State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-09
For tho State Journal

AT tne last 1reemSn'S meeting i'll our
town, Mr.. A. who-professei to be DO
Iitical antimason, Tor, TO use his own Ian
guage, He was none of your halfway an
he was neither n whig nor
Jackson man, but a thorough-going anti
masonry actually gave his vote for one of
the prominent candidates, who, though not
a sworn muson, was VIGOROUSLY strong,
and even violent defender of masonry.
and an open scoffer at the antimasonic par
ty and principles. When Mr. A. was asked
how he could act so incousistenty with
his recent professions, 'why' said he, Il
could not vote for the other candidate be-
cause he is an adhering mason True, MIR
A. no antimason could consistently vote
for either, but then there is u third candid
ate who is an antimason.' 30 but what's
the use we ant strong enough yet TO
elect representative of our own party
We turned away from this thorough going
antimason,' who, as we then thought, ex-
hibited an obtlisity of intellect upon which
reason could make no impression. Con.
ceive then our amazcment (for speak in
behalf of more than myself) when short
time afterwards we behcld a portion of tho
antmasonic press giving currency to pre-
cisely the same confusion Of ideas. Veri-
ly they must have overheard the remarks
Of the poor ignorant creature Just alluded
TO- and cannot even claim the merit of ORR
gnality.
1t is difficult for language to convey the
deep and poignant regret which the present
symptoms ola too extensive secession from
the antimasonic party and principles has
caused in the minds of at least a few anti
masons; a few who have so loved the
cause, who have become so welded to its
principles, who have unwaveringly adher-
ed to it through good report and through
evil report, from its birth TO the present
moment. A feeling of deep and almost
overpowering sadness at the prospect be-
fore us, presses like leaden weight upon
our spirits, and almost unnerves the hand
that holds the pen. Wherefore write an.
other line or utter another word in support
of principles which ali have forsaken No
not all Hope whispers us, and more than
/ hope, belieG audihly proclaims that there is
a remnant ofthe faithful left. And when
we REGAL to memory the efforts which the
welcome and cheering voice OF staunch
advocate ofthe principles of antimasonry
has upon our own spirits we feel it an in
cumbent duty to reeiprocate, as far as in
us lies, the cheering influence which the
avowal of similarity of views never fails
]
especially of the responding.
There is a remnant left Witness the
advocates from Pennsylvania to Vermont,
of an attempt TO unite upon some sound
aniimason as Il candidate Cor the Presiden-
cy. Witness the calling of a National An
timasonic Convention Ivy the committee
appointed by the last National Convention
for that purpose. We rejoice at this ex-
ceedingly. We have been looking for this
announcement with longing and wishtul
eyes. And we hope, if there are fourteen
antimasons in Vermont, one half of them
will send the other half to tie National
/ Convention. But let us not talk offourteeD
antimasons in Vermont, we trust there are
some thousands who have not bowed the
knee TO Baal. And you who have not, be
entrcat d 10 hold fast your principles do
not permit yourselves TO he seduced by the
insidious voice of pretended friends from
your open enemies there is no danger.
| When you are told that the antimasons can
never agree upon candidate for the Pre-
sidency, and therefore OUGHT not TO t,y, re-
member the willy serpent. When you arc
told that even if they could agree upon
some one oftheir own principles they can
not hope to elect him, and ought therefore
10 give their support TO one Of opposite
principles, you behold the serpent still, but
bereft of his cunning. What a world DEFY
ing spirit must that man have, who dare
seriously advance the sentiment that if the
supporters Of certain principles cannot
hope to give predomnance to those princi-
piles at once, they ought to forsake them and
lend their aid i'll sustaining opposing prin-
cipies, because the latter are for the time
being the most prevalent. Consummately
vain TOO, must he he, who supposes, his
reputation for common sense is so firmly
established, that the ultersnce of such in
) efiable nonsense cannot shake it.
Now all this tumble of nonsense might
be avoided, aud the perpetrators thereof
even retain the respect of the party from
which they seeded, by an open and ex-
plicit remuneration of the principles of an
timasonry, and an avowal oftheir adhesion
TO other principles and another party.
10 the Masonic wings we say, behold
the mischief, your pertinacious and un-
hallowed support of masonry, has worked.
In some sections of tie country, thousands
of your own name and avowed principles,
have fallen into the ranks of that party,
which they Il moment before protested 10
believe was rapidly undermining the free
institutions of our country; all because of
uIcIl soul absorbing HaIeu OF the oppoSerS
Of masonry. While, in other sections, YOU
have by your unnitgable rancor, and
measureless abuse, driven other thousands
Of the opposers Of the present law contem-
ming administration, who were at the same
lime opposed TO secret and oath bound
societies, into the same overgorged ranks.
And all for what that few more years of
decrpltde and dishonor may he added TO
the existence of Fraternity, essentially
wrong in the principles of its formation