Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-11-04

In all their civil relations they violated their
oaths and the most sacred duties. They few
to each others assistance knowing their crimi-
nallty. They gave each other notice of the
approaching danger illegal prosecution. They
spirited away witnesses who they feared would
disclose too much. Inexperienced themselves
IN court. They contumaciously refused to an
swer questions decided to be legal. They de-
clned to answer on the ground, that if they
should, they would criminate themselves in re-
lation to the murder. They prevented the iu-
dicial ascertainment and punishment of the
foulest criminals. They made common cause
IN behalf of these criminals, against the rights
| OF the citizen, and the laws of the land
thousands of them were acquainted with some
OF the steps OF these crimes against the state.
Hundreds of them know the leading malefac-
tors. 4
A good citizen cannot look on with indiffer-
ence and see fellow freeman kidnapped and
murdered. He cannot know that such crimes
are successfully protected, by an extensive. art
full, and powerful conspiracy, without being ex-
cited against it. The sympathies of patriot
embrace his whole country. The poorest man.,
the most defenceless woman, the weakest child
in it, cannot be assailed with unlawful vio-
lence, without quickening his pulse, and stiffen-
ing his sinews, with indignation. His blood is
|up in every case of high crime; and it keeps
Iup against the aggressor, till the law performs
its Office upon him. To the law he is willing
to submit, because he knows it is the deliber-
ate expression of the public for the public good;
the great shield spread by the hands of all,
over the rights of all.
Individual rights are, separately considered,
OF unreasonable and indehnable worth. They
lpartake of the infnitude of moral existence
and responsibility. As contemplated by our
government, single individual, and one as
much as another, is an august being, entitled
to inviolable reverence, and bearing upon him
the badges of most majestic origin, and the
stamp of most transcendent destinations. His
safety, his liberty, his life, his Improvement,
his happiness, it designs, at all times and pla
ces, faithfully to protect, by the application OF
all its delegated means. The law is the bene-
fetal instrument of this protection, and should
be appreciated by every refectingman as the sa-
cred, living, and most venerable expression OF
the national mind and will. Break this and
the nation has but one right left, which it can
peaceaby enforce, the right of suffrage.
The masonic institution is answerable for
the crimes to which we have referred. They
were committed in obedience to it's prescribed
and specific oaths, and in fear Of its penalties.
The man-stealing and murder, were for no
other than masonic offence. The whole ar
ray of its frightful crimes, out of court, and
| in court, were no other than necessary means
of carrying into effect the obligations it has de-
liberately and universally exacted of its MEM
bers. All who uphold the obligations uphold
the crimes. No adhering masons has afforded
the least willing assistance to the exposure and
punishment of them. No lodge or chapter
has called the criminals to account. Many Of
them are known to the public. Cheesboro,
and Sawyer, and Lawson, and Bruce, and
! Whitney, have been convicted of the conspir-
lacy to kidnap, and have been condemned and
Suffered Infamous punishments; and the very
lmurderers are known with moral, though MOI
Ilwith strict judicial certainty. Not one of these
linen has been expelled. The grand lodge, oil
lgrand chapter, of which they were members
has the power of expulsion, but has declined
to exercise it in relation to them; and such o
5 them as are still living, are, in masonic estima
e ton, worthy members of the order.
Al But the fraternity have gone mulch further
: TO make that crime their own. In 1897 tn
: grand lodge gave S1oo to one of its member
e then under public accusation for kidnappin
81 Morgan, and afterwards convicted OF that o
F. fence; and the grand chapter, by its vote, Pla
e ced 500 at the control of another OF its men
e bers, ostensibly for charitable uses, of whic
d "a part has been proved, in court OF justice
IS to have been applied for the benefit OF othe
te lkidnappers and the trustees of the charity hi
lie never been called to an account by the gran
C. chapter, for any part of the sum. though in a
n other cases such accountability is enforced b
id the chapter. The records of this last bod,
Or apparently relating to this transaction, hay
ID been produced in court, and were seen to
IN mutilated.
is The fraternity have also employed and pal
e. able counsel TO defend the criminals.
e. In this way, while the chief magistrate
.irl 1.-THE state of New York was, by proclamation
1g offering money for the conviction of the Offer
u.l ders, the highest masonic bodies, in that stat
ne were offering, and in their associate capaci
he actually paying, money to protect and supPo
toIthem. Can it be justly thought surpTisin