New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
FREEMAsoNs ON THE CRISIS.


Some very unusual proceedings have taken place
in the Grand Chapter of the State OF New-iork'
which convened in annual session at Albany last
week. II is the traditional policy aud written
law of the ancient order of Freemasons to stand
aoof from ak merely political questions, quietly
conforming to the Government under which they
live, and taking no part in its vicisstudes be-
yond that imperatively deyolying upon them as
loyal citizens. Nothing in their canons points TO
state of civil characterization, their obligations
extending only to a promise to uphold the powers
that be, whether republican, arlstocralic, or
mOnarcbical.
But the extraordinary condition Of Affairs at
this moment has impelled one of their law.
making bodies 10 departure from ordinary
usaQes. There are half a million Freemasons in
the United States, and their lodges are among
the earliest institutions in the rapidly -eAtendlng
settlements in the Territories. While Literally
distributed over the whole country, their relative
strength is much greater in the South thin IN
the North. With comparatively few exceptions,
the leading public men of the country are men,
hers of the order, and claim fellowship as such
with Washington Jackson, Clay, aud many OF the
departed giants of our history. That this hall
million of solid men and voters should feel them
selves constrained to take official cognzancc OF the
existing disturbances is quite natural, " iether IN
strict accordance with traditional history or not.
The present action is based upon recommends
tion from a Chapter in Rochester that the State
Grand Chapter open commune ltion with Masonic
bodies in other States on the subject OF our ma
tional difficulties This was referred to Com
mittee. who reported adversely They tay that
Masonry cannot rightfully interfere in the dis
cu.sion such correspondence would provokei but
they add that to be stoical or Indifferent would
| be impossible, and it wsuld be untrue to say
| that Masons are or can be Indifferent to their
country's condition; that love for the Union Of
the States and the Constitution ia cherished
sentiment Of the order, and the preservation Of
that Union sacred duty deyolving upon every
Mason They deprecate the possibility of frater-
nal strife, and call upon the Order to use every
honorable and legitimate influence 10 avert such
| a calamity. Their report, after declining to rec
oInmend the opening of correspondence, concludes
with the following resolutions, which were
adopted by the Grand Chapter:
"Rso,e That while depore the present unhappy oopd
ton Of our beloved country and while American citizens
would under all proper and becoming eIcumstancei pledge
our lives fortunes and sacred honor to maintain the
Union the Constitution and uphold the Government oftbe
United States and while should good and hs'ons
earnestly labor by tho Of all legitimate to avert that
gre. caaity-civil war, yet dect official action these
subject, might be .oonsued an improper Interference with
the forbidden subject Of politics the termeddpg with
matters Of State Grand Chapter refrain from further
action.
ROt,d That this Grand Chapter aHeconSey and earnest
recommend to the Masonic fraternity throughout the land In
this day Of national calamity and excited feeling that they
cherish 10 their hearts and eIempy In their lives the cardinal
principle, Masonry. viz Fraternity Brothery Love
Charity and thus by and example sootbe
aed feeling slay sectional luminosity and prejudice and
thereby bring legmsey and fairly the Masonic frasni
y with is moral and conservative principles and power
second the OF patriotism in seeking avert national dis
| fntegraiion nd calamity