The Placer herald., 1855-10-20
Know-Nothingism VS.. Masonry.

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We copy the following letter from the
Bardstown Gazette. 1t was written by a
Mason to his brethren who have joined the
Known othing Order, and is we'll worthy OF
a careful perlsal:
TO MAsoNs WHO HAVE JOINED THE SECRET
ORDER CALLED KYow-NoTHINGs.
| wish to ask you whether or not it is in
consistent with your obligation as Masons to
Join or remain with this new order? in
tend to write nothing that is not proper to
be written, but to give you plain facts.
Almost the first knowledge impressed
upon our minds in A. Y Masonry, is the fact
that it does not interfere with religion or
politics. 1t receives in its bosom tie good
of all denominations, Catholic or Protestant
Christian or Jew; it unlike Know Nothing-
ism) scorns the Atheist. In its glorious
precepts we are taught that we owe each
other flaternal feeling, or brotherly love,
which should last through life We mani
fest this by attending even to the long home
a dead brother, by depositing with his re-
mains the sprig of Cassia Let us ask YOU
if Masonry does not teach and charge us to
be true to oar government. And does not
that government, in accordance with our be-
loved principles alluded to, say, "that no re-
llglous test shall be required as republication
to any office of public trust under the United
States" To these principles, as laid down,
consider myself most soemly pledged, and
sworn to maintain. /, as Mason, consider
further that | could not be a member of this
new order, even if found acceptibe at their
council, for could not agree to swear that
81 could cote only for natiye-born citizens for
all offices Of honor, trust or profit IN the gW
Of the people, to the erclusion of foreigners,
oliens, and Roman Catholics in particular,
and without regard to party pyedilection."
As | understand Masonry (and have been
one for a good many years) its aim is moral
improvement; its end, charity; to all nations
and creeds we profess these same principles.
Let me ask you that, if there is native born
American who is my brother Mason in good
standing, who is Catholic n belief or say
the husband of a Catholic wife, or another
who may be foreigner or naturazed citizen,
how can |, as Mason, take an oath to pro-
scribe either, being a Mason, because of their
religion or birth' If | were in need or dis
tress, yea, if | am drowning, are they not as
much bound to relieve me or fly to my res
cue at the risk Of their lives, as my native
brother of Protestant belief! Would they
not do so as soon! ask you, am not bound
as such to do likewise to or for them? Do
we not meet them upon tie ieyel and part
sciM them on the square,
Would not all this occur, whether in this
or any other continent? If what | here say,
then, is true, then Masonry is nothing; Know
Nothingism is everything How can |, then
as Mason, 90 into lodge or council where
there is no representation of the Sun at hiqh
meridian, the beouty and glory Of tie day,
and enter into obligation and compact with
every description Of character, Christian and
Atheist, to prevent forever the two brother
Masons described from holding offices of
honor, trust or profit, in this, their and my
native country even though they may be
more needy and worthy than their opponents
in contest? My conscience, my obligation
to them, my oath to support the Constitu
ton of my country, and which they have
sworn to support, forbid it. If swear to
what is required by this new order, swear
against Masonry swear against what |
have sworn-I commit, eirtuaLy peJury!
Consider these reflections in fratcrnal
spirit and come to such conclusions as your
own conscience and better judgment may
direct. Fraternally, W.