Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1836-02-13

lswfa why call upon hmm 10 crimn'
ate himself! And why compel him
TO violate a confidece reposed, under
the penalty Of imprisonment if he re-
fuses to sacrifice his honor and his
rights.
The masonic institution, SO far as
my knowledge Of it extends incul-
Gates obedience 70 the laws Of the
country, and the practice of every
moral virtue congenial to the precepts
of the highest standard of moral ex-
cellence-in all its principles it is en-
tirely unconnected with the polite
ical conflicts Of the day. SO far as
acquainted with its objects or its de-
signs they are essentially charitable.
and | am free to say that it never
can for one moment have the slight
est influence in elections or in JUDI
cial proceedings, unless prostitutcd
from all its original purity; and have
no reason to believe that the mem
bers of that society are less pure in
morals, or less patriotic i'll sentiment
and action than any similar number
ii other American citizens
Entertaining the highest respect
for the House of Representatives, and
for the committee emanating from
their authority. it is with reluctance
l ana constrained Ivy principles coe-
val with civil liberty itself to question
the power claimed, as in direct con-
of constitutional rights
and an Infringement of princi les on
which rests the foundation OF Ameri-
can Liberty.
Disavowing therefore any and ev-
cry the rernotest intention of disre-'
spect to the House of Representatives
Or to the committee of its appoint
nent, l feel myself bound by consid-
erations of duty, which | owe not
more to myself individually, than tol
he freemcn of Pennsylvania gener-
lily, TO resist by all lawful means every
,ncroacln.nent, under what pretence
'oever the same may be made, upon
he rights of conscience; every at
empt, however speciOus, to abridge
he privileges of the citizen, or to in
rinye in any the slightest degree up
IN the liberties and inmunities of the
people as secured to them individu-
lily and collectively by the constitu-
ion.
And to this end | respectfully but
o!ennly repeat my Protest against,
md utterly deny the right of the COM
nittee: of the House of Representa-
ives itself; or Of any other human
'over to interfere with my constitu-
ional rights as 4 free citizen of the
tate of Pennsylvania; with my priv
leges Us free agent. or with the in
ulgence of my predictions to form
UGH associations, not prohibited by /
aw nor violating any provision of the
as / may from time to
lme think proper-or to interrogate
ne concerning the same, or to COM
eel me to answer in any wise in rela-
ion thereto.
therefore respectfully decline APP
earring before the committee as requi-
ed by the subpoena. lido this with (
he less reluctance as there are nu-
lerous other members Of the associ- (
ton both in and out of the House of l
representatives., whose knowledge on '
lie subject of Masonry is doubtless
luch more accurate and minute than
~ own. mot having visited a lodge
or paid any attention to the subject '
n the last fifteen or twenty years. & i
Tho possibly differ with me in op:n- i
N. in regard to the constitutional I
which | entertain. u
Very respectfully,
GEO. WOLF. I
Harrisburg. Jan. IL, 1886. il
o the committee of the House of ,
Representatives. to whom were re-
ferred petitions of divers inhabitants
of Pennsylvania, praying an inves- {
tigation into the evils of free ma
sonry. II
From the Cincinnati Gazette
WHITE WATER CANAL MEETING.
At Il large and respectable meet |
10 of the citizens. held at the Col. {