The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-26

pace Oh meetn8 appropriate 10 the Grand Lodge of
the Empire State, but dependent upon such halls
us can be procured for q week in year. The Office
OF the Grand Secretary is located in building be-
longing to another society, and some of the subord
nate lodges are indebted for rooms to the good will
Of members Of an Order entirely distinct from ours
Other States can boast of their Masonic halls and a
stranger soourning from home can ascertain their
location from almost the first person he may chance
to ask the question. But let him inquirs in the CITY
of New York where he can find Mason, and unless
he address brother, the demand will remain unan-
swered When the profane world asks of u.s. OF what
benefit Is Masonry in the State OF New York, beyond
aordiBg material for expensive lawsuits, or oppor-
tunites for men to vent their spleen against each
other in offensive publications calculated to bring
Odium and disgrace upon Themselves and the frater-
nifty to which they belong, what answer can we make
to their demand? Can we, like many Of our sister
States point to college for educating the children
OF our poor brethren or an asylum for the destitute
widow and orphan? Can we name one child
ears Of one poor aged brother rendered comfort
BILE by the Grand Lodge of the State Of
New York, whose income amounts to thousandsZ
10 our shame, we cannot And why is i'll Because
the expenses of the Grand Lodge are so great that
we have not the means to carry out the chief object
orlwhich Masonry was instituted.
Let us examine the receipts and disbursements for
articnar date is that the full record of the moneys
received ana expended has never been incorporated
WIN tne printed proceedings except for that year.
IN 1903 me Gand Secretary reports having received
out $l2, 81, Leaving balance in his hands Of
1896 62. Out of this expenditure of Sl2249 "a but
sl,O03 "A was disbursed in charity; the balance,
Sll 245 20, was the cost of maintaining the Grand
Lodge. This enormous amount seems almost ncredi-
BILE, yet, by reference to the report, printed WITH
the proceedings of 1853 the accuracy Of the state-
ment may be tested.
And now, brethren, in as concise manner as we
could couch our language have we given slight
detail of the wrongs the city brethren have received
at the hands of clique" who have composed the
we have before remarked we have forborne until
forbearancel ceased to be virtue. Necessity de-
mands that we should assert rights which are ma
sonically ours, and we feel that we should be ent-
tied to no respect were we longer to submit tamey
to expressions which are degrading to ls as mer
and as Masons
We assert that, far as the acts OF .teGrand
Lodge concerned, the city lodges are blameless
rity, and that, if any wrong has been committed,
their only offence is their submission to the wrong.
We ask at the hands of our brethren a care
full examination Of the position in which we
have been placed, and such justice as our case
is entitled to- and although we do hope that
many. of our sister city lodges may feel their
situation as keenly as we do ours, aud adopt some
measure to break the chains which encumber their
sphere of usefulness; and although it would afford
us high qualification to be associated with them in
promoting the advancement of masonry, yet we
would not ask them to separate from the allegiance
by which they are now controlled, until they have.
like us, carefully weighed the consequences Of a step
like We are satisfied we are right, and are de-
termined to maintain the stand we have taken. We
annexed, and Holland Lodge, No. 8, will never re-
cede from the path which Masonic honor and Ma
sonic duty urge her to pursue.
ISAAC V. FOWLER, A. II. BARTLETT,
HENRY II. WARD, JOsIAHOGDEN HOFFMAN,
CORNELIUS GRiNNELL, WILLIAM JOHNSON
SAMUEL b. WHITE, JOTHAM Posi-
JAMES NJ. Hicks, HENRY WALTERS
NEW YORK, August IL, 1855. Committee.
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, the Grand Lodge, by assuming to itself
powers and authority incompatible with the spirit
Of masonry, breaks the compact, frees the snbordi-
nate lodges from their allegiance, and places them
back on their original masonic platform, as free,
sovereign and independent bodies: and,
Whereas, The Grand Lodge did openly violate its
original constitution in ls49, by the passage Of an
act Ell post tacto in its effects and which deprived
portion of its members Of rights which they had
enjoyed from the foundation Of Grand Lodge in
this country; and,
Whereas, The Grand Lodge did, in 1854, contrary
to the original principles and practices of Masons,
establish by majorities what are, and what are not,
ancient landmarks and
Whereas, The Grand Ledge has. since ls49, de-
prved the lodges located lin the city of New York
Of many privileges which had been originally guar
anteed. and committed other wrongful acts, viz.
!, By abolishng the quarterly communications and
the Grand Stewards Lodge, held for the examina-
ton Of its monetary affairs, the discipline of men,
ers residing in the city, and the distribution Of
charities; annung the power to grant warrants.
and restoring, without trial, member who had been
justly and legally expelled at a quarterly session.
and,
Whereas, At the recent annual communication
the Grand Lodge evinoed no desire to repair the
wrongs committed by the majority, and harmonze
the differences which have existed in the State dur
ing past years. but the contrary, Swallowed forth
determination to still further encroach upon the
rights and privileges of their city brethren-there
fore,
Resolved, That Holland Lodge, No. 8, feeling her.
self, in common with her sister lodges located luz
this city aggreved by repeated wrongs, and dcemng
it imperative upon her to support and maintain her
ancient position, aud command the respect which,
has been ever extended to her by the Masonic
world, and determined to adhere strictly to the an
cient landmarks of the Order, and encourage the
true principles of Masonry, is compelled to declare
herself free and independent.
Resolved, That Holland Lodge No. S, feeling con-
fdeDt that the position assumed by her viii he
justly appreciated by her sister lodges cordially in
vites them to cooperate with her in her endeavors
to maintain those Masonic principles By which We
all mr. In no Unverppd