Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-10-28

have often praised the virtues it claimed Tor
fl,n,,- loved v;rtue. and hoped the claim was .
lust. But they never imbibed its spirit or
Knowingly approved its principles, From the
FIRST step of their initiation, they always sus-
pected both. If they did not, we should nave
heard from some of the ten thousand conscien,
tious and patriotic seceders, who have opened
the door upon all its proceedings OF fathers lea
ding their sons to the masonic altar. Among
them all, the seceders have probably witnessed
admissions into nearly every lodge in the IN
ion. No one has told you, that he ever assis-
ted at the initiation of his own son, or knew
nny other father to do so. in relation to his son.
Is not this a most honest, legible, and fatal
condemnation of the order, derived from witt
nesses the most competent and credible thought
-upwillng--even from the very hearts of itsI
adheriug members? What would not father
initiate his SON, the pride Of his life, the hope
of his age, the object of his prayers, into AMI
association Of honorable men most exclusively
designed, and most wisely adapted, to the in-
.culcaton of science, charity, igion!--ftow
Rave good fathers done, who have become
freemasons? Let each one look around among
his acquaintance, and recall his past observa-
tion, for the answer. They have discontinued
attendance upon the lodges. They have pre-
ferred other schools of science, for their chill
dren. They have resorted to better means OF
Expressing the love and practice of charity
upon their hearts. They have looked higher,
for their religion. Either the best of fathers,
who had Joined the lodge, were anti-masons in
the bottom of their hearts, knowing the insti-
tuition to be base imposture; or they hated
their children.
But how have members, who were most dis
tinguished for public honor and private virtue
out of the lodge, conducted in relation 10 it?
;, eel have ied m
who asked his advice about joining the society,
zone fool is enough in family When the
reputable and benevolent Jeremy Gridley, was
Grand Master of the Massachusetts, Masons,
before the most criminal degrees OF the order
were known in our country, he was inquired
of, bv young friend, whether 1t was worth
his while to become mason!--and he answer
ed No--with this pregnant addition by ag-
yregation to the society young man might
ACQUIRE little artificial support, but that HI
did not need it; and there was nothing in the
masonic institution 1v0rthy Of his seeking TO b.
associated 1uih it, The enquirer, afterwards
by his hold and freedom freighted thoughts
and the high bearing of his devoted expression
of them, was the most prominent agent In car
rying the declaration of independence, IN the
iIustrious Congress of '76.
But, Washington, and his brother officers OF
glorious memory, were masons. True. They
were admitted to three degrees. None OF them
went higher in the early days of our indepen'
dence. Washington never visited lodge bu
once or twice after 1853; and never presided
IN one. He afterwards in effect, renowned it
and so did large majority Of the officers be
fore alluded to, in their voluntary determine
ton to extinguish the Cincinnati Society. II
this Society they were bound by stronger tie
than masonry can offer to uncorrupted mind
&
INV. of which the golden links We're struck oil
and forged, in the welding hres OF our rev'
lutionary war.
The origin of this society was innocent; i
objects were laudable its laws were publis
ed its meetings were not secret: 1t administe
ed no oaths, imposed no penalties had no d
vision into degrees, and its members were re
pected and honored as the benefactors OF the
country: butt introduced distinctions betwe
its members and other citizens; its associat
wore badges, rihand and eagle; it was here
itary; admitted honorary members; and HI
funds for charity. Thus constituted. all t
wings of the country. in civil life, assoon as
was known to them. opposed 1t. rs eminent
dangerous to liberty. 1t had no political o
iects The conduct Of its members, and t
true purpose of the association were exceller
But it was liable to abuse. Political mea
were resorted to, for its abolition.--Governo
of states denounced it: legislative bodies c
pressed their opposition to it. by resolution
assemblies ofprivate citizens reprobated it; t
press sternly and universally rebuked it; t
whole country was excited to aiame against
Washington soon became sensible that
mightproduce political evils, which the pu
AMI strong motives. in which it originated. HI
hidden from the observation of its member
And he attended its first annual meeting d
termined to exert all his influence for its su
preston. He did so exert it. And the ord
was on the point of being annihilated by t
vote of the great mVo,ity of its members.
.,nmnlete annihilatinn was rnreuenteI npl,, l.,