Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-09-09
CHARLES MINER.
ANTI-MASONRY.

NSNSiehSS
submit the question to those who love their country
whether it is wise and patriotic to withdraw them
selves, &c" Il To join Anti masonry To these
observations VIC would answer, that before legis
late to promote any particular principles we would
defend and secure that Constitution which our only
pledge for the privilege of legislation How stud-
ously the Junior Editor has srived to divert the
attention Of his readers from this important consdera
ton by introducing subjects Of COMPARATIVELY trivial
nature, and by the most unwarr ned dgressons from
the subject of his comment But we can assure him,
that Ant-masonry successfully Identified neither with
Modification nor the American Systcm with Andrew
jackson Henry Clay, nor the United States Bank.
The objects we would accomplish, are incomparably
paramount Would it not be ridiculous to hear the
inhabitants of nation, in state of anarchy, contend
ing about subjects of national policy, economy; when
at the time they would have no guarantee, for
either life liberty or property Yet, it fact that
g Charles Miner" instead Of assisting those who are
striving support the supremacy of our laws, is find
ing fault with them because they do not ALL agree in
sentiment, concerning subjects of political economy.
But must be cautious the &c Junior Editor says,
he is FIFTY years of age! Has received FIVE or six
votes of thanks, &c. &c. Shall this anfaronade shield
him from the just censure of many thousands Of his
iClow-citzens who have been seriously injured by the
principles and institution which he is aealously adj
'ocating? We say en.fhaticaAy, NO. But we must
proceed
'Undcr the name Of religion, and by those who,
there is to think, supposed with Paul when he
prosecuted the Christians, that they doing God
service the most horIid and revolving crueles have
been committed" Its very obvious, from the prece-
ding quotation, that the writer designed to associate the
ideas of religious and masonic martyrdoms, by repre-
scnng them equally culpable. He has said lin eff
fect) that the bloody code Of Masonic laws and the
mild precepts of Christianity alike imCulcatc the
cessy or, las the case may be) condemn the act of
numbering Or, in other words, Christians
sponsbe for all the crueltes and cXcesscs, committed
in the name of Christianity Masons are, for those
committed in the of Masonry. The comparison,
we consider, truly nyidous. Paul acknowledged af-
ter his conversion, that his persecution of the Chris
tans, prompted by misconceived duty to God.
Christians believe that the Bible contains revelation
Of the will OF God. Consequently, Paul has acknow-
lodged that the principles Of the Christian religion do
not Justify crueltes and massacres. The
ing will extend to all those 'butcheries, and burnngs
of gray-headed men, mothers, virgins and infants, "
which perpcraed by protesting Christians, and
which sickcing and appalling to the Se7Si-
the feelings Of the So Junior Editor" who neverthe-
less, discuss the ''MorGan case" with all the sang
fyoii, of modern Stock. We could wish, it were
as easy task for excHlpate Masonry, from ncul
eating the necessity Of taking life in certain cases,
the Christian religion.
ciety.-Your meetings are secret. Let us bring this
charge to the touchstone." Yes and a laughabC
touclstone has he chosen. Because " innocent thing
done in secret, secrecy is no crime" And be
cause Stern has said that man hides himself in secret
when he plants child because these things so
tho midnight orgies Of Craftsman" altogethe
innocent. Oh, l0gick to what pcre. ton thou ri
sen! How thy luxuriant draughts elevate the huma
mind, and adorn the brow Of age!
'Don9t many religious societies hold meetings, q
which none hut the initiated are present." Yes, bu
the tenets Of every religious denomination are mad
public; into which persons may be initiated with
ont cablc-tow, hood or oath. However, in th
comparison, we conceive that the name of religion
. used r1cvcrenty. Why Mr. Miner should persist
making comparisons, so foreign, is, probably be-
known to himself. What connection or similarity
there between the secrecy Of 'sCabinet councils,
Rank Directors, and the secrecy Of Masonry? Nor
Mt all. But let examine the ogck of the ollowir
question ''Gan that fairly be regarded as score
as least dangerous one, which is confessedly know
10 SO many thousands in different states ard natio
scattered over the earth," What is a secret? Som
thing unknown unknown to whom? To any perso
It necessarily follows, that species Of knowledg
which is confined even to three-fourhs Of mankind,
secret to the remaining one-fourth. In Masonic S
crccy, consider that numbers increase the dang;
inasrnuch all, 20 whom the secret is communicate
arc bound By cruel oaths, and horid penalties, to
tain the pledge n"lol2t2.
'sWhat responsible Legislature cannot do, an in
srOnsble combination attempts to do" VIII t
t1unor Editor please to inform us in what form
governments either individual, a combination,
irresponsible for crimes committed, except the Grim
fsrc shielded with secrecy? This information [if g
cal will require further consultation Of SIR EDwA
CdEE; and will be more amusing than his learned
QUESTION Of the er1hOat tacto lars.
"No political party has ever avowed, or acted L
on principles so exclusive" This language Tin
abstract1 might with equal Fropriety, be adopted
the debauchce because the interests of society
manIs the exclusion of such persons, from all pla
of public trust. Our motto is &c Equality of Rgh
eni no Ngascnic domination. We wish, virtue
IN 7ral rccttudc, to form the ratcrnal bonds of I'm
between man and man; instead Of oaths that ought
make a nearhCn DNsN.
A fundamental maxim is recognized in the old +
l,sh charter of rights; the import of which is
10 man should be punished but by the laws of
land, and the Judgment of his peers" "The cont
ny doctrine is asserted [says Charles Minerl as I
Il action by the Anti-masonic party and necessa
follows; is a doctrine of unmiXed desPotsm oppo
10 right reason-opposed to magma charta-oppo
to the constitution Of the United States, and OF Pc
sylvania, and hostile to the rights of man." Here
batteries of both England and America, mounted "
''S1R EDWARD COKE, and the JUNIOR EDITo
[rowerful artillery are brought to bear upon
Ant-masonic party. But let us examine this for
tlable array of sweeping charges. First, The Cha
Of English Rights recognizes the justice and propr