The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-07-13
From the Nsp York Amsr;can.
ANTI. CONpv


ANTLMASONRY.
In presenting TO our readers the letter ofMr
hush, we are furnished with a fitting opportu.
nity OF saying few words upon subject that
Is destined to BECOME, in this State at least, Of
great, u not OF paramount interest The causes
which gave rise 10 anti-masonry are fairly tho
strongly stated in Mr.. Rush's letter. Il had
It's origin IN an outrage, which, befors its oc.
cu.rencs' would have been Indignantly pronoun-
ced impossible by every American, and which
since its preparation, has defed ali the tribu-
mails, all the authorities, and all the laws of the
State for its punishment. II is, then, as cause.
pure in its originator it springs from honest
Indignation against triumphant guilt, and alb.
horrence of great crime, daringly perpstrated
In the face of day, and until this hour unavene.
ed 1t was strengthened, it cannot be denied.
by the luke-warmness, which in the midst, and
on the very spot, of its greatest excitement,
was manifested BY one, and only one, particular
class OF persons, the masons With the impet.
uosity of passion the conclusion was at once
jumped te-as masons confessedly had commit
ted the crime, and other masons did not express
equal adherence at it with their fellow citizens
generally-that it was a crime permitted, ifnot
enJoined, by the rules that society; and forth
with indignation was directed from the individ-
ual actors, to the Order, under whose secret, but
comPulslve, obligations, they were alleged to
be acting. Assailed as a body, the masons, nat
urally enough, as body, resisted; and thus
two great parties have been marshalled in this
republic with no other common bond of adhe-
sion between their members than, on the ono
hand, opposition 10 masonry, and an avowed pur-
pose to destroy its influence, by making its fell
lowshlp bar TO all honors and trusts and, on
the other, resolute resistance to prescription
on such grounds. The enthusiasm of the as.
sailants, as in all cases where popular enthusi.
asm is highly wrought, has been more than q
match tor its opponents; and wherever anti
masonry has been once introduced, it has cir.
eulated with contagious rapidity defyiag all
let's and hindrances In country like ours, il
was not TO be expected, that an influence which
thus controlled the acts of a numerous popula-
ton, would be overlooked by political aspirants
or adventures. Hence it is no matter of sur.
prise, that such persons, adrot and subtle, have,
from time TO time, succeeded in having them
selves put forth as champions and advocates of
cause, while, in fact, they were probably in
different wholly to its aims, except in as far ss
they might aid their own elevation Some of
them,-and notably the individual put forth, in
1928, as the .4ntimasenic candidate for Cover
nor OF New York, were Of such notorious char
acter, as to render cooperation, on the part of
tar and dlslnterested men, with party so led,
Impossible. AS the cause has gained strength,
1t has too gained in the worth of those it pre-
sents as candidates and, at the last election,
they were such, as no man could gainsay and
.AntimaSonry is now great, jealous and grow
ing political party. AS SUCH it must be con-
sidered and dealt with, whether we will or no.
The reasons and reflections which have led
such man as Mr.. Rush TO embrace its cause,
warmly, will yet affect thousands and tens
of thousands of others ; and the question for
those who, like ourselves, do not think such
party likely to act with calnness and Justice, 10
simply, whether its fair aims may not be at
tanned without wrong to any and thus its ex-
istence be terminated by the cessation of its
cause
We think this possible and it is ito borrow
the language of Mr.. Rush) "to the good men
who are Masons," I" TO the candid men of the
Society,"" we would appeal for aid in an under
taking so praiseworthy. Masonry in this
country 10 surely not an essential institution.
II 10 not needed, either to preserve the spirit Of
liberty and mature plans for its propagation, as
in Europe it is supposed to have done or to
dispense charity to the needy-for all really
deserving of charity can find other sources at
which to apply. If then it be not deemed an
essential institution, while it is undoubtedly,
whether wrongfully or rightfully. makes no
difference as to the resulO an institution of
which the existence tends TO distract society,
embitter tho dearest relations, and embarrass the
even and ordinary tenor of private and public
affairs, why should it not, by voluntary sur
render Of its charters, make a noble sacrifice to
the public peace an oblation, free and gener-
ous upon the altar OF patrotisms Why should
not masons unite with other citizens in asking
from the Legislature law, prohibiting for the
future, and under adequate penalties, the ad.
ministration of secret oaths? Why should they
any longer desire to stand apart fIom the mass
of their countrymen? Why, without any AIDE.
quate motive or conscientious impulse, subject
themselves to the suspicion, unjust though it
may be, Of preferring the obligation Of a secret
society to the higher and more solemn obliga-
tions Of humanity, justice, and patriotism ! II
the good men who are masons" will unite
their efforts with those of the influential mass
Of moderate men, who stand between them and
the anti-masons-and by voluntarily putting an
end to masonry, take from their opponents all
prstence Of future dread from that institution,
they will confer benefit upon their State and
upon the nation, immeasurably greater we are
persuaded, than Masonry ever did, or ever can
achieve.
FusrLr. One of Fuseli's arguments in favor
of future life was, that this life was so short
that few men had time to perform a quarter Of
what they were capable Of doing and that a.
nothing was created in vain, therefore, those
powers were to be exerted in some other state
| Of existence. have heard him exclam, al
have done nothing; am capable Of doing ten
times more than I had time for doing" By
way of urging him on, said that was no proof
Of future life. alt 10 enough for me" said he;
az know that am immortal, and shall live
again! Looking at me and laughing, 81
know nothing about you !; you may DO ciod OF
earth for what know--I know am immor-
ltalp
| A usrty Of Irishmen, about 10 60 on water
excursion, being weary Of waiting for one Of
their companions, who had not yet arrived at
the place Of embarkation, one Of them poevish-
! " exclaimed, "this 10 always the way, whoa
we are all here thsre 10 always one missing"
Whsa 10 door not door s--whss Il 10 9
jar.