Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-10-20

to the people Of The State, which, so far as
we are acquainted with Masonry, we know
to be correct:
1--WE hold our Charters under the govern
ment-we know that,Government has rsht
10 fall and complete investigation oil our con
ceros-to Government we owe and renoer
differentiation And further, we know that
,Sben our doincs shall be found not 10 be m
..rict conformity to tine "Constitutlon and
laws Of the lana, our Charters will be, and
as honest men and good citizens, say ougLi
10 be- forfeit and void Aud folly aware OF
all this, we solemny pledge ourselves to ex
tend 10 the Legislature, every aid and iaeIil
Nv IN our mower, 10 carry on such an InvestI-
cation: whenever that body shall call upon us
10 do so; and cheeriully abide the issue"
"rbat we have secrets, (say they,) we
frankly acknowledge but that we have any
which cannot he disclosed, but at the hazard
Of life we DENY: we have 10 doubt, the Me
uofialis.s in this part OF their petition had
their eve on the supposed murder Of William
MORGAN by Masons OF that supposed act,
we can only say, we can neither affirm nor
DENY: because We know nothing about II.
We solemnly aver in the sight OF Heaven and
appeal 10 the Great Seareher Of hearts to test
our sincerity. that we have never received,
given. nor counienanced any obligation, re
curing or sanctienng the sacrifice Of life, as
the penalty for disclosing Masonic secrets
We further declare, that we know OF no oh
LEGATION or permission either in the laws or
principles of Masonry, to iniiict any penalty
in any case, bes ond that of expulsion from
the Lodge. Nor do we believe any Masonic
obligation or principle 10 be so understood
by Mdsons, as TO warrant any act not inliy
justified by the Constitution and laws OF the
land We as cordially detcst the crime OF
lawless murder. rs any other body OF men.
Such was the act Of dcpriying William Nor
gan Of life, If perpetratcd either by Masons
or others. Who were his mnrdeTcrs, or by
whom the act was sanctioned, IS absolutely
unknown 10 rs But this we can say with
certainty; we hold no fellowship with any
man, or holy Of men, 10 our knowledge and
belief. who would either pcrpetrate IT them
selves or sanction it in others.
THAT we prefer Mason in ALL CASES
is not true That we "prcier in Gay case"
unless he~he worthy, as a man, IS not true.
That we give bin any preference whatever,
except III acts, IN which, 'thc Constitution
and the laws" have no concern, IS not true.
1t is not true that ve receive, lmpart, or sane
ton any obligation, that we understands TO
require the performance Of an act towards
Mason, that we know or suppose viii result
in injury or injustice, 10 another, nota Ma
son; nor in any way TO impede or arrest the
course of justice, public or private, legal or
moral, in any case whatever And further,
to shew that in all this, we have acted in per
feet accordance With the spirit and prlnci
pies of Masonry, we would state what all
Mnsons and Seeding Masoos known to be
true, that IT IS standing and invariable rule
in every Lodge. and from which, no depar-
tnre is ever tolerated, to inform The candi-
date that mo Mason obligation must inter
fere with his religious or political opinions.
nor bis duty to God and his country With
the declarations above, and knowledge of
these facts, ii is difficult FOR Us TO discern.
how NJ asontr obligations can lead men 10
violate the Constitution andla of the land
or encroach on the province OF religion and
morality"