The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-09-28

eminent. With this state oil thinRsi l. HaNt
reason TO believe the great majority OF my lei
low citizens have, thus far, been content. Bu
your letter, if mistake not its import, sug
gests, in this respect n new position for the
Executive to assume. In the reference made
by YOU to the Ballot Box, and the avowed de
termination 10 carry the subject OF PRECURSOR
~ into our political elections, accompanied
with the information that a Convention is yet
TO be called for the purpose of nominating can
didates to be supported BY the Anti Masonic
party, at the Gubernatorial Election, there is
distinct admonition, that these candidates are
TO be elected with regard to their Anti Masonic
opinions, and that the honor of your support will
be bestowed upon those only, who would give
the influence of office to the measures ola Par
tn, professediy Oyg0nized for The promotions
and success Of 4Rti-.NaSoary Under such cir
cumsiances, with what propriety | could COM
plv with any requirement as precedent con-
dition to my own nomination, | humbly and
respectfully submit to yourselves, in the exer-
else Of a spirit of liberaity and candor, 10 con-
slider.
If, therefore, in answer to your particular in
auries, the fact of nv entire freedom from any
connection, at any and all times, withth lnsti-
tuition of Fresmasonry; if the most vigilant
and cautious watchfuness to discover and guard
against its attempted or supposed influence or
bias in the administration of the Government
belief that the Institution is wholly unneces-
sary and useless to the objects which it processes
and from its secrecy, is easily susceptible, I'M
der the direction of bad men, of being made an
instrument of much mischiefto the community ;
that its initiatory rites and mystical ceremo-
MES, its obligations and penalties, in their form
and nanner as now disclosed and published
are justly rep-ehensible and offensive; the
opinion that all extra judicial oaths are unlaw-
full, and that any engagement which may con-
fict with moral principle, or is inconsistent
with fidelity to the State is in ITSELF immediate
ly and absolutely void if the deepest abhor
renee and reprobation of the tragic scene acted
in a neghboring State, and equal regret and
indignation that the ihsigators, agents, and
abettors in the foul deed of secret murder, the
accessories before after the fact, whoever thew
may be, and however associated, have been able,
hitherto, triumphantly 10 deride the demands of
justice and escape merited conviction and punish
ment ;-ifthese opinions and sentiments long en-
tertained, and at all times freely expressed. are
not satisfactory, have nothing further to offer.
l have neither professions nor stipulations to
make for the present occasion. The administra-
tion of Government should never be identified by
the measures Of party Sincerely and earnestly
as desire the dissolution and extinction of the
Institution of Freemasonry, and greatly as
should rejoice in the voluntary abandonment OF
it by Its members, from conviction, that. at the
best, in its character of secrecy and mystery !,
is obnoxious to the spirit of Republican zeal.
ousy, and has become the occasion of alarm nd
apprehension to many good and INTELLIGENT
minds, and of excitement, division and dissen.
tions among the People. rs the Chief .Nog;c.
trate of the Commonwealth, lean unite ,n,Is,It
1cith no combination of men, in means foI ~
suppression. Neither can consent 70 c.rrT,
the controversy which exists on this subiecf
by the appeal of one portion of my Fellow Cit.
lzens against smother, alike my constituents. in.
to the Chair OF State. Believe me, Gentlemen
this would be doing violence TO the hest intar
eSts of the community. 1t were indeed mon.
strous to doubt, that among masons there .ro
loyal citizens and true hearted patriots, roeu
who although adhering to the Graft bear We,
greater love to their country, to whom Tho
mystic tie never suggested the poss;bIo i'll
ton Of a moral principle and who would ~,
recognize an obligation inconsistent ,r;,h -
performance of every social and civil H. '"'
When to this character is added tolentsanSy
eminent qualifications for usefulness tho
have right TO the service of such nen m fTi r,
of which they are not to be deprived bv the an
plicatlon OF principle of exclusion unknown 10
the Law and the Constitution.
While | remain in the Administrators -,
the Government, l shall endeavor steadily
impartlally and Independently, to pursue
the great interests of the Commonwealth. no,
suffering myself to be entangled in connection
with sAy party, but seeking the advice and
grateful Tor the aid of the INTELLIGENT. The dis
Greet, and the patriotic of all parties lin this
do not practically adopt the opinion, exnres
sed in your letter, that our country is upde,
the dominion and influence of Freemasonry.
nor yet subscribe TO that other sentiment, that
FleeihaSohs are to be brought, as men anc
gooo cltlzens, back to their country" it is be-
cause mat IN ms favored Commonwealth, the
land OF good institutions, Of schools, and Bibles
ana moral ana religious observances, | cannot
olstrust the hdelity of a numerous class of nv
leilow- citIzens, nor see elsewhere in the error,
ana crimes OF a few misguided, deluded. wratcb
ca men, evidence ofthe degradation and seryi
tude ofthe nation.
FOR the very fatterng assurance of resnect
ana personal regard entertained towards me- by
Inc Antl-Masons of Massachusetts. which voT
are pleased to express, beg you to accent my
grateful Acknowledgements. These sentiment,
could nave been received by me with satifac
uoh, only IN the consciousness, that with nuri
y oil motive and singleness of purpose. bav,
devoted the best of my humble abilities imnar
uaiiy TO the services of all nv fellow citizen,
IN the duties OF the station which their urr,or
tied favor conferred upon me.
nave the honor to be, Gentlemen,
with the most respectful consideration.
Your obedlent servant.
To Abner Phelps. George Odiorne. Jacoh HI,
John D. Williams, Benz. w. LanJ,. Benz v
French, }. P. Whitwell, William Marston
nehrytIassett, L. Valley, Daniel Weld. ant