The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-10-12

Convention in Boston, held for the purpose of
nominating candidates for State officers for the
next political year, the Anti-Masonic State Com
mittee addressed communication TO His tx
cellency, Governor Lincoln, requesting his views
upon the subject of Masonry, undoubtedly with
view to his nomination their candidate. The
answer of Governor Lincoln was such as every
high-minded honorable, and Independent man
would have given in his situation and it discIos
ed the sentiments, we venture TO assert, of every
intelligent man in this community who is neither q
Mason or a political Anti-Mason. He acknowl-
edged the uselessness of the institution of Mason
ry-he expressed his adherence ofits oaths and OBJ
legations as published to the word-he expressed
his approval OF all legitimate means to enlghten
public opinion in regard to its character, and avow-
ed his wish that the institution might be peaceably
abolished. He asserted his entire freedom now and
at all times from any participation in its concerns
and his determination that its influence should
never be felt, directly indirectly in his admin
straton of the affairs of this Commonwealth. AT
the same time he expressed his conviction. that
there ever had been, and now were, members of
that institution, whose high character for integrity
intelligence, patriotism, and every civil virtue ne
gatived, beyond doubt the idea that they cousid-
cred their masonic obligations as paramount to
their civil duties; their allegiance to the Lodge.
superior to their allegiance to their country-tbat
believing thus he could not consent to pledge him
self to exclude such men from participation in
public offices.
The Convention assembled; this answer was
before them, and they nominated a candidate for
Governor in opposition TO Gov. Lincoln. This is
proof irrefraga5le of the position assumed above
that the Anti-Masonic party in this Commonwealth
VIII support no man who will not consent to pro-
scribe all masons
Are we ready, fellow citizens, to adopt such a
principle Are we ready whatever NAV he nur
opinion of the utter futity of the order OF lis iv
olous rites and ceremonies, and of its possible per-
version TO mlschievous purposes,-are we ready to
assert our belief that mason cannot be an honest
man, or true citizen. Can we believe that Clinton
the great of the present age associated
himself with men whose known principles were at
war with the best interests of society? That the
venerated Washington could lend the sanction of
his great name, to a society, whose known oblipa.
tons might compel him to conceal treason to his
country nay more, might compel him to become
mseii traitor to that country, which he mad res
cued from the grasp of oppression All the facts
that have yet been arrayed against Masonry, start
ling as they may he, cannot compel us to believe
that such men as these were, and such as we know
many OF the initiated now to be, forfeited their
fidelity and their allegiance to their country, by
their Masonic association.
We can never, therefore, consent to support any
party whose principle of political action is an ut.
ter distranchisement of whole class of the COM
munity, whose whole life and conduct leave NOT
shade OF suspicion upon the purity of their pari-
otisD.
JUN oOiuB INC dfoWeu principles OF the Anti
Masonic party here, you are now called upon to de-
eide, whether you will permit such principles to
rule in the Councils of this Commonwealth-and
we trust that, in the true spirit of civil liberty
which holds every man innocent until he is proved
to be guilty, you will decide in the negative.
In consequence of the organization of these two
parties in this State, in opposition to the National
Republican party, double obligation is imposed
upon US to exert ourselves with activity at the
approaching election--though we should have
but little to fear from either party singy, yet whe
combined their influence may possibly defeat an
election. Though there is no sympathy betwee
the Jackson and the Anti-Masonic parties. vet tn
former, in its helplessness in this State is wiin
toseize upon any aid which may enable it to dees
its great antagonist-and it will accordingly be
found that, the Jackson party will secretly if no
openly, encourage the efforts of the Anti -Ma,on,.
Their first object is to put down. no matter by whs
means, the present popular Administration of th S
Stae and then trust to fortune and to futurity to
secure them the succession.
AT this crisis, then. fellow citizens in view of all
this array Of opposition, let us do our duty. Let
us not rest In confident security upon the strength
OF our party, until we experience our weakness in
defeat, but let US all appear at the polls and once
more let our enemies know that our ranks are vet
unbroken our strength yet undiminished and our
success still secure.