Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-10-07

mockeries of the rites and tenets OF the Sristan
Religion. e
In the details of the trials in the case oil
Morgan it became manifest that these oaths u 70
not considered by those who impose ana 'aSe
them as mere idle and unmeanlng words out
that they are viewed as solemn oDi'gat,ons
which are to be practically enforced, and which
in the case of Morgan there is too much reason
to believe were tragicdHy enforced. Accord
ing TO the reports of tine details OF that trial as
given at some of your former meetings, and
given at greater length at your meetings IN s
TINS city, Cat one of which, in common with
other citizens / was presently these aoalhs are
understood literally and literally enforced; and
according to the exhibition Of the evidence
made in these reports, the conspiracy against
Morgan was not, as has been commonly sup |,
posed. tine act Of "a fe~ Ignorant men, alone;l
bnt zudS e.gendered an the lodges MemSelveS'
entoyced under their direction and supported al
Their eapence the conspiracy embracing, within
its sweep, men of all degrees, men OF the learn
ed professions, farmers and mechanics; with
too much reason to believe that the secret
energy of the masonic spirit had entered and
polluted even the temples of Justice; and with
the most demonstratiVe proof the persons who
had entered into these unhallowed oaths, con-
Isidered their allegiance to the lodges as OF
higher obligation than their allegiance 70 the
laws of their country. If this be masonry, as
acco rding to this uncontradicted evidence II
seems to be, l have no hesitation i'll saying,
!, that consider it at war with the fundamental
; lprinciples of the social compact, as treason
= against society and a wicked conspiracy
, against the laws of God and man, which ought
to be put down.
j But gentlemen, this was not, and could not
!. be Masonry as understood by Washington.
. he parricide. Nor can | believe that in the
z quarter of the Union with which | am best
I acquainted, intelligent men of high and homo
rable character; ii they have been drawn in to
i take these shocking and impious oaths, can
. consider them as paramount to their duties to
!. their God and their country. 1t is true that
! after the practical exhibition of Masonry which
i we have had in New York, no man of common
! prudence can sleep over these discoveries, and
!, will take care in every of doubt to inquire.
II But both justice and prudence demand dis
J. termination: for the powers of President
Il ought not, in my opinion, to be prostituted to
!, the purpose OF a blind and unjust prescription,
II involving innocence and honor with guilt and
d treason, and no man is worthy of nomination
d to this high Office, in whose Judgment and
v patriotism, confidence cannot ~be placed to
e make tine proper distinction between them. In
,. the view OF all honorable men he would de-
. lservedly become object of disgust, if he
' could stoop to commit himself by any pledges,
{ in like this, as the price of his nominal
. ton.
: Ii with these views of my opinions, it is the
i pleasu of your convention to change the
a nomination, can assure you very sincerely
: that shall retire from with far more pleasure
r than | should accept it. If, on the contrary
,rit be their choice to abide BY it, have only tc
v add that in government like ours, consider
10 no citizen at liberty to reject nomination by
ct SO respectable body. upon personal considera
IS. tons.
ut Be the final determination of your Conven
I'd ton what it may, shall ever retain grateful
IL sense of the honor conferred on me by thi
d. nomination, and beg the Anti Masonic Con
nv vention to accept the assurance of my respec
nd for them and for their cause. l do not ad
is dress them as party, because understan,
Id the principle of their union to be, 10 assert IN
SO supremacy Of the LazvS; which / trust is an,
ever will be the sacred and immutabIe princi
n pie OF our common country.
10 WIN. WRIT.
BIS Messrs. RUTHERFORD, SLOAN and ELDER
= Committee Of the National Anti- Masonic Con
Is Oehtion. Baltimore, Sept. %, 1881.
on The Communication having been read. III
tie following Resolution was adopted:
On In the National Anti- Masonic Convention, !
io BALTIMORE, 2sth, September, 1881.
t. IT, ResolUed HaanimoHsiy: That the answer q
~. the Hon. WILLIAM Writ, to the resolutio
= OF this convention, nominating him as a cand
H. date for the Presidency, be entered on tn
~ minutes OF this Convention, as part of its prc
:" ceedngs. and that this Convention recommen
81 to their fellow citizens throughout the Unite
- - States, cordial and vigorous support of Mr.
- WRIT, at the next election, as the Anti-masoni
lhn Candidate, for the Office of President of til
nc United States.
ed Resolutions of similar purport were unani
r,,c,I L Il.