee
zen discovered; but some of the brotherhood VIII
rs, had hand in the conspiracy, have been cor
us victed and sent to prison. Will it be CREDITED
So that these convicts are still permitted to retail
aid their membership in the New York Lodge.
nd This is the Jact. They are the companions {
CIV felony in the Jail, and of masonry out of i
lty one day conserving with the brotherhood {
tn, malefactors; the next, with their own brother
es. hood! You gentlemen, are probably aware {
cy, this fact.-I derive it not from the Anti mi
-ds sonic newspapers alone. but recently, throne