Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-09-05

MR. FILLMORE On SECRET SOCIETIES.
At the request of al Alabama correspondent, We
present facts showing the violent opposition OF
Mr.. Fillmore to Free Masonry, upon the distinct
ground of a antagonsm to all secret societies. lest
they be led into interference in political matters. No
more forrbe speeches against secret political
cialions can anywhere be produced than those de.
ivercd in Buffalo by Mr.. Fillmore, when candidate
Of the anti. Masonic party in 1898. He then sub
scribrd To the following srntiments
;. "The institution (Mnsonry) is ut with the
spirit of free government hostile 10 all equality
OF rights aud mplssEble barrier 10 the admnlstra
ton vi Justice"
1. the tqunity uf rights which the Constitution
expressly guarantees cannot exist while Il secret 80
criy shelters it, mrinDrs, sud the ascendancy o law
and good order cannot be maintained III the colninu
nity while an extensive and Influential budy Ol men
claim and exercise the power ol imposing ana ell
i"rcng obligations which must soon come INTO direct
collision with tn: laws and duties uf society,"
D. 1t is i'll vain to trInporIze and paier with oui
duty. If we wish tn destroy the baneiul influence OF
Masonry (secret societies) we must withhold oul
votes from those who support It. We frankly &C.
Knowledge that in some cases personal and poiltica
friendships render this duty painful and difficult to
perform bnt honest and faithful citizens ari
bound 10 sacrifice predictions for individuals t.
the safety and success of the important principles We
have esp"used, aud why should We stare at mca
sure in dserc- oi our rights, which our opponents
have successfully used to usurp them They ar.
bound hy oath ~ vote for n brother before any per
son "f equal qualifications" ana TO support his mil
tary and political prcirrmrnt III opposition to nnoh
cr Is ii not norssary in srli-de-uce TO resist this
alarming conspiracy Can we shut our eyes I" III,
fact that ambitious aud Designing men have attached
themselves 10 this institution H. "rtain that prefer
ncnt of which they were unde.ervng! When i
shall become well established that Masonry tsrcrc
socctes has ceased To afford s vour-s superior ad
vautGgcs for political objects, the great nhucenen
that now susralns the institution will be lost
Such is the strong language employed by Mr.. Fill
more in attacking the charitable aud benevolent III
,,uinn Of Masonry-and with II most extraordinary
Inconsistency, this same Mr.. Fillmore is now the
member of a secret yOidjca' society, regularly i'll
duc-d under the auspices of II dark lantern, and pre-
SCENTS himself iu the American people as the candidate
of that party for the Presidency. We say nothing o
the proscriptvc and bghting prlncpl OF the Know
Nothing purity, which cIHn!s and exercises the powe
Of enforcing obligations that must conflict with th,
Constitution AMI laws. To prove the pliabeness o
Mr. Fillmore, it is sufficient 10 point to the fac
that the once bitter as>aant Of Masonry, whcl
has nothing to do with politics, un account of its St
crecy is now the head and leader of Il secret pOHicd
party that would destroy civil equality and religious
liberty.