Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-11-11

pOluLCu Special committee TO inquire into the
expectancy of drafting an address to the PUBS
lie, and also the probriety Of expslling those
persons, who have been convicted of crime
This timid desire to defend itself before the
public, was hrst manifested Cd June last; on
the following day the Committee on the SUBJ
ject OF explosions reported; and the Grand
lodge adopted and passed this preamble and
resolution.
i Whereas, 1t HATH BEEN ALLEDGED than an
Ioutrage has been committed on the body Of
William Morgan, and whereas proceedings, in
consequence OF such allegations, have been
made in our courts of Justice in relation to the
subject; and whereas by means of foul msre-
presentation, an effort has been made to impress
the public mind with an opinion, that the Grand
Lodge, and the fraternity in general, have at
tempted to screen if not protect the perpctra-
tors OF this. alledged outrage, therefore, Re
iSolUed, that the Grand Secretary be instructed
to ascertain from the public records state
lment of facts in relation to the persons said to
haze been NlaSoRS, charged and convicted of
the abduction of Morgan; and report to this
Grand Lodge at the next annual communities
tion. an tsass. ESQ
| This preamble and resolution from body,
having, in 1926, upwards of 500 constituent
Lodges of Freemasons, in some of which
Lodges the outrage alleged TO have been COM
mitted on the body of William Morgan was
lopenly discussed, before it was committed; and
from body having in itself persons actually
concerned in that outrage; and having on its
loficial records a charitable donation of 800,
to brother Mason, then suspected, and since
convicted, of high part in that outrage. is
,lproof indubitable, to show the blind resolution
LOT the Fraternity, and their infatuated attach
Iment to their mystery Itwould be Incredible
THAT men in their circumstances should knolu
i an outrage has been committed on the BODY
-lof William Morgan, only that they themselves
pronounce the fact a mere ramor a thing not
-tcertain, but aleaged. Their instruction to
their Grand Secretary, also, to procure the
o facts in relation TO the persons, said to have
Ibeen Masons charged and convicted of the alb
lduction of Morgan, is lamentabIe proof of
their ignorance in matters of the greastest mo-
ltoriety, and also proof of the depraving tens
ldency of Freemasonry.
Asa committee of information, we feel ie
Jour duty TO declare, that the light of truth,
(which awakens the nation to new views of the
character and aims of the Order of Masonry,
Istrikes last, or not at all upon adhering Free,
masons. This is not owing to their want OF
understanding, but in great measure to the
proud confidence with which the spirit of the
! mystery inspires their hearts, to believe it is
las good it is old and that it is as old as ere.
lation I-that 1t is as profound. as it is beauti-
Iful, and that it is as beautiful, as king Solomon
could make it; and that it is as charitable. as ie
is holy, and so holy that the hottest of men
have in all ages patronized it. They believe
lit, and without censuring in severe terms their
folly. or ridiculing their absurdity, it is our
e duty to take knowledge of the fact, and to take
l. all our measures accordingly. Although the
adviser sort of the Fraternity give up some of
its most vain-glorious pretensions, it is yet a
melancholy truth, that many among the pure
land learned and patriotic of our fellow-citi-
zens, not only in their hearts reverence, but in
public praise, the goodness, and the SCIENCE
and the charity of Freemasonry.
Without inquiring how far the countenance
iof great names, and the covering of stolen
N, feathers, may have gone honestly to convince
vel thousands of our fellow-citzens of the excel
edllence and purity of the principles of Freema-
sol sonry, thousands are convinced of it, and they
re are the most convinced, who, in the pride of
wi Masonry. shut their eyes and stop their ears
e. to every thing said against the Order, which
toladhering Masons commonly do, with great
he lhardness of heart. They will not read news
toIpaper given them, or pamphlet presented. or
toIa volume opened to their hand if it is against
off Freemasonry; and any thing spoken in con-
in tempt of the mystery, either irritates them out
ed lof reason, or vexes them into silence. 1t ia
utimpossible to get the truth before them, that
he truth which makes all men free. and without
in which any of us might be Freemason.
en-. Not only are the Fraternity ignorant of til.
me great facts IN this controversy, counting To-
as Irumor that which is proved fact in man,
ven courts of justice: but they exceedingly mis-
Informed on many important points, whicl
ige they think they do know. They do not say
,ful it hath been alleged that the Antimasons ar
,ful proscriptive, ntolerant, and selfish party Blu
an they affirm that the whole object of the party
ons is to make political gain out OF moral SUICIDE
n to- and to turn the honest indignation agahst III
ter fanatics who slew Ssorgan INTO cru
and SADIE against all the Masons' ney are COZ
Ma cerned to know what their rate VIII oe' VINE
A., h.,r, Loot fheir mower. some of them rrall