Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-16
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

Eegro Masonic Lodges Some time since,
our local reporter, in giving an account Of the
arrest of some negroes for being out after
hours, incidentally mentioned that when tax en-
up By the night watch, they were on their
way to their homes from attend ance at their
Masonic lodge. On seeing the paragraph in
the Star, local column, its editor promptly
called the attention Of the chief of the night
watch 10 the violation Of the law involved in
such gatherings Of negroes here, and also ap-
piled to high functionsry Of the Grand Lodge
of the District of Columbia for such an article
or articles to show that Negro Masonic Lodges
have no legitimate existence, as might be
proper to be published on behalf of our fellow
citizens who belong to the Order. Up to this
time We have not alluded to the subject in the
Stars columns, resting under an understand.
ing with the Masonic functionary to whom we
allude above, that as soon as his health will
permit, he will take the subject In hand.
Subsequently We have repeatedly called on
him to do so, and are daily expecting a COM
nunication from his practiced and well-bal
calling himself CALEB B. THOMAS. who is not
smenber Of any Masonic lodge of this District,
and is not known personally to any one in
Washington Of whom we can learn, wrote US
long communication upon the affair, os.ensibly
on behalf CT tho Order.
We did not publish the lucubrations of this
msn for various reasons First, we knew moth
ing and could learn nothing of him, and not
being Mason could not undertake to make
ourselves responsible in any way for positions
assumed by him in the matter Second, as
explained above, We relied ON o well known
gentleman Of this city, a distinguished
and prominent member Of the order, who
manifested much indignation on the subject to
which cur publication referred when we called
on him about it, and who promised to furnish
US with matter showing that the 60 called lodge
of negroes in this city could not under any
circumstapces be regarded by regular Masons
rs Masonic body, nor its members as Masons;
that the lodge was irregular and spurious, in
somuch as no such body had been or would
be chartered by the Grand Lodge in this Dis
trict, and as no Grand Lodge in this country
had or would assume the responsibility of char
tering such lodge in this District, or else.
where, where Grand Lodge already existed
having exclusive jurisdiction over such mat.
ter. While thus awaiting a communication
from that high Masonic functionary, we End
In the Richmond Enquirer of yesterday a
Washington letter on the subject, over the
initials Of the man, Thomas, containing the
following grossly calumuious, impairment, and
unvarrsntsd illusions to US personally:
I'VE Immediately wrote TO the Star, re.
minding II that these negro Masonic lodges
as IL styled them, were unlawful Assem- biIes
inasmuch "a the Grand Lodge Of MARYLAND
would lot be guilty If disgracing the Mssoui.
order by granting charters for negro lodges
The Star took DO notice OF the communic alton.
which We requested them TO publish, probably
caring more about its respectable colored
subscfibers' than for the regular members Of
the masonic order. Whether the editor Of the
Star visits regularly these negro lodges or not,
We cannot ray; but at any rate he appears to
feel sn ardent attachment for bis wooly.
headed colo.ed brothers AS is we'll known
here, the editor e the Star is not Mason.
lie certainly could not find admission to any
regular Masonic lodge in this city,
This assault upon US could not have been
seen previous to its publication upon anon
ynoas authority By either editor of the En-.
T"UT, both Ct whom know US personally, and,
also, the inysrisble course Of the Sta, upon all
nstter' bearing on the necessary domestic dis
ciplius q; the South, too well to permit them
to send out Intentionally through the agency
Of their journal any such imputations upon