Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-10-13
nligrtllQnraag.
From the National Intolligencer.
Masonic Matters.

! NV h"S''iIi' i''NN ''NSH''. INl''
three vciy important convention, in Chica-;o
the proceedings of which uur special cores
poudcut has condensed into what follows, pre-
ierting to place the facts in form in which
they will hc more likely to be preserved than
if trusted to the chances Of hastily written
letters.
The tricniial sessions Of the Grand In
c0mpmcnt Of Knights Icmplar and of Gen
elal Grand Royal Arch Chapter were the lars
est and most enthusiastic meetings of these
bodies ever witnessed in this country. The
newly elected Grand Master Of knights Tenn
par, llou l.. i. French, is too we'll known
to roed any lamdation Of his Masonic merits;
certainly no man can show better title to the
honors conferred than the recipient. The
General Grand High Priest of the United
States, Albert &. Mackcy, of Charleston. :.
Carolina, las long enjoyed a wcll earned lit
erary name; III the department Of Masonic
jurisprudence lac is unequalIcd, and his au-
pfcn,acy as Masonic historian is attcStcl hy
the fact Of his bciug chosen 10 contributr the
article ON Frccnlasonry in the forthcoming
volume Of tie New American Ency lopcdil.
Foremost amongst the important measures
introduced at Chicago was II plan, originating
in the District of Columbia, for the establish
mcnt and endowment OF the American Ma
sonic Home for the widows and orphans Of
Frctmasons. This institution is to he loc;-
ted in the District OF Columbia, and the pro-
ject has been received with great favor. The
sum OF $1,000 is proposed as an cndow-
ment, and when il is considered HAT there
are over two hundred thousand affiliated Mas
ter Masuns in the United States. this amount
does not seem too Large for the Fraternity to
contribute to an object so peculiarly congo
nial with It's professions of charity. The in
cipicmt steps have been taken for al Urgaui-
zaticn Of tie ladies, similar to the Mount Yer
non Association, to procure the contemplated
endowment; Representatives Of several Grand
Lodgrs have pledged their aid and the good
work has been already set in motion in WASH
ington ly the subscription Of six hundred
dollars ly one gentleman. The details of the
plan will hereafter appear. II is only ncccs-
sary now to say that the project is in the
hands OF those who will not let it slumhcr on
fail. and when completed it will be as benc-
fetal to the National Capitol as it will he
crcditablr to the Frecmasous.
TRIENNIAL MASONIC CONGRESS.
For many years the question Of the propri-
ETY. of organizing II General Grand Lodge Of
America, to have jurisdiction over the Grand
and Subordinate "Bue" Master MasrnsD
sion in Masonic periodicals and Grand Lodge
Frcemasonry, Ike all other
institutions, is compelled tondapt It's govern /.
mental regulations to the ideas of the country
and age in which it has its existence and ar !
exceeding dread has been felt lest the organ (
ization Of a Federal or National Grand Lodge
should deprive the various State Grand
Lodges of their sovereignty and supremacy in
their various Jurisdictions. The happy cn /
lowing plan adopted at Chicago, which, as it
marks one of the most important events in
Masonic history, | send you in full, hopn.
you may be able to spare sufficient space for
its insertion. Appended to it is an impor-
tant but lengthy address.
In order to form closer union and in
crease of harmony among the Grand Lodges !
Of America to secure and cultivate fraternal .
relations with the Grand Lodges ofthc world; I
to extend our knowledge Of til" History, Work,
Symbolism Philosophy, and Jurisprudence
Oi Craft Masonry, in order that questions of |
law and jurisdiction may be equitauy and (
adjusted; that all agitated qucs-
tions of general Masonic interest may he con- .
sidcred and determined ior tie general bcnc-
fit of Masonry, we propose the following ar
ticles Of association: :
Article l. The Grand Lodges e North .
America d. hereby form "a North American /
Masonic Congress"
Art. 2. This Congress shah consist Of !
three representatives from each Grand Lodge \
in North America asserting hereto; repre-
seutatives to be selected as elch Of nc Grand ,
Lodges may severally determine.
Art. g. The officers shall tc Pres ilut, /
0 Senior and Junior Vice Presidents, and I
Secretary, who shall be elected at each ses-
sion, and except the Secretary the oifia'al du I
ties Of each shall cease with the close OF tie /
session.
Art. 4. There shall also be elected at cach