Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-10-14
SPECTATOR.
received

SPECTATOR.
Observation-Disclosures. II.
present IN this paper, MIR. W1RT's
letter to the Anti-Masonic Convention
accepting his nomination as a candidate
for the Presidency, by that body. The
first feelings which we experienced on
learning his acceptance, were those of
surprize and regret We had entertain
ed high opinion OF his character we
believed him to be man of the most Ii
beral and elevated mind and knowing
as we do, something of the fiendish spirit
of anti-masonry in the North, and the
extreme injustice of its assumed cause,
he was one Of the last men whom we
could have thought capable of being
tempted by the lurings of ambition to
give countenance and consequence to
that miserable faction. But we are sor-
ry 20 say that his letter gives us a differ
ent view of the man. The oftener we
read it, the more we are impressed with
the belief that he is political tactician
of no ordinary stamp. The facility
and art he displays in accommodating
himself to his new prospects, consider
ing the suddenness of the emergency.
certainly falls little if any, short of what
could have been expected from Van Bus
rem himself. While he labours to pre-
serve his nomination, he is careful not to
commit himselftoo far TO the genuine, and
more revolving principles of anti-mason-
~. So far, indeed, from adopting the true
livery of the party, "the indiscriminate
prescription and persecution of all ma
SONS who will not renounce as evil and
dangerous that which they know to be
otherwise, he invests the ants with
new and highly imposing device,
which he doubtless esteemed better
suited for Southern service, and his own
views of the chances of success-"the
assertion of the supremacy of the laws,
| and the security of personal rights
What glorious standard is this Who
can now refuse 20 be an anti-mason As
surediy not even mason who is true to
his masonic principles, can say aught a.
gainst the sentiment itself, however he
may feel for his own personal rights"
under its proposed application More
over he says Masonry is tremendous
political engine. and that no man ofcom-
mon prudence can sleep over the deve-
Opponents respecting it Mr.. Writ
has certainly done the anti-masons no
small service-He has placed their cause
on higher ground than it ever occupied
before. Wherever there is honest pre-
JUDGE against the order-or wherever
there is corruption or ambition ready TO
seize upon preteXts to kindIe up flame
and secure advantage of whatever kind
local or general, here is an imposing ban
ner to unfurl. Truly the last is greater
than the first, in this most worthy crussde.
But, Mr.. Writ says it is impossible
that this masonry which he has lent him
self to aid in putting down, was "Ma-
sorry as understood by Washington. -
The suspicion, Che adds would be par
ricldes" He could have learned moreo-
yer, all around him, as he thought he
had learned when he considered the an
ti-masonic excitement filter subject
for farce than tragedy" thatthe Mason
ry described in the trials of which he
speaks, was not the Masonry of the
country.
As a rebutter TO the "uncontra-
dicted evidence" he assumes of "moral
| treason" &c. in masonic principles, we
annex an extract from the address of the
Grand Lodge of Rhode-Island TO the
people of the State, which, so far as we
are acquainted with Masonry, we know
to be correct:
owe hold our Charters under the govern
ment-we know that Government bass RIGHT
to full and complete investigation Of our con
cerns-to Government we owe and render
subordinalion--And further, we know that
when our doings shall be found not to be in
strict conformity TO the Constitution and
laws OF the land, our Charters will be and MS
honest men and good citizens, say otLght 70
be, forfeit and void. And fully aware orall
this, we solemnly pledge ourselves To extend
to the Legislature, every aid and facility in
our power, to carry On such an investigation;
whenever that body shall call upon us 10 do
so and cheerfully abide the issue"
"Ihat we have secrets, (say they, we
I frankly Acknowledging that we have anv
which 'Cannot be disclosed, but at the hazard
of life we deny: we have no doubt, the Me
inorialsts in this part of their petition had
( their eye on the supposed murder of William
/ Morgan by Masons Ofthat supposed act
| we can only say, we can neither affirm nor
I deny; because we know nothing about it. ..
/ we solemnly aver in The sight Of Heaven.
! and aDDpal IN fbo Ercof Co,rDLcr al c,~t~ l.,