Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-11-03
Edward Everett Denounces

me Richmond Enquirer has brought to ilght published letter written during the antl-Masonic mania by Edward Everett. the present know-nothine candidate for tbe vice-Presidency. These are the terms Mr Everett uses In relation to the Masonic in stitution. --'
 "lth respect to this institution, I came 'o the conclusion, and expressed 1t repeat eoiy Tn pubic, several years before the present. controversy arose, that sts preten- seons 70 antiquity were unfouaded. It is prooaoly the growth of the last century ana a half. It has frequently been admit tea 10 me by respectable members of the society that 1t IS useless; and that as such it had better be abolished Its only ayowed oIbJects--chality and kncwledge-can be pelter promoted by public associations. If It DC useless 't must 6e acorse than useless; because It occasions a waste of all the time, attention, and money necessary to keep up It's organization. The. titular and cere- moniai parts of it, as displayed before the PoDiic, appear to me strangely at variance with good taste, particularly in republican community. -Dt
 DoG the great objections to such institu- tons lie much deeper. All secret societies are dangerous in proportion to the extent oi thelr organization and the number of their members. A secret society so widely dlifused and connected as this nuts n vast powsetzs capable, of At.safyrRst dangerous abuse, ,l' lneo lands irresponsible 10 the public. iiie secret ceremonies and rites, as they nave been disclosed, appear to me, on many grounds highly objectionable; and the oaths and obligations are open to the most weIghty exceptions, on the score of reiiglon. morals, and good sense. I am aware that some of these oaths must have been taken by many great and good men. 1h's does not alter Meir character: and as I cannot believe that they could have stood aay before the public sentiment, had they been openly administered and received, it IS not the least objection to the institution Chat as secret society whose rites and ceremonies must be substantially known beforehand, great and good men haue heen surpr'sea into giuing t c seeming sa,3ciioa.
 The force of these objections is immea- surably increased by the fact, that within lew years the institution has been aetu- ally made the instrument of the greatest the greatest because irreparable) evil which can be inflicted on society-tIe des4 tract'o" efthe Ate ef fcitizens-followed up by systematic and successful attempts to screen the murderers, in defiance of the most vigorous efforts, on the part of the tribunals, to bring them to justice
 W hat Mason who cherishes sef.respect as man, and who respects the fraternity of which Washington was an illustrious member, will vote for candidate who thus planted himself amongst its malifant llbelers? That MT Everett's criticism of the Masonic institution evinces his igno- rance ot it's nature matters not The main fact remains, that whilst ignorant of Ma sorry, he rejoined its assaults, retaied their islanders, and endorsed their calumnies Aninstitution which is to day as benefcent- ly active as ever, he scouts as useless; and. worse still, hold it up to public exercation as enjoining immoral and unlawful obliga- tons, and as actually sharing the guilt of murderers! Who among Masons will vote for Edward Everett, caluminator of Ma sorry? -f