The Yazoo Democrat., 1860-03-17
ryoR THE DEMOCRAT.

1 l. O. s. NJ.
| Ma. EDITOR ~ have been somewhat amused
ut the energizing influence that little pamphlet
purporting TO be an exposition Of the initiator,
ceremonies Of the " Sons Of Malta" has exer
cised on come Of my friends. 1t enters into th,
minutio of tho transactions in the Lodge Room
and the rites. as there stated, are disgustingl.
vulgar.
Now, sir, leaving ont of question the policy o
endeavoring to bring into disrepute such an 0rdel
as ours, and attempting to throw ridicule, anC
even odiuln, on some Of our most respectable citi
sens, by intimating that they belong to a.disre
spectacle organization are those gentlemen whC
are industriously circulating this catch penny
telling people that it was printed for gratuitou'
distribution. Notwithstanding tie price is stamped
upon it,) perfectly justifable in endorsing al
anonyu Gus publication, with the intent (whethel
audable or not, leave to casuists to determine,
to destroy an institution which has never done
them any harm, and whose members, 80 unjusty
assailed, have never yet thrown an obstacle in
the way Of their prosperity. And what is this
Order and what the grand purposes of its forma-
ton! Are we not, by our obligation, enjoned to
" feed the hungry clothe the naked, and endeavor
to alleviate suffering and distress wherever found?"
And, as an Order, have we not always been true
to this pedgei Will men, no matter what their
Ignorance who have been at all familiar with
the workings of our institution, have the hardi-
hood to say that it has done no good! That the
FIVE hundred thousand men in our own land, and
the millions throughout Europe, who are seaously
aiding US in the grand and laudable purposes
which constitute the basis of our existence, merely
meet to enact the disgusting ceremonies as set
forth in that filthy pamphlet? l might go back
and give the reader some idea of the benevolent
and humaniging influences exerted by the "Sons
of Malta" in its comparative infancy. | might
show that the great philanthropist, Howard made
his determination to devote himself and his for
tune to the cause Of human amelioratlon and had
his philanthropy quickered while kneeing at our
altar. | might recite instances where life has
been spared by tie recognition Of brother by
brother even in the heat of battle Where men,
in strange land, have received that attention in
cases of sickness, which restored them to health,
and in cases of misfortune, received that relief
which sent them on their way rejoicing"
And, is time honored institution like this to
be destroyed by few oyer-curious men, who
know nothing of its principles, and who are ac-
tive in circulating an odious re print Of the fooe
ries as exposed in 1854, of the i" Lone Star ofI
Texas" which was gotten up. in New Orleans by
n noted wag, as burlesque on the "Sons of
Malta" If any of those gentlemen ever applied
for membership in eur Order, and were rejected,
hey are certainly outragng all propriety by their
present course. And, as do not wish to tire
he reader, will close by assuring these young
5olomonS that, in my opinion, tho bible contains
ls many wholesome truths, and is as we'll calcu
ated to illumine their paths from "gloom to
glory" as their treasured pamphlet of theirs
A SON