Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-07-29
For the burlington Free Press.
CANNOT A MAN BE CONSISTENTLY
BOTH A WING ANDAN ANTINASON!

| ~
MIR. EDlToR-Thc unceasng efforts which are
now being made by that portion Of The once united
but alas ! now divided Antmasonic party, who
have. in violation of their own hitherto professed
principles. joined The Van Buren, standard 10 per.
suade the people that Anlimasonry has nothing in
il that can admit Of union with what is termed
the Wing party-induces me at this Time 10 offer
a few remarks this head for the purpose OF
showing the Gllacy and absurdity OF the ground
assumed by the MiddieLury Fres Press and its
kindred clan. Now, sir, as l am an aniimason
myself trust that the observations | am about TO
offer will not be denounced as the attempts of n
wing, only to seGuce the antimasons into fatal
amagamalon with his party by surrender Of their
own peculiar principles as a distinct party, when
state here explicitly, that am more ready 10
support nor 10 sustain my protested anlinlasonic
brethren in supporting known adhering mason for
Office, than have been heretofore. To exclude
masonic influence from our important Offices where
The impartial administration of justice is concerned,
point which, as an,imasons, we are far as ever
from being willing 10 surrendered but that, as
men interested in The civil affairs Of our General
Government, we cannot or ought not hold any opin.
ion common 10 those who feel il their duty 10 on.
pose what they consider TO he unwise, impolitc
or unconstitutional in the measures adopted by our
rulers, while they do not assume the decided stand
which do in regard 10 supporting Masonry-js
position against which must enter an unqualified
negative, for this plain reason that our opinions
in regard 10 those things on which, the question of
Masonry has no relation, cannot be reasonably ar
iec'ed by our opinions OF secret societies, be that
opinion favorable or uniavorabe. The opinion of
The system Of policy pursued bv the national Admin
is,ration, which distinguishes those termed Wing
from those termed Tories, my, therefore, be held by
those whose opposition 10 the institution of Free.
| masonry entities them to the name of An,masons
without being in the least contrary or inconsistent
| with their peculiar faith, as such. This is a pro-
position which 10 me appears plain and self.ev.
| dent that am as'onished al the endeavors of some
| ol our antmasonic champions 10 make. us believe
| otherwise. That may not be accused of adopting
IA one.sided rule Of logic, acknowledge the rule
will work both ways; man may hold opinions in
general favorable 10 The measures pursued by the
present administration, and still be true anIima-
son. The fact that the anlimasonic party, as such,
is composed Of such belonged 10 each of the other
| parties previous TO their ing the stand against
masonry, sufficiently proves The truth of what
have here advanced, although The animasons have
generally as body been considered as having been
for The most part opposed TO the Jacksonian policy
adopted by our general government. And now that
The Anlmasons having unfortunately failed in unit.
| ing upon candidate of their for the Presiden
cy, The original political predictions Of such AS
were first ranged the side Of one or the other of
Tue primary phties existing previous 10 Inc masonic
outrage which gave rise to political antmasDnry-
can pretty nearly be ascerlained in the number who
| prefer Van Buren, to zen. Harrison, although the
last named individual is the only one who has ex-
pressed opinions favorable 10 Anlimasonry. To the
! adoption by the respective individuals composing
| the ranks of the anlImasonc party, of such views
respecting the policy pursued by the general govern.
| ment seemelh 10 them best, no person can rea.
sonably object. And it is no more departure
from our principles as anlimasons 10 entertain and
defend political sentiments respecting the measures
| of government which common TO the Wings,
than il is to ADVOCATE those of the other pariy,-
| The endeayors therefore, Of those who would be
| thought Simon Fures Of antimasonry who have
| themselves violated their proiessed principles in
going for the support of a man who meyer has avow-
ed himself anlimason, 10 excite an unreasonable
hostility toward the Whigs-is ridiculous in the
extreme, savoring Of spirit too faclous and ex-
elusive TO be set down on The score oc real friend
ship. Tor the anlmasonic cause. conceive no thing
more is requisite 10 maintain our ere liz as aniima.
sons in distinction from The rest of the political
elements, than 10 select and support such men for
Office as can safely e presumed as uninnuenced by
the obligations of Masonry, or uncontrolled by its
promises or threats.
Az AHTIMAsoS OF HuEIISGToY