Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-01-26
WHOLE NO. 95.

masonic Standing State Committee, last
spring to the public Oh the subject Of the
then approaching election, the following
paragraph:
"Mr. Lemuel III. Arnold, stood on
ground as independent as did Mr. Fran
els. Their views Of state and national
policy were understood to be similar, and
the independence, fairness, intelligence,
and sound integrity that had marked the
legislative course Of Mr.. Arnold, partlc-
ularly in the honorable and fearless dis
position evinced by him, to try the me-
mortal presented by your conventions,
with the same impartiaity and candor,.
due and secured by the bill Of rights to
the other class of respectful petitioners,
strongly commended him to the commit
tee and to the whole body of anti-masons
in this state"
lie also read passages from these pub
licalions to show the striking similarity to-
the various parts Of the report, and said
they bore one impress, and looked as
though they emanated from the same
master spirit, to keep up an excitement
among the people, for the benefit of in
t"iguing politicians. lie knew there
were among anti-masons, many honest,
well-meaning men, who were conscien-
tiously opposed to masonry, that were
led on by their duty in the course they
pursue. 20 blow up, in the minds OF
these people, their prejudices, to keep
alive the excitement, and propagate u
Al. Il ,l,n oh
yes against masons, appears to be the
leading objects of the gentleman's re-
port. 1t originated i'll fixed determina-
ton to destroy the very object the Cen
eral Assembly contemplated by the ap-
polntmcnt of the CommIttee-whlch was,
to allay party feeling and excitement, q
reconcile friends and neighborhOods.-
This was now attempted to be done un-
der the sanction of this asscmbly-but he
hoped their designs would by this scheme
be destroyed
MIR. Simmons said he did hope that
when the masons come to see the report
of the committee, that they are therein
completely cxonerated from every charge
made against them, and that by the tes-
timony of seeding masons and antl-ma-
sons. taken OH oath by the committee, that
will take into consideration the Propriety
of giving up their societies and surren-
dering their charters. 1t would exhibit
a glorious example of patriotism, that of
sacrificing private feeling upon the altar
of public good.
3. Mr. Amasa Sprague asked whether
the report OF VIM. Sprague, Jun. wa
not entitled to as much respect as the 9th
,r. He was one of the committee amt
course a. that made by Mr.. Hazard.
MIR. Hazard said that the report read
by him, was made by him under the di-
rection of the committee, and he bellev-
ed was correct statement of the evl-
dence taken by them so far as It went
/ There had not been sufficient time for
him to finish the whole report, and to at
tend to his other duties in the house, but
it would be soon completed. He ex-
planned the manner the committee had
/ proceeded in the discharge of their ap-
/ pontment. He confirmed the statement
of MIR. Simmons in every particular; and
added, that as chairman oi'the committee,
he was directed to communicate to the
masons, the course which the committc q
had determined to pursue in the exami-
nation of Witnesses, and so informed the
i whole committee; and Mr.. Sprague then
remarked that he thought they would
4 kick some
Who were these men, he asked, that
made these charges against masons and
masonry in Rhode-lsland? Among them
was Moses Thacher, priest, yes sir, {.
priest, seeding mason, who travelled
Z from Massachusetts,, in the most inclcm-
cnt season of the year, complaining n
! galnst his brethren for taking the same
engagements or oaths, which he took.
! Did he not know at the time what oaths
he took! lie admitted he had read
Morgan's book before he became a ma
son, and verified the obligations therein
to be the same he had taken, and yet
pretended he did not understand them.
| Why did he continue to advance to sev,
en- degrees in masonry, continuing TO
take oath after oath, when he knew the
nature of them and their obligatory force
upon the minds of masons, But he
wished to become political man. He
then got new light, and now pretends he
did not understand them. He become Il
secedcr, a political anti-mason, and sci
himself up, in his own paper, a candidate
for the Senate Of Massachusetts, Ha
delivered lecture before St. Adams
L"Sge, at the request Of his brethren,
which was well enough; and then pub.
'lishcd it with notes attached to it, as an
,nt;unasouic address