Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-09-12
Mr.. Fillmore on Secret Societies.

At the request Of an Alabama correspondent, we
present some facts showing the violent opposition of
Mr.. Fillmore Free Masonry, upon the distinct
ground of his anagonism to all secret societies. lest
hey be led into interference in political matters. No
more forcble speeches against political
Citations anywhere be produced than these delv-
cred in Buffalo by Mr.. Fillmore, when candidate of
the anti Masonic party in 1928. He then subscrib-
ed to The following sediments
3. " The institution Masonry is at war with the
spirit of our free government, hostile to all equality
Of rights and impossible barrier 10 the admnstra.
ton of Justice
4. "The equality of rights which the Constitution
eXpress guarantees cannot exlst while secret
cety shelters its members, and the ascendency of law
and good order cannot be maintained in the commu
nifty while an extensive and influential body of men
claim and exercise the power OF imposing and enfOr
cling obligations which mnst come into direct
collision with the laws and duties of society"
5. I" 1t is in vain to temporiZe and palter with oul
duty. If we wish to destroy the baneul influence Of
Masonry (secret socieies) we must withhold oul
votes from hose who support It, We frankly &C
knowledge that in some personal and political
friendships render This duty painful and difficult to
perform but honest and faithful citizens we are
bound TO sacrifice our predictions for individuals tc
the safety and success of the important principles we
have espoused, and why should startle at mea.
sure in fence of our rights, which our opponents
have successfully used to usurp them They are
bound by oath to vote for brother before any per-
son OF equal qualifications and to support his mill
tary and political preferment in opposition to anoth
err Is it not necessary in sefdefence to resist this
alarming conspiracy Can shut our eyes to the
fact that ambitious and designing men have attached
themselves to this institution to obtain that prefer
ment of which they were undeserving! When ii
shall become we'll established that Masonry (secret
socetes) has ceased afford its votaries superior ad
vantages for political objects, the great inducement
that now sustains the institution will be lost"
Such is the strong language employed by M. Fill
more in attacking the charitable and benevolent in.
stitution of Masonry-and, with n ost extraordn.
airy inconsistency, this same Mr. Fillmore is now the
member of secret political society, regularly in
Quoted under the auspices of dark lantern and pre-
sents himself TO the American people as the cand-
date of that party for the Presidency. We say moth
ing of the proscrptve and blightng principles of the
Know Nothing party, which claims ard exercises the
power of enforcing obligations that must conflict witt
the Constitution and laws. To prove the plablenes
of Mr. Fillmore, it is sufficient to point to the fac
that the once bitter assailant of Masonry, which has
nothing to do with politics. on account of its secrecy
is the head and leader of secret political party
that would destroy civil equality and religious liberty
Richmond Eng.