The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-07-20
MASONRY AND ANTLMAsoNRY.


Tho National Intelligenccr of the lltn INST,
n reference to a remark of the providence
DaiIy Advertiser, that the sehce OF the INTEL
ieencer (so fair in every thing elsel In rela-
rion to Mr.. Rushs letter, was most humlilat'
ing, says
1.-THE above extract relates to letter re-
Gently written by Mr.. Rush, the late Secretary
If The Treasury, on the subject of the Institu- !
,ion of Masonry /; which we have been silent !
about. not because we are maSons, (such not |
beiao the fact as to both of u.s. but because it
has appeared to US to be Of mischievous tenden-
20 For the first time since our connection in
business the member of our firm who is not a
Mason, undertakes in the following observa-
tons, to speak his own sentiments independ-
entity of those of his colleague, and without
consultation and concert with him.
"Of the Institution of Free Masonry, the
writer of this article has never been an admirer,
and of course never was, nor ever would be,
q member of the fraternity. He has seen, year
after year, for FIVE and twenty years, his dear
est friends and most esteemed associates enter
the Lodge, without being tempted, even by the
force of such example, to follow their course in
that particular as it would have been happy
for him that he had followed them in almost
all other things. He has considered the insti-
tuition unnecessary, if net useless and injuri.
Gus in so far as it has the effect to raise un.
worthy members of il to a levelin society, which
for the well being of society, they ought not to
occupy. These are his opinions, never con-
cealed, and now unreservedly delivered.
Whilst entertaining these opinions, howsv-
er. he would be false to those principles instill
ed into his breast from infancy, and rooted and
fastened there by the experience and observa-
ton of his maturer years, if he were to join in
the persecution of those who honestly enter
tain different impressions. He cannot, there
fore, permit this press to be instrumental IN
fomenting the excitement, which, prevailing ex-
tensively in some parts of the country had Its
origin in the indignation, justly excited BY the
abduction, some years ago, OF person by the
name of Morgan, by persons undoubtedly Intiu-
enced by misguided zeal as Masons. when
the Inqusiton visited Masonry with torture,
death, and forfeiture, he, and all America, re-
garded it as intolerant and vindictive persecu-
lion. He cannot, however willing and even
DESTROYS he may be to see the Institution OF
Masonry voluntarily dissolved, or relinquished,
in this country, agree to the use of coerclye
measures to effect its abolition. Much less can
he, under the influence of new born zeal, assist
in the bitter denunciation, as not entitled 10
equal rights with their fellow citizens, of those
who have when the Institution more pop
ular than it now is, innocently become members
gift.
I'VE have said, that we consider the lnstitu-
tion Of Masonry, in this country, unnecessary,
if not useless. We are not sure that most OF
the intelligent members of If are not Of the
same opinion We believe, indeed, that almost
universally, they consider it under our free in.
situations, unessential and that they have kept
it up, at least as much out of respect for the
good it is supposed to have done, in succoring
the distressed and resisting oppression and
tyranny in the olden time, as out of any impress
sion of its present usefulness. As for the case
of Morgan, the writer has never heard any
Mason make the least attempt to justify, OF
even palliate, that atrocious outrage; and he
well remembers that every exertion was made
by the lamented De Witt Clinton, then Gov
ernor of New York, high and Justly infuen
tial Mason to detect and bring TO condign pun
ishment the authors oft.
"Our respect and esteem for Mr.. Rush are
too well known for the writer to repeat the as
surancs of it. Under the influence of the cir
eumstances by which shat gentleman is now
surrounded in the midst of the anti-masonic ex-
element, he has become not only like the wri
ter of this an auti-mas son, but he has Joined in
the cry against those who not SO. In doing
so, he is exercising the undoubted right Of eve-
ry citizen and in publishing his opinions he
acts manfully and above board. 1t is for the
conductors of the press, each for himself, to
judge what course duty prescribes to them in
relation to this excitement To folio " the cur.
rent were easy. But would it be homes. ?
That is the question to be determined. In the
opinion of the writer, il would not in this case,
entertaining the sentiments which he has al
ready expressed. If masonry or anti masonry
are to rule the destiniss of this country, it shall
not be with his aid