The true Democrat., 1856-11-18

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 If such has been the durability of Masonry, so different from all other human institutions, for its most fanatical followers (and Masonry has its fanatics) have never pretended that it was anything else than a mere human institu- tion-there must be at least some great truths as durable as the world, to which it owes it's earthly immortality.
 There are, as we contend, forming the foun- datlons of our society, certain great fundamen- tai truths which are its sources of life, and to them 1t owes its durability, namely-the equali- ty of man-the dignity of labor-and brothery love. We appeal to our past for the truth of our assertion.
 l. Brothcrly Love-
 Nations and peoples boast of their glorious deeds in war-of the carnage they have caused -the devastation they have spread. There is no blood on the escutcheon of Masonry.
 The Mason in Rome might have, as a Mason, been awarded the olive wreath, for having sav- ed the life of fellow citizen: he never could have, as Mason, been awarded thu laurel crown for having shed the blood of his fellow man. The battle fields of Masonry are the haunts of misery-there to war agains; Restitution and woe Its glorics are the smiles of the widow and the fatherlcss whom it has made glad. Its rewards, the kind greetings of its fellow men, and the possession of happy conscience. Can the wealth of Ormus or of Ind compare with these
 How often has the entrance of Mason in the hovel of misery made things look as bright and cheering as the sun ray piercing the thun- der cloud before darkening the heavens!
 These are our trophies, and with these are and in the words of the old Latin, we cal truly say: 1 am man and all things touching mankind are of interest to me-
 We enter into the feelings of others-we 1 participate in their sorrows, and we share in their joys-and many widow and orphan rise up and call us blessed.
 These are the sacrifices we fer on our altars; and we think that they will prove as sweet savory incense to our Father
 2d. The equality of msn. Masonry knows no distinction of persons. To her all are alike The peer and the peasant, all are men; and in her councils all distinction of rank are forgot ten, and no true Mason can exclaim in his lodge, as the proud Pharisec of old" God 1 thank thee that am not as other men are,, etc.
 B.. Dignity of labor
 Masonry formerly operative, it is now specu- lative, as understood by our order But many of our greatest worthies were operative Masons. | But speculative Masons-that Is modern Ma sons, pay the same respect to operative Mason- " as was formerly done by our order. We make use of the same instruments in specula- tive Masonry to form the guide and rule of our conduct as operative Masons use to guide and rule their labors-ttus paying homage to the great dignity of labor Labor,' word of so momentous importance to the human family, and that awakens such awful "reminiscences and thoughts iu the human mind Labor, that was entaied by God on our first parents and their decendants forever, when he drove them from Paradise, of which they were unworthy posSessors--and yet by his command temper ed his justice with mercv.' Labor, that nerves the arm of the mechanic at his labors as he sees thereby his smiling well-clad wife and his happy children and blesses himself with their smiles. Labor, that presents to the merchant, as in mirror of the future, his well laden argoses and his rich possessions. Labor, that arms the pale student with almost beyond mortal endurance, as he sees beckoning \ him Nrti oI ,I that showers upon the statesman the applause and almost worship of his countrymen. 1 Truly did our Father temper his justice with mercy, when he commanded that by the sweat of our brows we should earn our daily bread. 'Tis labor guards us against the snares of the world, vice and immortality, and makes us good husbands and happy brothers, and opens to us the gate of that kingdom, where there will be no more use for trowel plumbline and the sound of the gavel will be heard no more.
 Thus Masonry has always maintaned--g truths which have been dreamed of by all na- tions in past times, even in those days when 'the gown was learning and the sword was law' and the people served in the oxen's stead.' | again was the loud vail heard of nations in their agony, as effort after effort by the people te ascend in the social scale was crushed and deluged in their blood, until at last sprang forth from the west as Venus from the oceans foam our own glorious nation, whose banner of the stars and stripes, wherever it floats pro- claims to the nations the great magic words of brotherly love equality dignity of labor. These, we think are the great bases of Ma sorry
 Again, Masonry is universal. It embraces all religions and creeds It merely requires the acknowledgment of the existence of that Supreme Being in whom we move, live, and have our being. And can this be considered defect?
 Who Is there that Is man, Gf it is possible there is such an one who denies the existence of a God,) but sorrows that he does? Who Ii, there that gazes upon the majesty of the hea- vens-that notices the regularity of the seasons, or stronger still, who knowing that he is above the brute that perishes, but what would hope if he does not believe that there is a God.
 The Mason has no skepticsm. He leaves to each man his own peculiar form of worship, but he demands that he shall bow in humble adoration to Him who ruleth the world.
 Masonry, again, forbids the introduction in- to lodges both of political and religious sub- Ijects. And who is there that weared with the fierce partisan disputes that rage, that would not be glad to escape into and bless the wisdom of the early fathers of a society who would forever banish those topics of discussion, where oft reason ceases, and passions rule."
 Beauty in all ages has commanded the respect and love of man-oft though as the glory of their own fame as jewel indeed serving to en-