The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-07-27
r r-'s.z..- From the BaIdstown Gazette.
To MasOns Who have Joined the Secret
Order called KnOW.N0lhin:s.


wish TO ask you whether or moi i, is not Econ.
| sslenf with y"ur obligations ss Masons 10 join or
remain with this new order? intend 10 write
nothing That is not proper to be oftuen, but give
you plain Iacis.
AIm"st The first knowledge impressed upon our
minds in A. Y. Masonry is the fact il does no, in
ietIrre with religion or politics. II receives in lis
bosom TIE good Of all denominations, Catholic or
Protestant. Christian or Jew it (unlikr Know.
N"thlnglsn) scurns the Atheist. In It's glorious
Pfrc"p's we are tansh, that we owe each other a
frarrrnal feeling. or nroih-rly love. which should
last through lite. We manifest this by attending
even to the long home dead brother. by drp"s.
ting with his remains The sprig of Cassia. Let me
ask you if Masonry does not teach and charge us
to be true TO our Gorernmeht !? And does not
that COvernm-nr, in accordance with our beloved
principles alluded to, say thar no religious test
shall ever lie required qualification TO any Of
fee OF public trus: under the United States 7 To
these principles as land down | consider myself
most snlrnny pledged and sworn 10 main ain.-
as Mason, consdt further. that could not be
Il member nl tins new order, even II found accep.
Ia Bile th.l: council. for could not agree swear
that : would vote only Tor native born citizens for
all Offices OF honor, trust, profit in the gift of
the p opIr TO h" exclusion OF all fore gnrs, aliens.
and Roman Catholics in particular, aud without
regard to party predrcrion.'
A. understand Masonry .(and have been
for good many years. its aim is moral improve.
men, lis end, charity from all nations and
creeds we profess these same principles. Let
ask you that II here is native born American,
who is my brother Mason in good standing, who
is Catholic in belief, say the husband of IA
Catholic wife, or another who may be O foreigner
and nnturaIIzed citizen. how can |, Mason,
take an oath to prescribe either. being Mason,
because of their religion or birth ! If am in
need distrrss-yea, If am drowning-are
they not as much bound to relieve me to f1v TO
my rescue, at the risk Of their lives, my native
born brethren 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
not ncet them upon the ieGeL and part a0ith them
up0u the square
Would not all this occur, " neither in tkis or any
other continent? Ifwhat here say then. be not
true, then Masonry is nnfhlng-know-Nn Nnihingism
everything. How can |. rhen, as Mason, go
INTO lodge or council, where there is no repre-.
s+ntive ot tn" at high meridian, the beauty
anil glOfy of the any, and enter into obligation
and compact with every description OF character,
Christian and Atheist, TO prevent fnrever the two
brother. Masons from holding offices Of honor trust
or profit in this their aud my country, even though
they may be more needy and worthy than their
opponents in a contest My conscience, my OBJ
legations to them, my oath TO support the constltu.
ton Of my country, and which they have sworn to
support, forbid 1t. If | swear to what is required
by tins new order, swear against Masonty-l
swear against what have sworn-l commit, vir'
Iunly, perjury
Consider these few reflections in fraternal
spirit, and come to such conclusions your own
conscience and b":ter judgement, may direct
Fra,.rnaIlv. W.