Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-08-16
For The Freeman.
Where are the AntimaSOnS Of 1880!


Where are the AntimaSOnS of 1890!
Mr. ED1ToR:-lt is not my intention in this commit
ncation to discuss the merits of masonry antmasOnry,
but have ask those who thought necessary to make
use of tho ballot bOr effect the overthrow of the nsti
tuition of frcemasonry TO review with of their
arguments and for doing and they do not
apply with as much force and fitness to the institution Of
American slavery, they did to that of masonry; and if
we find that they d. must ask, whether they are not in
duty bound to make of the means to rid them
selves and their country of this evil they did to rid
themselves of that.
The accusations which were brought against the insti-
tuition of feemasony, and the be used to effect
Its destruction, shall copy from reports of committees to
the National Antimasonc Convention, held at Phade.
pha Sep 1880, and from address reported by COM
mittee appointed for that purpose and signed by every
member of the convention
One allegation against the institution of masonry was
that it immoral in its tendency and anti-chrstan in
Its character Well, is not this of slavery Is there
anti-chrsany enough in the laws of slavery TO ex
cite our indignation? What shall say legal
ments prevent people from learning to read? What of
the penalties for those who shall attempt to teach persons
even to read the Bible? What shall say of the laws of
Louisiana, which award the penalty of death for the
-cond offence of teaching coored person in Sunday
school? And what greater tendency TO immortality, than
TO deprive one million and half of females, of pop
uation of millions, of all protection, such pro-
lection the wolf would give to the lamb? But if the
testimony of John Wesley, that "savery is the sum ofa
vanies'' is to be credited there need not be said
this point
1t Furthermore charged that masonry prevented the
administration of JUSTICE at defiance the laws ofhe
land- peaceabe citizen from his family, incarce
rated him in a dungeon, and finally in all probability
cuted the penalty death upon him. for other cause
than that he disclosed the evils and the niquiy OF the in
stution.
These grave charges, surely, and demanded the
serious consideration of ALL But has not slavery produ-
ced as much as this? What but the power slavery pro-
eeted the rioters who acked Arthur Tappans house?
What but the influence of slavery prevented the ncend
aries who burnt Pennsylvania Hail. from receiving their
merted punishment Why was Amos Dresser publicly
whipped in Nashville Ten. in disregard of all law
cept Lynch Law? Why was c. T. Torrey imprisoned at
Annapolis, but because he known to be opposed to
the institution of slavery? And why was Lovejoy shot
slavery as William Morgan attempted do of masonry.
And why were his murderers brought to trial? Be-
slavery rules the naion and controls the gov
eminent of the free States which border the slave
States. Can the government of this nation protect
in thirteen of these confederated States or even in the
capital, from the power of slavery? Did not senator
from South Carolina declare in the that let abb
otionist into that State and if they could catch
him, they would hang him in spite of all the government.
on earth!
Another charge against the institution was, that it
dered the press subservient its will and on this pon
the convention resolved, That it is plain principle
politics. that society of ought exist among
which directly or indirectly abridge the freedom O
Me press; and when such abrdgment does take place
there is remedy for the evil but the appeal to the PEG
pie, in the exercise ofthe elective franchise"
Now if this was good doctrine for men to be governed
by in 1880, is it not good for 1S4A Is there man q
intelligence in Vermont who has not, for the last e
years. had sufficient evidence that slavery has abridge
the freedom of the press? How few of the papers of tn
land have spoken in reprobation of the riots Boston
New York, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati, which g
up purpose for annoying aboionists? How few hav
expressed any sympathy regard for those who have
fered in their persons, property because they endea
Ored to sustain the principles of liberty, and the rights
their fellow bengs' How few have enlightened the
readers in respect to the treatment of the slaves? Do III
political papers show how the Shareholders have usurpe
the political power of the land: have the religious pape
discussed the anti-chrisan and immoral influence Of 81
very, as they have that of catholicism? We all kno,
that as general rule they have not And what il b
that has struck these public sentines so numb and