Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1843-12-28

Mr.. Reigar Of Lancaster, Pa, has
written letter TO Mr. Clay in behalf Of
several Members OF the Anti Masonic
party wishing TO know in what relation
be stood TO Masonry.
The following is the reply published
in the Lancaster Union
ASHLAND, Goth Nov. l843.
DEAR SIR IL have duly received
your letter, requesting me al the Instance
of several respectable gentlemen Of the
Anti. Masonic party in Pennsy lvan'a, to
state what are my existing relations to
Free Masonry.
| entertain great repugnance To ap-
pearlng before the public at all, on any
subject, aud especially upon one which,
according to my humble apprehension,
is not necessarily connected with the
administrator of the General Govern
mem bu, the respectful terms in which
i on have been pleased Ia address me,
aud The conscientious motives by winch
! presume you 10 be uctuated, eD'nlr
you To a frank and full answer to the in
quiry contained in your letter ; and ]
now have the pleasure Of accordingly
transmitting such an answer.
became Mason in ealiy life from
youthful curiosity and social disposition.
But | never had any taste for, or was
much skilled IN the mysteries of the Or
der. A The proiessed objects Of the
Institution as developed 10 me (and ]
knew no oiheri were charitable and be-
nevoient. never did contract, and
never would have contracted, any Obl-
cations whatever incompatible with my
duty to country, or to Society. ! have
regarded the Constitution and Laws Of
the Land as Supreme, and my obliga-
,ions and duties 10 my Country as para
noun, to all other earthly obligations
and duties.
Official evidence of my re'iremenl
from The Lodge upwards of nineteen
years ago, has been published ; and !
have rot since bceu member Of any
Lodge, nor held any Office, place or
appointment of any Kind in The lnstitu-
tiop. Nor dn ! believe that ] could,
upon my own knowledge or recollection
Of its rites and ceremonies, obtain ad-
mission, at this time, in any Lodge o!
any degree whatever. | never IN my
life voted for or supported any man, for
any civil or military or any other ap-
pointment under Government, because
he was a Mason nor against any mnn
because he was not Mason, n 1928
| voted for Mr.. ADAMS, as President ol
the United States, although, as | have
understood, he was not Mason Bnd
against Gen. ANDREW JACKSON, not
wilhstanding he was distinguished
member ofihal Orde, but it is proper
to state lha, was not at all Influenced
by that fact. Among my most deter
mined political opponents in Kentucky
are NIasons, who now or lately held ac-
cording to the newspapers, eminent sta
tions in the Lodge.
Such is faithful account Of my tela =.
lions to Masonry, an institution which
has comprised some of the mos, eminent
men OF our country, dead and lIylng. !
presume that the experience OF many men
has been, like my own, that as we ad
vance IN life, we cease To take any inter
esi in atepdlng spch institutions.
In the sentiments Cd love al country
of obedience to It's laws, of acknow ledge
ment Of their paramount obligation, and
Of devotion 10 our Free Institutions, by
which all oue hl to be, and ] understand
An'i-Nlasons are animated, j most hearth
ly apd cordially concur.
With great respect, am your ob't serv't
II. CLAY.
L. c. REIGARr, Esq,