The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-01-11
FREEMASONRY.

tne boston papers, signed by above a thou
sand members of the Masonic Fraternity
residing in Boston, Charlestown, Newhury,
port, Haverhlll, Cambridge, Roxbury, Dor
chester, New Bedford, Taunton, and sew
eral other towns. So far as relates 10 all
the declaration except the concluding para.
graph, we see no objection TO it.
If the signers thought it necessary, in or
der to correct any groundless preiudices
against the masonic institution or its men,
bers, to put forth solemn declaration un-
der the sanction of their names, DENYING
the truth of he allegations made against
them, it was very jnstifable and proper
act, and had they done this, and no more,
1t could have been productive of no evil and
might have done some good. But we fear
that any good which might otherwise have
been effected, will be more than counter
balanced by the intention set forth in the
last paragraph, to sustain the institution.
While we believe that large majority Of
the community are disposed to do Justice to
the character and motives of the great body
of the members Of the fraternity, and to set
their faces against the prescription OF them
which has been attempted, we as firmly be-
lieve that public sentiment is decidedly op-
posed to continuance of the institution,
and that the most liberal and best informed
masons, themselves desire that it NAV be
abandoned. There is an inherent difficulty
which masons have to encounter. in at
tempting to overcome the prejudices which
will continually rise against them. They
cannot reveal the obligations they have
taken, and until they do it, people will be-
leve that the oaths which the seceders have
published are those which are actually
administered. 1t may be said that the OBJ
legations are so explained, or that they are
accompanied with such charge, as to do
away any objection to them; yet, as masons
are no more at liberty to reveal the precise
import of the charge or explanation than
they are to reveal the obligation itself, the
uninitiated (many Of them) will take the
eaths as they find them laid down, and put
theii own construction upon them. These
difficulties appear 10 us insurmountable, and
the consequence, we believe, must inevita-
bly, be that so long as masons continue to
support the institution, they will he subjected
to the effects of the same prejudices and
the same misrepresentation ofthe7 motives,
which they have had to encounter for few
years past
1t, therefore. becomes a question, and
serious one too, for the members of the fra
ternity to consider, whether there is, in re-
atty, at the present day, any good to be at.
tanned by remaining embedded, which may
not as well be secured-in some other way.
and which is sufficiently importan; to coun-
terbalance the evils which they must neces-
sarily encounter. Itappears to US that now
is time when they may disband, honorably
to themselves, and, by so doing, secure to
themselves the gratitude of the community.
Political Anti-Masonry has had its day, and
is on the wane, without effecting It's object.
Let the Masons now give up their charters
and dissolve the lodges, and they will shew
that they are willing to concede that to
public opinion, peaceably and candidly ex-
pressed, which they would not surrender to
force, or on threats of political prescription.
Il is, however, after all, question to Ma
sons, themselves, and for them alone to de-
termine. They best know the value of the
institution. and they can best appreciate the
sacrifices by which it must be sustained, if
sustained at all and, whatever ybe their
decision, we believe the great body of them,
will be actuated by honorable motives in
forming it, and believing thus, we cannot
countenance those who would prescribe
them for exercising one of the most valua-
BILE rights secured to us by our inestimable
institutions.
To show that views, similar to those we
have now expressed, prevail extensively, we
make the following extract on the subject
OF the declaration which led to these re-
marks, from the New York Commercial Ad-
vertiser, paper edited and published by
Masens of high standing.
The Editor after agreeing to the truth of
the declaration, in relation to the obligation
of masons, adds:
But when they 60 farther, and with utter
disregard OF the existing prejudices of the
community, certify that in their opinion.
"The Masonic Institution may continue to
be productive of great good to their fellow
men," they not only show that their opin-
ions are not worth much, but that their own
sagacity is not keen enough to enable them
to look very deep into milstones.
In regard to the continuance Of the order
we may add, that during very recent visit
to Baltimore and Washington, we have had
ample opportunities of comforting with many
distinguished Masons from nearly every
State in the Union, and that all, with one
accord, have united in the opinion, that it is
the course Of expediency, of wisdom, and of
patriotism, thatthe Institution should DO en-
tirely and for ever dissolved. And it has
been agreed TO call convention of Masons
holding this opinion, to assemble in New
York curly in the ensuing season, to DELHI
crate upon the best means that can lie
adopted, with view producing so desir-
able result.
REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS. We are in.
debted to friend at Washington for the fol.
lowing abstract of the most interesting part.
ola bill, reported 2Sth ult., by the Committee Of
the House Of REPRESENTATIVES. on Revolutionary