Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-01-19


men had actually assembled and partici-
pated in the doings of this very essential
and timely Convention, from pure sense
of what was really and absolutely neces-
say as regards the future prospects and
welfare of Rhode-Island. We have un-
til now refrained from taking any paric-
uar notice oithat Convention, nor should
we at this time if a downright imposition
had not been palmed off upon the public
by those who were Immediately concern
ed in it. Newport, according to the sig
natures attached to Memorial got up
by this Convention, was represented in
the Convention by trelre delegates, ap-
pointed Ito use the words preceding the
McmoriaD by every considerable por-
ton" of their constituents. How stands
the fact as respects this matter? For
two or three days previous to Christmas,
we believe, the great champion Of anti
masonry in this town, DR.. Benz. Waite
Case, the Right Worshipful, would-be,
master of the Real bona fde St. Johns
Lodge No. /, and finally President
Of the Great Anti-masonic State Conyen-
ton held in Providence-this gentleman,
we say, for two or three days before
Christmas, summoned his very numerous
body of anti-masonic brethren to appear
at place appointed by him, for the all-im-
portant purpose of electing - delegates
to attend the proposed Convention which
was subsequently held in the town of
Providence. Christmas arrived, and
sure enough "a very considerable portion
of the anti-masons in this town, n,met, ,pursu-
ant to notice, consisting ofthe Doctor and
fire others-three OF which we are assur-
ed went out Of curiosity-and twelre dele
gates were accordingly appointed to 90
to the said Convention Three OF the
twelve that were appointed, being actual
ly present at this meeting, absolutely and
peremptorily refused taking any part in
the business at all-those who were not
present, and whose names were made
use of, never gave their consent to be
considered as delegates, and in two in
stances, at least, we know Of an explicit
denial's being made before this meeting
of ga very considerable portion" of the
anti-masons took place-yet notwith-
standing all these facts, which are sus-
ceptible of positive proof, they, the actu-
al members ofthat Convention, have had
the audacity to write the names Of the
twelve men, appointed in the manner as
above stated, to Memorial, purporting
to have been signed by the men them
selves in Anti-masonic State Convention,
as members Of that Convention, when in
fact, but bare two, Benz. Waite Case,
and John Peckham) were all that attend
ed or even troubled themselves about the
Convention; while three fourths at least,
OF the remaining ten, were entirely igno-
rant of the use that was thus unceremo-
niously made of their names, until they
beheld them in glaring capitals printed
in full length atthe foot ofthis memorial to
the General Assembly, got up by this all
wise Convention, for the purpose of ex-
terminating masons and masonry. We
cannot conceive of a greater imposition
upon the public, and especially upon
those who are thus held up to the gaze
Of the world as partizans in a cause in
which they feel no possible interest
whatever, and which, of all others, en-
crosses the least of their atten ention' To
what extent this kind Of imposition was
carried in the other towns, we have not
been informed, but have right to pre-
sumo this is fair specimen of the Con-
vention as it really was. We do not pro-
fess, as we have again and again stated,
to be either masons or anti-masons, but
when We see such sort of deception as
this practised upon the public, let i. como
from masons or anti-masons, to effect po-
litical purposes, we shall not 80 much lose
sight of our duty ,as to let it pass oTunno-
ticcd.
------------------------- ---------------------
The present posture of our National
Affairs is peculiar and alarming The