Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-11


which was seen to exercise most dangerous
| influence over the press, and fatal ono in de-
| ranging the administration OF justice. The
rights which freemcn have ever held the mos,
dear, free press, and the impartial admins.
| tratlon OF Justice, they justly believed were no,
safe as long such n secret institution con.
tinued in existence. 1t was soon found how
ever, that sub election of its pretcnsions to the
operations of public opinion by simple discussion
was likely, to be neither safe, nor effectual
Those who saw most of the influence of Free
Masonry upon the social system, believed it to
be so dangerous as to justify n resort to the
| elective franchise to abolish it, and at the samc
| time so powerful, to render it's abolition
| hopeless by means of any lesser efficiency. They
thought themselves also justified in determining
mot to support any adhering Mason for Office
by tho fact that the Masonic oath, conflicted in
ITS terms with the civil oath of office, and as il
had in practice, been held by many otherwise
worthy, even as Of paramount obligation, SO they
could not know but it would be so held by others
until some evidence was furnished that it would
be- disregarded. This is the single principle peeu-
hdr to Anti Masonry, a political party, and il
was adopted for tho single purpose of efecting tho
abolition Of FreeMasonry. 1t will DO apparent
that this distinctive principle is broad enough to
embrace individuals entertaining all varieties of
political opinions as it shuts out except tho
| single class of ddhering Masons. This party first
made its appearance at the elections in Western
New York, in 1897. At that time the great poll.
tCat consisted IN the support OF GCn.
Jackson, aud Mr.. Adams. Anti Masonry as might
have been expected, found its disciples promiscu-
ousy IN the ranks of both these parties, men
become Anti-Masons not from their connection
with one, or the ether party, but from a deep con-
VIetion OF the dangers of Free Masonry. The
next year, CS2S) the Presidential Election camo
on, and Anti. Masonry had in the meantime, in
creased its numbers considerably, making converts
as before, from both of the great parties. 1t was
not made at that time, distinct question as to the
Presidency, bat many Anti Masons who had been
jackson men, were induced by the fact that Gen.
Jackson was Mason, to give their votes for the
Adams Ticket. From this cause / satisfied,
that the vote from the Genessee District, and tho
two votes from the Jefferson District, w ere given
to Mr.. Adams, which, if Anti Masonry had never
existed, would have have been cast for Gen. Jack
son. SO that MIR. Adams then received three votes
from New Y DIRK, which he would not have receiv-
ed, if Anti Masonry had operation. On other
districts IT did not then perhaps have sufficient
iiuence to effect any result. Since that time, An
Tim asonry has continued regularly to increase in
that State until IL now has a strength which esti-
mate at 100 900 votes. This addition the strength
of Anti Masonry, has been made we'll from the
ranks of the Jackson Party, it's opPoses: indeed
Tor the last two years its progress has boon niue
greater in Jackson Counties, than i'm the others.
OF the whole Anti-Masonic strength in that State,
L am certain that 80, O00 and fully believe that
over 1000 of tho voters were originally Jackson
men. In Pennsylvania, the question was not
brought TO the polls until 1S29 but in that State
Anti Masonry has had the operation il.
the State of New York, only to a greater extent
and believe am fully within bounds, when I say
that of the whole Anti Masonic Party in that State
one half at least, were originally Jacksonians.
These individuals in both States, have been divert
cd from the support Of Gen. jackson, by deep
conviction of the dangers which Masonry threat
ems to our free institutions, and by solemn belief,
that this is at this momcn the most pressing poii-
cal evil. Though they thus placed in at
ttude OF hostility to Jackson's AdIninistra-
ton, you will see at once, that they are
not therefore converted into friends of Mr.. Clay;
nay, the very same reason which arrays them in
opposition to Jackson, would them against
| Clay. have selected these two States, to shew
| the nature of the anti-masonic party, in much
as 1T seems to be conceded fact, that their vote
will determine the next Presidential election. If
you should ask, what is the strength of the Ma
tlonal Republican party in those two States, |
should find 1T question rather difficult to
In New York, they have one member Of the Legis-
aturc, and two members of Congress- and proba-
| bly, some 10000 votes. In Pennsylvania, the
strength of the National Republics ms, is still less.
from all these facts you vii! perceive the error in
to which you have fallen, (and it is common ono)
in setting down all the opposition to Jackson, as
National Republican Strengthened that, If the
Anti Masonic candidate were withdrawn, it would
be possible TO unite this strength upon Mr.. Clay.
1t will farther appear, that Anti Masonry has fur
nshed the only hope which exists, or has existed
| of preventing the votes Of those two States from
being given for Jackson. You will at once al
so, that tho Anti-Masonry may be used to keep
those votes from Jackson, it is impossible that it
can be so used as to give them to Clay. The Jack
son party, can, with just as much proprcty appeal
to the Anti Masonic party to support Jackson, as
the National Republicans can, to support Clay
If without any alteration of their own sentiments
upon the subject Of Freemasonry, these two should
be the only candidates, the Anti-Masonic party
would, of necessity DO resolved into its consttu-
ent principles, there would then, be common
tie, and Jackson would receive the votes of those
two States. Yo 0he National Rcpublicans,) accuse
US of want of patriotism in not Withdrawing our
candidates; if your appeal should be successful,
the consequence would be, that one half, one
third of our party would vote for Jackson and the
remainder would not be sufficient for your purpose.
The whole course Of my remarks thus far, has
been based upon tho suppostion of the possibility
of the withdrawal of the Anti Masonic Presden
tial Candidate, and have been III ade, to shew that
such event, could result in no possible benefit to
Mr.. Clay There is another and more important
81 circumstance to be taken into consider ration. Ii
is scarcely within the compass of possibility,
tainly not of probability, that the Anti-Masonic
; party should he without their Presidential
candidates. The same reasons which will prevent
tho Jackson Anti Masons from voting for Jackson
will prevent the Clay Anti Masons from voting 70
Clay. You will have perceived, that ADti-Mason'
are organized politically, to effect single dstinc
and important purpose--thc abolition of Free Ma
sonry. The means which they have put in requi
2 sltIon TO effect 1t tho elective franchse anC
the ballot box. They keep this object steadily il
view-they pursue it with unhagging zeal--witi
{ untIring sprit-with steady energy, and determin
ed perseverance. They are firm in the belief tina
FREE Masonry is gricvous political evil: enthusi
astlc III tber efforts TO abate it, and sanguine q
ultimate success. They have existed five years a
political party, and their numbers have been con
stantly increasing. They havo been frequently beat
EN-, but they are disheartened by o disappointment
g. discouraged by defeat. The mere success o
4 al ,rfa,fp 4