The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-05-02

ism.
In this Communication l intend to
show that the principles of Masonry are
in oppositions to the principles of Know
N~othingism. The former is a consolida-
ted brotherhood of men from all nations
of earth. The latter is a conspiracy to
destroy that:brotherhood of native and
adopted citizens, which the founders of
American liberty have established
The universal extension of the former
would establish universal "peacc on
EARTH" The universal extension of the
latte rwould establish universal hostility
against all adopted citizens of the Uni
ted States The faithful adhesion of
Masons to each other is secured by their
solemn oaths andobligations. The faith
full adhesion of adopted citizens to the
Government of the United States is Sc
cured in like name BY this security
Masonry has been handed down from
ancient times, and in like manner the
loyalty of adopted citizens has been
maintained toward this Government to
tho present time. Native-born citizens
are allowed to vote without being COM
PEELED to swear allegiance to the Consti-
tuition of the United States. In conse-
quence of this distinction between these
two classes of citizens, some notable
schemes of reason have been devised by
some of the native-born citizens while
adopted citizens have stood firm and true
to their. sworn allegiance, [ think [ may
say, without any exception.
1t appears strange to me how any Ma
son can be a Known othing. If such
Masons believe that the adopted citi-
them try the experiment, and receive no
more members on the oath bound princi-
pie, but take the SONS of Masons unsworn
like natives born Americans. The over
throw of Masonry might convince them
that KNOWN otkingism is a delusion.-
The oath bound principle would shield
Masonry from such an experiment, and
if all native born Americans were COM
PEELED to-swear allegiance to the Cover
ment before they could become citizens,
Know-Nothings would be extinct, and
loyalty to the Government would be as
extensive as Masonry is among Masons.
There is a great Inconsistency however,
in the course pursued by those Masons
WHO ndNS DGCOluS IDOh-
They are thereby stirring up strife and
hostility against their Masonic brethren
who are immigrants from foreign lands,
and if their KNOWN othingism should
triumph many of their foreign born
brethren would leave them to seek asy-
lums from their oppression in other
lands.
Masonry does not interfere with any
mans religious or political opinions
This is an objection that some would
make in opposition to my previous re-
marks, but the objection is not true in
a qtniverSal sense. When a Mason's po-
~litical theory interferes with his oblrga-
tions towards forcign-born Masons, then
Masonry does, or at least ought to inter-
fere. Masons who become Know-Noth-
ings are creating a hostile feeling against
their brethren from foreign lands, re-
CARELESS of their duties towards them
and their Masonic obligations. When
Know-Nothings make application to be
admitted into the Masonic fraternity,
they ought not to be admitted. They are
utterly unworthy of our fellowship l
think every Anti-Know N othiug who is
a Mason VIII coincide with me in giving
a negative answer to this question:
Let them, therefore, cooperate with me
in rejecting all Known othing arpli.
cants. Why should we hold fellowship
with such missanthropes?
Respectfully.
An ANTI K Now-NorHING MASON.