Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-01-19
A CANDID .aPPE.aL.
The following has bsen recently published ia
the Boston papers.
To THE p( RI,lG
no THE PlBLIC.

hIEh state OF excitement TO which NJ has Toe. Il
carried by the partial and infiammatory rep
sf certain offences, committed
BY few misguided members OF the Masonic
institution in a sister state. II seemed to the
undersigned, Presidents Of Boston and vIcin-
ity,)to be expedient to refrain from apub-
lie declaration oftheir principles and engage
ments, as Masons But, believing the time
now to be fully cone, when their fellow clti.
gems will receive, with cahdour, if not with
satisfaction, a solemn and unequiyoeai denial
of the allegations, which, during the last i've
-cars, in consequence OF their connection
with the Masonic fraternity, have been reit-
Grated against them, they respectfully ask
permission to invite attention 10 tae sub
joined
DECLARATION.
Whereas, II has been frequently asserted
and published to the world, that IN the seve-
raj degrees oil Freemasonry, as they are con-
fered IN the United States, the candidate, on
his initiation and subsequent advancement,
binds himself by oath to sustain his Masonic
brethren In acts which are at variance with
the fundamental principles of morality, aud
incompatible with his duty as good and
faithful citizen: in justice, therefore, TO them
selves, and with view to establish TRUTH
and expose IMPOSITION, the nndersIgned, ma
ny OF US the recipients OF every degree Of
Freenasonry, known and acknowledged in
this country, do most solemnly deny the ex.
istcnce of any such obligations, In the Ma
sonic institution, So far as our knowledge re-
spectively extends. AHd we as solemnly aver
that no person is admitted to the institution
without first beng acquainted with the ma
ture OF tho obligations which he will be re-
qmred to incur and assume.
Freemasonry secures its members in the
freedom oil thought and oi speech, and per-
mits each and every one TO act according to
the dictates Of his own conscience ~ matters
of religion, and OF his personal preferences
in matters OF politics. Ii neither knows, nor
does it assume to lnflct, upon its erring men,
bers, however wide pay be their alterations
lrsm duty, any penalties OF punishmcnts, o.
Their than those Of aGmonitlsn, suspension, SC
expulsion.
The obligations of the institution require
Of 1t. members strict obedience to the laws
Of Ged and of man. 81 far from beng
bound by any engagements incons,ste emf with
the happiness and prosperity of the nation,
every citizen who become MASON is donbiy
bound to be true TO hs GoD, TO his COUNTRY.
and to his FELLOW MEN La the language Of
the "Ancient Constitutions" oil the order.
which are printed and open for pubic nspec-
lien, and which are used as text books ia all
the lodges, be IS required to keep and obey
The MORAL Law, to be quiet anu peaceable
citizen; true TO his government and just to
bis country"
Masonry disdains the making of proseIytes.
She opens the portals of her asy lam to those
only who seek admission, with the recon-
mendahon OF a character unspotted ~ inn
morality and vice. She simply requires OF
the candidate his assent to one great iunds-
mental religious truth---the existence and
providence OF God; and practical acknow-
edgment OF those lniallble doctrines Tor the
government of life, which are written by the
finger of God On the heart Of man
Entertainin: such sentiments as Masons.
as citizens, as Christians, and as moral men.
and deeply impressed with the conviction
that the Masonic institution has been, and
may continue to be productive of great GOOD
to heirieiiow men; and having received the
laws OF the society, and its accumulated
funds, IN sacred trust for charitable uses"
the undersigned can neither renounce nor a.
bandoD 1t We most cordially unite with our
brethren OF Salem and vicinity, in the deca-
ration aud hope, that "should the people of
this country become so infatuated az to de-
pfive Masons OF thor civil rights, in violation
. 'heir written constitutions, and the whole
some spirit OF just laws and free governments,
vast majority of the fraternit, viii sui re.
nam hrm, confiding in God and the rectituds
'i their intentions, for consolation under the
rails TO which they may be exposedn
MS declaration 10 signed by over elecen
a'hdfca persons, composing some of the most
espectaole citizens of the state, PROCESSING
Inherent creeds in religion, and belonging tg
~ 'ae various political parties which now
'.s'ae puonc OPINION, excepting only, howe
er anti Masons Among the Boston sign
re, we nstice, says the Boston Gazette, the
ames oil geutlemea who have long been dis
ngnished for their piety and intelligence.
'esiih' honesty, public spirit, and all the yir.
'es wh'ch adorn the Christian characters
'wyers, merchants, traders, and mechanics,
'ho nave much at stake IN the community
GEonGETowN, ID. e. JAM 1882.
be Cham Bridge over the Potomac a.
oVe Ueorgctown was carried away vester.
ay" .fie9andria Gazette Jan, 10
We are happy TO say that This rs,o,, :.
Of correct The a6utments and -.
ere all safe on Thursday afternoon; we Walk
up the canal tow path TO point opposite
e Bridge on the Maryland shore, but could
1t get within half "a mile of the Bridge i.seIc
g Whole road leading from the canal TO the
ridge being covered with ice The nIanhs
I'd timber have been removed by ard..r 81
c proprletors, as measure of preca.t;nn !. /
Sc the Bridge should be carried awav. th.
Is piled up to the very top Of the abut-
ents and was at one time six feet ahaye ,Ie
vel oil the floor The riyar -