Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-11-14
Tbe Constitutional syahfa,

'ho Anti Masonic Convention which nominated
mr.. Writ, and have regretted that its length sboud
exclude 1t altogether. We have therefore. Mt the
request of several gentlemen, friends of Mr.. Writ
made extracts FROM and an abstract of its coptept
that our readers may Judge from its language how,
far the Anti Masonic fever partakes of fanotic;sr
and to what extent the party is disposed TO carry il
prescription. We were promised this abstroc,
from an ADLER hand, but as it has not vet Leep
Isrn"hed, we fear that unless wo now publish
H. we shall not have another opportunity.
ADDRESS OF THE ANTI MASONIC Convention.
10 the People Of the United States.
Fellow CIrIzENss
a large and growing political party through us.
respectfully addresses YOU Numerous bodies ~
enlightened and honest freemen, in states contain
wig more than half the electors of our union have
openly ana fairly delegated us to represent them,
IN the performances of duties which can not fail To
ahect your essential rights. And believing that
your rights are inseparably blended with theirs
We seek. most earnestly, SO to perfom these
tuues, as TO produce effects equally and ex-
.ensiveiy beneficial upon the rights of all
ihese duties consist in nominating citizens to he
supported, as candidates for the Offices of President
ana vice PRESIDENT, of the United States at the
next election, and in setting forth the grounds
on which you are invited to sustain the nominn-
zion.
Inc concurrence of millions of men, in any act
OF elaboration or decision, objects, in which they
have a common Interest, presents to the mind a
magnihcent and exciting spectacle. If the men be
intelligent, patriotic and free and the object be
.hat OIL appointing the most suitable of their num-
oer 10 guard the rights, and advance the prosperi
~, OF the nation which they constitute, human
life can rarely exhibit spectacle of equal interest
and sublimity. Scarcely any approach towards
such an exhibition has ever been witnessed in apv
country, but ours. Let it be our ambition so to
commune TO improve the exhibition in all its stated
recurrences as shall more commend 1t to the an
of ha q
communities, TO which we belong, and most effec
tuaiiy tend to the Establishment and support of free
principles In every community of our fellow men.
Ihe addressers then launch out into the wide
e1Panse OF the nature of government generally its
duties, &C. and finally refer the nature of repub
iican government and the qualifications which the
Chief Magistrate of our Republic ought to possess
In the language of the address she should be in
dustrous intelligent, honest, independent; follow
ing his own convictions of right and shrinking
from any OF his appropriate responsibilities
vlgliant wise IN judgment; prudent disinterested
and PATRIOTIC From these qualities they proceed to
what should be the principles of his administrations
and declare that these principles endangered by
free masonry. A brief history is then given of the
Cincinnati Society and the conduct of Washing
ton IN It's suppression. comparison is drawn be-
tween that society and free masonry, showing how
much more dangerous the latter is in its tendency
and we are thus brought through what would fill
four of our columns, to the specifce charges a.
gainst free masonry.
But we not left to our own reasonable infer
ences, or to hints, and few honest but guarded
expressions, from its best members, decide upon
the character of Freemasonry. That character has
been revealed, under oath, by its adherng members,
and by great band of seceders. And how does it
stand? Infamous beyond all parallel in human an
nails. Its principles vicious, murderous, trea-
sonable; and far they prevail fatally hostile to
those of our Government.
In the first degree, the candidate pledges himself,
under oah and upon the forfeiture of his lfe if he
does not redeem the pledge, to ever conceal and
never 10 reveal the secrets of freemasonry, which
he has then received, is about to receive or NAV
thereafter be instructed in. Among the secrets
which the candidate may, and must he instructed
in, if he takes the second degree, is that of his
pledge, of passive obedience to the laws of the
lodge, and all regular summonses sent him
by a brother of that degree. Ifhc takes the third
degree, among those secrets pledges to fly to
the relief of brother of that degree, when ma
sonicay required to do, at the risk of life
should there be greater probability of saving the
life OF the brother requiring, than of losing his
own-to appriZe brother of all approaching
danger IT posslble-aHd to conceal the secrets of
brother master mason, when communicated to him.
as such, murder and treason only accepted, and
they left at his discretion. And ifhe takes the Roy
al Arch degree, among those secrets pledges
to extricate brother of that degree from danger
ifhe can, whether that brother be right or wrong
to promotes his political preferinent before that of
all others of equal qualifications-and to conceal
his secrets, murder and treason not excepted.
Thus is the concealment of crimes made mason
ic duty; and the candidates expressly dscaim all
equivocation, mental reservation, or evasion of
mind, both in the first degree, and in the last.
How do these parts of masonry affect the moral
character ofits members? In the first degree, and
every other no man knows any of its obligations,
till after he has sworn to conceal them. 1t is a
first principle in morals, that there is no accoun
liability without knowledge and free will. Such
objects, solcmnities, make them so. But
what is the purpose of the order, in the ceremony
otimPosing them? Can it be good? 1t is certain
ly such as can be accomplished only by men divest-
cd of all sense of accountability. The less Of this
sense the better, for all the purpose of in
tegrity and virtue These truths which nobody
can gainsay. All the history of pioty, on the one
hand, and of sin on the other, asserts them. They
-ure obvious to the common sense of all men. This
proceeding of free masonry, is therefore, obvious
ly in hostility to good morals. 1t is more than that
To take such an oath deliberately and with an
intent to perform it, is attempt at the voluntary
extaa@uss bment of the highest rights of the soul,
End a complete foreclosure Of the source of every
duty. II is not possible to imagine a more aggra-
gated crime. Rape, murdcr, treason, may be
panied of, and their perpetrators proclaimed. But
to fOrego the rights of knowledge and~volitiou in
regard to every proposition, which can be offer
of the image Of God from the breast. II would
necessarily preclude repentance, reformation,
pardon, hope; and be death, in its unutterabe hor-
rors. 1t would be much worse than common
suicide, as ths-gaue of tho immortal spirit is great
than that of4Io corruptible body.