Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1832-07-06
ANTE I'M ASONTC..

The following Remuneration will be read with
pleasure by the friends of equal rights. Mr..
Tucker has resided in Dixfeld from his youth,
is an intelligent respectable farmer, of fair cha
racter. These are the men--these farmers, the
bone and muscle of the communicate whom
we look, and on whom we depend, for the BAN
ishmcnt of the monster from our soil. Every
reputable man who leaves the stmystic band, =
clips head from the hydra, which all the 'se-
cret arts and mysteries Of wonderwurkynge"
masonry can never replace Maine F. Press.
REMUNERATION.
Messrs. Editors.--Having from my youth
been accustomed to hear freemasonry, when
spoken Of, represented as an ancient, honorable
and useful institution, possessed of valuable Sc
crets, TO which the initiated were strangers; &
knowing that many of its members with whom
was acquainted were considered men of res
pectabiIity, was led to think favorably OF the
institution, and finally conclude, if a convenient
opportunity occurred TO oifet myself to the fra
ternity as candidate for initiation. Accord.
ingly in 1898, by the assistance ofa friend who
was mason, made application in due form
TO the Blazing Star lodge in Runiford in this
State, was accepted, and, as was informed
passed and raised to the sublime degree OF mas
ter mason, agreeably to the 'tancieht rnles and
usages of the ORDER" But, instead of finding
the Institution to accord with the favorable re.
presentations which had been given it, found
much, especially in the obligations and cere-
monies, which could not altogether approve
/ found its boosted secrets to be nothing more
than such secrets as any society OF men could
invent and make use of for their own mutual
intercourse and advantage. attended four
lodge meetings: but finding I had been deceiv-
4 h. II 6af
it would be better for me to have but little &c
do with it. have not, however, felt at lber-
~ to speak against the institution, but have pre-.
ferred, as general rule; to be as silent on the
subject as I consistently could.
The more have reflected on the nature and
tendency OF extensive secret societies and com
binatious, the mole fully have become salts.
fed that they are at variance with those repub'
lican principles Of equal rights, which have G.
yer considered as the rightful inheritance OF A.
merican citizens: and on which Iconsider the
civil and political institutions Of our country &c
he founded. While thinking of this, and look
ing forward to the bearing which the masonic
institution may have on the state of our coun
try at some future period, providing the insti
tuition shall continue to prosper and increase,
have come 20 the conclusion that 1t will ult
mately be better for the country for the peace
and welfare of its citizens in general, to hav'
the institution abolished. have become NOR
fully satisfied of the correctness ofthis conciu
sion, from considering the masonic institution
in the present enlightened age, is unnecessary
that all the good which ever accrued from II
(if ANY, may be effected at the present day b,
other and far less exceptionable means-an'
that il is by no means certain majority of tn
membcrs Of the institution may not, at som
defiant per;od he {ai. less yirtuous and NOR
ambitious than they are now. or ever have bee
From these and other considerations whic
might be named, have been led TO think tn
safer and more patriotic course is to let the in
stitution go down. And having formed this o
pinon, deem it my duty, in order to be con
sistent, to let it be publicly known that hav
renowned all connection with the institution.
I trust there are many of the fraternity at III
present day, whose views respecting treema
sonry are somewhat similar to mine. woul
ask such, whether it would not be better an
& appear more consistent, for them to let thei
opinions respecting the institution be puelicl
known, than by silence on the subject, to suite
their names to be counted in support OF II.
While would thus express my opinion.
gainst the institution of freemasonry, as bern
secret society which ought not to be uphelt
it is but Just for me to state also, that consit
er many Of its members, those particularly wit
whom am acquainted, to be men of virtue
respectability, whom highly esteem, & who's
feelings would ever wish to regard, when
can do it consistently with what my duty to n
country and to my fellow citizens general
appears to me to require.
Dixfeid, NAY, 1882.
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