Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-05

tensions to any skill in It himself
Morning Herald
The foil owing document, which sufficIentyex-
plains itself. we find Published in all the Boston
papers with upwards of one thousand signatures
amended to it. We give place to it on grounds
entirely apart from all political considerations.
with which, in our judgment this matter has and
ouE chit to have no connection whatever lhis pa
per is signed it is said by gentlemen OF all parties
81. I'd persuasious. Without further preface then
~. ive place to this address.
TO THE PUBLIC.
Wtnc the public mind remained in the high
stl,r If excitement. to which II had been carried
bY to pi'Iiel AMI inf1ammatory representations
of certain ,iirnces. committed by al lew mIsguM
ed members of the Masonic Institution, in Sis
ter State il seemed Ia the undersigned Presidents
If Boston and yciniyj to be q pcdient to refrain
from pubic declaration of their principles Or
engagements. a. masnns. But. believing the time
now 10 be full, core. when their teilow-citIzeus
will receive, with can,lor. il not with satisfaction
sp!emn and uneQuisoca denial of the al!ega.
tiuns which, during the fast five years. IN col-
sentence Of their connection with the Masonic
Fraternity. have been reiterated against them
they respectfully ask permission to invite atten-
ton to the subjci!ned
| DECLARATION.
! Whereas. it has been frequently asserted and
published to the world, that III the several degrees
of Freeuasonry, a, they are conferred in the Unit
ed States, the candidate. on his initiation and sub
seuurnt adj, ancemsnt, binds himself, by oath, To
sustain his Masonic brethren IN acts. which are
at variance with the fundamental principles OF
morality. and incompatible with his duty as
good and faithful citizen; in justice therefore to
themselves, and with view to establish TRUTH
and expose IMPOSITION, the undersigned. many
i of us the recipients of every degree of Freeml'
sonry, knOwn and acknOwledg ed in this country.
do most solemnlv deny the existence Of any such
obligations in the Masonic Institution, so far as
our knowledge respectively extends. And We
as sol.mny aver that, no person is admitted to
the Institution, without first being made acquant.
ed with the nature Of the obligations, which he
will be required to incur and assume.
FREEMAsoNRY secures its members IN the Tree.
dom of taought aud Of speech, and permits each
tSNd Every one to act according TO the dictates OF
ShispH n conscience in matters OF religion, and VI
his personal preferences in matters OF politics.
1t neither knows, nor does it assume TO Infct
upon its errius members, however wide may be
their alterations from duty. any penalties or pun.
ishments. other than those Ut admonition, sus.
pension, and expulsion.
The obligations Of the Institution require OF It's
members strict obedience to the laws OF God
and Man. So far from being bound by any en-.
gaeements inconsistent with the happiness and I
prosperity Of the Nation, every citizen, who De-
comes Mason, is doubly bound to be true to
his Cop to his Country, and to his FELLOW
Men In the language OF the " Ancient Const
tutions'' Of the Order, which are printed and
open for public inspection. and which are used
as text books in all the Lodges. he is required
to keep and obey the MORAL Law; to be quiet
and ppaceabIc citizen; true to his government
and just to his country .iazs~v
MASONRY disdains the making OF proseiytes
She opeas the portals of her asylum 10 those only
who seek admission, with the recommendations
of character unspotted by immortality and wee.
She simply requires Of the candidate his assem-
to one great fundamental religious truth the ex
istence and providence OF God; AMI practIca'
acknowledgment of those infaIlible doctrines Tor
the government of life, which are written BY the
finger of God on the heart of man. o.
Entertaining such seniments as masons. as c.
tizcns, as Christians, and as moral men, ana
deeply impressed with the conviction that the
Masonic Institution las been, and may jcdaunue 4
to be. productiveof great good to tlsrbe'lo"'
men; and havingas. received the laws OF the So
ciety, and its accumulated funds. in sacred!rus'
for charitable uses" the undersigned can nei'nf
Irenounce nor abandon il. We most cerGa'iy
kpnit6Sitaour brethren Of Salem and vicinity 10 |,
he declaration and hope, that ;. Should The pep
I .ple nj this country become so infatuated as !"
deprive Masons of their civil rights IN violation
of their written constitutions, and the wholesome
spirit Of just law. and free governments, 'a''
majority of the Fraternity will still remain hrn'
confdng in God and The rectuude OF their Ih't'
tons. for consolation, under the trials to "I'''
they may be exposcd.''
Mr.. .4dams-We confess, that Mr.. Adams
bearing in the II. Of Il. has hitherto most asreea'
bIy disappointed US. We regretted to see n,"'
return to public life; and particularly at MS AN.
ing seat in the II. of X. We were lar 'ron'
expecting that he would add any thing TO 'ns
stock of his reputation. The course when ne
has pursued to this moment. has baified al oI,