The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-07-28


his mother earth. .Fi kAN N&M0
From the Southern Star.
masonry and Know Nothingism
Mr.. EDlroR;-The proscriptive and in.
tolerant doctrines promulgated by the or
der yclept, in the parlance of the. times.
"Know Nothingism" is suggestive Of some
reflections to which Ihave, as yet, seen no
|allusion.
I alludc to the relation which the Know
Nothing doctrines bear to Masonry, in its
teaching, precepts, injunctions, &c. know
OF my knowledge that you arc not Mason,
unless recently made one, and as such, /
shall not expect you to discuss this subject
at length, but hope that by giving this
short communication place in your paper
opinions may be elected by pens capable
Of doing this subject justice, and which will
admonish all good and true Masons to be-
ware, least they falsify the teachings and
|precepts of Masonry, men who in the DO
litical relation, would prescribe and ostra-
else those whose place of nativity and relig-
ious creed should be different from their
own. 04
How very paradoxical the teachings of
Masonry and the Know Nothing creed |!
Though all the steps and gradations of Ma
sonry, from the entered apprentice to the
Royal Arch degree, the recipient of Mason
ic instruction is expressly assured that this
inception and progression in Masonry shall
not disturb the relation he bears to God,
his family, his country, or society. On the
contrary, he is expressly told that in tho
step he is about to assume-he|may worship
God as he sees fit and propcr-he may en-
tertain whatever political creed lie chooses
--he is not asked where he was born: In
word, Masonry inculcates the largest liber-
ty OF conscience in all matters of religion,
and proclaims universally of brotherhood,
|co.extcnsiyc with the world of mankind. 4,
Masonry knows no distinction on account
of birth-placc--it regards no religion pc.
culiarly or especially, and it alone teaches
and requires the belief of Supreme Ruler
OF the Uniycrse-conscqn she embra.
ccs into one common brotherhood, the jew.
Mahomcdan and Christian. 1t has been
beautifully said that: n
Masonry is cosmopolitan: she requires
Tor her votarics.to be ofno particular tongue.
nation or sect. She opens her portals for
all, If they be but worthy and we'll quail
fled.
"she asks not for any special dialect
She but teaches and requires that universal
language which is used wherever its innu..
cnce is diiluscd. There are no laws of nat.
uralization in Masonry; its demand only
is TO be good and true.p -.
! appeal to every Mason, If what I have
said is not true. Then is it not hypocrisy
lying and basc libel upon Masonry, to pro-
scribe man at the baAot boz for his birth,
and his religion, and then bring him to our
bosom in Mason's Lodge? Reason, sense
justice, age reHgion, answer yes! r.
The defeat OF Democracy is by far tho
least Of the evils which Know Nothingism
threatens to entail upon the country. Dc
mocracy has experienced temporary defeat
through the influence Of intrigue and hum
buggery, but the "sober second thought
has always been competent to the task of
the rcestablishment of the justice OF its prin-
cples and the supremacy of its rule. The
old man after temporary repose, wakes
up to vigorous and exhilerating rejuven-
escence. The beauty, harmony and clficien-,
cy OF it's principles, are illustrated and
made manifest by the contrast of its oppo-
site--hence there. is, but little to fear in
this aspect of Know-Nothingism, but 1t is
to the religious feature of the proscriptivo
creed we are to look for the impending
danger. There is no conccaling tho fact
that the denial of the freedom of conscience,
which Know Nothingism incucates, is des-
tined, if persisted it, to disturb the whole
fabric upon which society rests. Every
ramifcation, phase and form Of human as
sociation and organization, must be more
or less convulsed by the application and en-
forccment of a rule which denies to men the
right to worship God according to the die
tates Of conscience. .e
lit is right TO deny men this right at