The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-10-19
From lie Boston Patriot.


derstood that the Anti Masonic Convention,
recently held in this city, decided to run II
candidate against Gov. Lincoln at the APP
preaching election in November. 1t APP
pears that Gov. Lincoln is not sufficiently
Anti Mas onic, or exclusive, TO suit the views
of those who act for the Antl-Masons OF the
Commonwealth. He is therefore 10 he OPP
posed land it is understood, TINT, having first
endeavored to obtain the sanction OF Ex-
President Adams to their opposition, the
Anti-Masons have determined to rally,-he
being willing,-under the banner OF Hon.
Samuel Lathrop of West Springfield.
The reasonab,eness and consistency of
the Anti: Masons, who oppose Gov. Lincoln,
is fairly subject of discussion. II may he
assumed,-in fact, it is admitted by them,-
that Gov. Lincoln is to he opposed on Anti
Masonic ground. They do no: deny his
capacity, integrity, and fidelity. except so
far as these, his eminent qualifications, are
unaccompanied by, and wanting In, the
brighter and all-mportant one, of exclusive
Anti-Masenry. With this fact before them,
let the people of the Commonwealth, who
arc soon to pass npon the candidates pre-
scented for their suffrages, Judge the Anti
Masonic opposition. This is its position:
Gov. Lincoln is not a Mason has not
good opinion of the Institution thinks 1t
in the present condition of society useless,
and so far as his personal and unofficial In
fiuence goes, would have it cease to exist =
but he refusea, by any official action, to re-
cognize q connection with the Masonic In
stitution, as a reason for exclusion from OF
tce. He refuses to consider those, who
are Masons and who possess qualifications
for office, untitled for office by the circum-
stance of their being Masons. The su-
premacy of the Constitution and Laws, Gov
| Lincoln ever has enforced and again and
again has he in his official communications
| to the Legislature recognized this as his
paramount duty. One reason, tina. he as
signs for refusing to pledge himself to the
views of exclusive Anti-Masons, is that it
would be recognizing test Of qualification
| for Office, unkno,cn TO the Constitution. With
the full knowledge of these opinions OF Gov.
Lincoln, the Anti Masons are preparing to
resist his reelection, and by SO doing, pro-
claim as their principle of action, that no
man shall receive their suffrages for office,
who will not pledge himself in adrance to
the political ercluSion-or disfranchiSement
of a portion of has constituents, upon princi-
pies sanctioned, neither by the Laws nor
Constitution. If such be Anti Masonry in
Massachusetts, it may he regarded truly
fortunate, tina: its character is SO early ex-
hibited, before it had, under more speclons
garb, enlisted larger number of followers.
The intelligence and justice Of the people
must prevent the success of party, acting
on such principles.
But, when the sentiments of the Anti Ma
sonic candidate for President, Mr.. Writ,
are examined, it makes the inconsistency of
the Anti Masonic opposition to Gov. Lincoln
yet more apparent Mr.. Writ is a Mason
and recognizes the peculiar doctrines of
Anti-Masonry, no farther than to avow his
determination to cooperate in maintaining
The supremacy of the Latcs. He refuses 10
net on principle Of exclusion or even to
become their candidate, as the candidate
of party. His broad principle is to main
tain the supremacy of the Laws; in other
words, if elected President, 20 do what the
incumbent and every other man in high of
flee is sworn to do. If Mr.. Wirt's Anti
Masonry goes so far as Gov. Lincoln's, it is
equally true that Gov. Lincoln's goes as far
as Mr.. Wirt's; and the only solution Of the
evident Inconsistency between the support
of one, and the opposition to the other by
the same individuals, is, that they are about
to attempt to introduce into our State Poll
tics a system of exclusion, which they did
not think cxpedient to attempt upon larger
theatre. This question then is to be sub
misted to the people of this State at the
next election. Will they pronounce Gov.
I Lincoln unworthy Of their confidence, be-
cause, although no Mason, and believing
the institution useless,-of course free from
prejudice in its favor-he yet feels bound to
respect an honest difference of opinion, and
has therefore refused to pledge himself, in
anticipation, to the discriminate disfran-
chisment of those, who adhere to the nsti-
tuition?
To this question, we trust the answer of
the great majority of the people, including
many who have associated themselves with
the Anti Masonic party under different
view Of its principles, will he to renew their
efforts in support of an intelligent and faith
full Executive. Anti Masons, who support
William Writ foe President, on the broad
principle of asserting the supremacy of the
Laws, assuredly will not oppose Levi Lin
coin for Governor, for refusing to recognize
IN his official action, principle unknown
either to the Constitution or Laws.
CHEnoKEEs. Since the decision of the
Supreme Court of Georgia, that the Indians
haze right to dig gold on their own land,
two Indians have been shot by the Georgia
Guards for SO doing, one of whom they
boast of having killed, and the other was
wounded but not mortally, and is among
his friends. This we believe is the first
blood which has been openly shed in this
shocking business.
The President in the midst of the tor
ments, (oh that they were applied to him
self!) which are inflicted upon the Indians.
has ordered an Office to be opened to enroll
such Cherokees rs may volunteer to quit
their farms and cabins, and 60 into the
wilds Of Arkansas. When the law Of 1929
was passed we stated that it was intended
by the administration, and would prove 10
be a net, to be set and draion By Jackson and
his coadjutors, ,chite The Governor, GiLner,
10Th clubs, stones, and great rabblement q
Georgia trespassers and ruffans, troutd drive
ttemi in. Has it not proved literally so?
Massachusetts, Journal.
EXPENSIVE JOKE. A case was tried last
week in the Common Pleas in Portland,
which had its origin in joke, and in the