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

in any case, beyond that of expulsion from
the Lodge. Nor do we believe any Mason.
ic obligation or principle to be so understood
by hlasons, as 10 warrant any act not fully
justified by the Constitution and laws of the
land We as cordially detest the crime of
lawless murder, as any other body of men
Such was the act of epriving William Nor
gan OF life, If perpetrated either by Masons
or others. Who were his murderers, or by
whom the act was sanctioned, is absolutely
unknown to us. But this we can say with
certainty; we hold no fellowship with any
man, or body of men, TO our knowledge and
belief, who would either perpetrate il them
selves or sanction it in others.
That we prefer Mason in ALL CASES
IS not true. That we "prefer in ann case"
unless he be worthy, as a man, is not true.
That we give him any preference whatev-
Ell, except in acts, in which, ''the Constitu-
tIon and the laws" have no concern, is not
true. 1t is no; true that we receive, impart.
or sanction any obligation, that we under
stand 10 require the performance of an act
towards Mason, that we know or suppose
will result in injury or injustice, To another,
not Mason : nor in any way to impede or
or arrest the course OF Justice, public or pri-
vate, legal or moral, IN any case whatever.
And further, TO shew that i'll all this, we have
acted in perfect accordance with the shirt
and principles of Masonry, we would State
what all Masons and Seeding Masops
know TO be true, that it is a standing and in
variable rule in every Lodge, and from
which, no departure is ever tolerated. to in
form the candidate that 'no Mason obligation
must interfere with his religious or politi-
cal opinions, nor his duty TO God and his
country With the declarations above,
and knowledge of these facts, it is difficult
for us to discern, how Masonic obligations
can lead men TO violate 'thc Constitution and
laws of the land or encroach on the pro
vince OF religion and morality"
W neither Mr.. Writ ever saw this adj
dress, or any of similar import made by
other Lodges, we cannot say. But it is
reasonable to presume, that if he had
had no ambition to CRAFTY, he could not
have been so hastily induced to accoutre
himself for "tragedy," when, perhaps,
before the first scene was through the
whole affair might be made to assume
in his view, its original character of a
farce" By the way, however, it has
been rather a serious farce to the ma.
sons of the North.
As respects the evidence said TO be
adduced on the trials in New York, we
have no knowledge-but we are con-
strained to believe, that party spirit and
perjury had more to do with it than
truth and justice--whether the wit
nesses were made to assume the char
acter of adhering or seeding masops
This Is certain to our minds unless thew
have different kind of masonry in New
Y ork from that known in other parts of
the country which, however, we do not
consider probable. And as to the muir
der OF Morgan, the whole matter is
as much mystery to us as it is to the
Grand Lodge of Rhode-IsIand and if
he was murdered by masons and for the
cause alleged, we feel free to say that it
was as much murder according to the
principles of the Masonry with which
we are acquainted, and as criminal, as it
could be in the view of the civil law
We had hoped that this excitement
would have died long since. But it is
found to suit the purposes of the ambiti-
Gus and corrnpt-and just so long as it
answers their ends may we expect
it to be continued
Thus we see the conduct which was
openly reprobated in the tyrannical Fer
dinand ofSpain few years ago, openly
and unblushingly initiated by Republican
citizens in America 1t is true that tor
ture and the rack have not yet been in
troduced-but that they are not, we are
sure is more owing to the fears and
weakness than the good feelings or prin-
cipies Of many ofthe anti-masons.
People Of Virginia, will you let this
monster of intolerance and persecution
have ioothold ON your soil (? Rest assur
ed II you do, you will have calls enough
OF the. kind upon you. Crusading will
become the order of the day--every
thing will be carried by excitement-un-
tilall that is valuable in our government
Will be destroyed, and our liberty it.
sell become a curse.
The Stockholders in the Harrison
burg and Warm Springs Turnpike Com
pany will meet at the Augusta Springs
ON Monday next.
The Assistant Engineers in the EN-.
pioyment OF the State, we understand
have commenced the survey of the
routes proposed for the Valley Railroad.
" we have received the proceedings oil
Tie RAILROAD Convention, at iIarri. onbl,rp
through the Register, & shall publish them
IN our next paper. Augusta and Rocking
ham only were representcd ond or -,