Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-12-16


Petersburg lntelgencer crying up his reply to the
An,i-SIlsons as marked by the usual 'rankness aud
candor of the man. -" Let any read II, and
then let him say, whether Mr.. Clay is not really
counting Thaddeus Stevens and the Anti-M sons by
this equvocating language whether, as the Intel
ligencer says, being "a Mason HIMSELF and knowing
that all the objects Of that ancient institution are pa
tro,ic and benevolent, Mr. Clay has scoTned to court
It's opponents by aiding to the ISLANDERS which have
been heapcd the fraternity
We lay this correspondence before our readers
Later to Mr.. Clay.
LANCASTER, Nov II, 1913
Dear Sir large majority OF the Masonic party
of PENNSYLVANIA admire your political character and ap-
preciate your public services They think with You
on those great leading measures OF national pocy winch
you have long, ably and successfully advocated
have been requested by several respect rbe sebt''
men memhers of the anti Masonic party respectfully
ask you in what relation you stand TO the institution
of Free NJ lsonry
am, SIR, with great respect, your OBJ, se1y,',
Hon. Henry CLAY.
.Mr. Ciays .7nswer.
AsHLASp, 18th Nov, 1913
Dear Sir: | have duly received yonr letter, request
ing me- n. the instance Of several respectable gentle
men of the anti Masonic party in Pennsylvania, 10 stale
what are my existing relations u Free Masonry.
entertain great repugnance 10 appearing before the
public al any subject. and especially upon one
hich according 10 my humble apprehension, rs not
necessarily connected with the administration OF the
General Government; but the respectful terms IN
which YOU have teen pleased 10 address me, and tie
conscientious motives by which presume you 10 be
actuaed en,te you 10 frank ard full answer TO the
inquiry contained in your letter; and now have the
pleasure of accordingly transmitting such an answer.
became Mason IN early life, from youthful cu!
osity and social disposition. But never had any
taste for or was much skilled in a mysteries OF the
oder All the poiessed objects of the Institution, IS
developed TO me (and knew no other) were charitable
and benevolent never did contract and never would
have contracted, any obligations whatever Incompatible
with my duty 10 my country or I" society nave al
WAYS regarded the Constitution ard laws OF the land as
supreme and my obligations and duties 10 my country
as paramount to all other earthly obligations and du-
ties.
Official evidence Of my retirement from the L'dg',
upwards Of nineteen years ago, has bee published,
and have not since been member OF aay Lodge, nos
held any Office, place, or appointment @" any khd, III
the Institution. Nor do believe that conid, upon
nv own knowledge, recollection OF IT'S r'ies ana &c
remones obi ain admission, al this time, in any Lodge
OF any degree whatever. never, IN my -, veteH
for or supported any man. for any CIVIL or military, or
other appointment under Government because he "-s
n Mason, nor against any man, hecanse he was ""'
Mason In 1925, voted for Mr. Adams, Tor RES
dsni If the United S'a.cs although, have under
stood he was not Mason, and against General An
drew Jackson, notwithstanding, he was distinguished
member of that Order but il is proper TO state, t'a
was not at all influenced By tina, fact Among my mo,'
determined political opponents in Kentucky, are Ma
sons who now, lately held, according u the news
| pa pers eminent stations in the Lodge
Such IS a IA tifu account of my relations TO Mason
~ an institution which has comprised some oil the nos
eminent men OF country, dead and living pi''
sumo that the experience Of many men has been The
nv own that as advance in life, we cease 10 lake
any interest in attending such institutions.
In the sentiments OF love Of country, oil ooeG'eh'e
10 =, --.,:Aan"nt of Their paramount
obligation, and OF devotion to eur Free Institutions,
J ~ chich a ongi' =, nd | understand Amt.
AIasons are animated, | mos, heartily snd so,a,s!l,
concur. With great respect,
am your ohedient servant,
+. c. RE,GARr, Esq. II. CLAY.
MIR Clay's letter is very adrot attempt 10 prop
ate The nli-Nlasons, without g,ing the whole i.ae
against the Masons. How completely chlngcd NJ
Cloys tone towards The Anti ilasous On September
20.h, 1881, the Anti Masonic Convention mt s..
tmnre, 10 nomnat. their candtdlie Tor the Presidency
| MIR. John e. Spencer of New York IN the Char
For the purpose Of sounding Mr.. Clay, COMMITTEE
of the Suite Of Indiana had addressed him letter the
2nd September, (, which we have Mr.. Clays answer
ut the oh October alter The Convention lad taken Up
Mr.. Writ for their candidate. We now brg the refts,
10 review this letter Of Mr. Clay, aud then let hrI
compare the bold ard manly le'r OF II, to his
teous, accommodating, and shulng reply of the ie:t
monM.
"AsHLAND Oct. g, 1871.
"Gentemen | hope you will excuse the delay IN
acknowledging the receipt OF your letter OF the ID nit,
which has arisen from my absence from home, and from
various engagements.
"Waying The considerations that ha We no knowsd.e
OF the existence Of an Anti M.sonc ting in Hanover
Indiana, other than that WHICH is derived from your
letter, nor Of your appointment committee to
respond with me, other ,li1n your statements, the
satisfaction OF personal acquaintance with YOU y ]!
proceed at once to reply to your Litter. lis proGsed
object IS TO ascertain my sentiments the subject II
Masonry; aud the reason assigned by you for TINS m
quiry thus stated by yourselve sAs are gam
shortly to be called choose n tb
over the councils Of our nation It will then be cur
duty md our privilege to raise humble, but md
pendent voice in favor of suffrage and you
stand candidate for high and important station,
as yonr friends and fellow ciIiZ,ns, would solicit
from you frank and candid statement Of your sent
menls on this subject
81 do not know solitary provision in the Constitution
OF the U. ). which conveys the Gig htest authority TO
the General Government TO interfere, way The
other, with either Masonry ant-Masonry. IT, there.
fore, Presd of The u any other funciionafy
Of that Government were 10 employ his official power
to sustain or 10 abolish, to ld:unce the interests Q!
Masonry or anti Masonry, il would be net Of usup-
alton or tyranny.
"You have not called upon me for my opinion rp7D
any great practical measure FILLING within my scope Of
Federal powers; but passing by every question OF ys
interest, within the sphere Of its spera,ons you d..
mind my sentiments upon a subject with which hum
bly, conceive, IT has nothing 10 do ard you place tbs
demand on the ground of the influence which my sen.
tmens ght exert upon the exercise OF und1utted
and important privilege, which you possess
OF the United States.
"A compliance my part with your demand, would
amount to an implied admission, that individual sent;
ments the subject of Masonry, formed ptopercor
sderaton in regulating the exercise Of The Elective
franchise in respect 10 Offices OF The fe1cFa Govern
men can make such admission ! cpnno, b.
lieve that whether am hostile or friendly la Masonry
or nnt Masonry, is at oil material in h, iorni,on OF
any Judgment, on the part Of my fellow ci' ns COZ
corning my fitness for any flee under the Gavelnaeo'
oil the U. S That elevated Office TO which ynu aiG@,
should in my opinion, be filed By w' capable
unswayed by sectarian feelings passions, o: admin
tering its high duties impartially towards :he "h''t
people of the u s., however divided nb religious,
social, benevolent, or srary nss citations
"Enteitainng these views have constantly refused
to make myselfa party 10 the unhappy contest raging
distant from me-. in parts sf III Union, between
AIasons aud ant -AIas0ns Whils. iese rtEis'n
uncorrected rrsl adhere Ia ihit determination IL
indeed, you, gentlemen will point 10 lie provIsoG N
The Federal Constitution, ahch be leg mater
made 10 operate upon the subject in question: wonli
not hesitate promptly to comply with your request !"
the tune, in declining it, hope you will CONSIDER