, 1855-09-07
7From the Bard town saturday Gazette.
To NaSOnS who have Joined The Secret Order
called KnOW-NOthingS.

wish to ask you whether or not it is not
inconsistent with your obligation as Ma
sons to join or remain with this new order?
| intend TO write nothing that is not proper
II be rriHcn, but give you plain facts
Almost the first knowledge impressed
upon our minds in A. Y Masonry is the
fact that il does not interfere with religion
or politics. 1t receives in its bosom The
goal fall denominations, Catholic or Prot
cstant, Christian or jew; it (unlike know
nothingisml ScornS the Atheist. In its
/ glorious prccepts VIC are taught that we
owe each other fraternal feeling, or bro
thCrly love, which should last through life.
We manifest this by attending even TO the
long home Il dead brother, by depoSiting
with his remains the sprg Of Cassia Let
me ask you if Masonry does not teach and
charge us TO be true to oWr 90 tUcrHmsat? And
does or not that government, in accordance
with our beloved principles alluded TO, say
that no religious test shall ever be requir-
ed as qualification TO any Office of public
trust under the United States Z" To these
principles as laid down consider myself
most solemnly pledged and sworn to maiu-
tain. !, as u Mason, cOnsiper further, that
| could not be member Of this new order,
even if found acceptable at their council,
for | could not agree 10 swear that "icOUid
rate ohiy for naiircJ0ra citizens far all o0iocs
IF honOr, trust, or proft in The gif Of The
people, tofbe eriHsion Of all foreigners, aLiens,
and Romaa Cathoiics in particular, and
,ciihOUt regard 10 partg prediLctiOn."
As understand Masonry (and | have
been one for good many years its aim
is moral Improvement; its end, charity;
from all nations and creeds we profess these
same principles Let me ask you if there
is a native-born American, who is my broth
cr-Mason in good standing, who is Cath
Ole in belief, or say the husband Of Cath
olic wife, or another who may be foreign
er and naturalized citizen, how can l as u
Mason take an oath TO prescribe either, be-
ing q Mason, because Of their religion or
birth? Ii | am in need or distress-yea, if
am drowning-arc they not as much bound
to relieve me or fly to my rescue, at the risk
Of their lives, as my native-born brethren
of protestant beliefl Would they not do
so as soon? l ask you, am not bound as
such to do likewise to or for them? Do we
not mcet them npoa Tie Lcret and part Nth
them on Me Ya0re2 11l's 'ai 3'll II. Vt. Il
Would not all this occur, whether IN
this or any other continentl If what /
here say, then, be not true, then Masonry
is nothing-know-nothingism everything.
How can l.. then, as Mason, 60 into a
lodge where there is no representative of
the sun al high meridian, The beauty and
glory Of The day and enter into obligation
and compact with every description of
character, Christian and Atheist, TO pre-
vent forever the two brother MasonS from
holding Offices of honor, trust, or profit in
this, their end my country, even though
they may be more needy and worthy than
their opponents in contest? My con
science, my obligations to them, my oath
to support the constitution of my country,
and which they have sworn to support, for
bid it, If I'swear to what is required by
this new order, l swear against Masonry
| swear against what have sworu-I com
nit, virtually Peruryi
Consider these few reflections in fra
ternal spirit, and come to such conclusions
as your conscience and better Judgment
may direct. oF5- gsaFt +, bad.
Fraternally, W. D,