, 1862-09-06
The Masonic Argument Against
Treason

masonic fraternity E1VMlu6 ont VI Uu1 pIeeoAs |
civil war, which never has received an extend
Ell answer, 1t is wbether the masons Of the
North, looking to the yows aud obligations
AMI principles Of the fraternity, are bound to
treat the rebels Of the South as rebels or ns
masonic brethren? In other words, is there
any inconsistency between masonry and loyal
ty? While many maintain that there is,
and that good Mason cannot be at the
same time q thorough patriot, the better
opinion seems to be that. there Is not,
and that rebel is none the less rebel, and
none the less entitled to batred because he
happens to be a mason. This is fully lri;usd
fu . late number of the Iiowe7, By that dis
tipcuisbed mason, H. 6. Reynolds, The sub
stance Of 1t will be found below, and we com-
mend it to the careful peTusal Of the craft ia
Illinois:
Treason stis the highest evil crime which
any nun can possibly commit" 10 prevent
lis commission the English laws provt.e that
the criminal sh4ll be drawn to the gliloEs, |
and not he carried or walk that he be hanged
b. the neck, and cut down alive; that his en- |
trails be taken out and burned while ne Is vet
alive; and his head be cut Off, and bis body |
dispoeal TIE traitor is morally responsible
before God and the world fer all the cons:-
oue,ces which follow his treason; ev=ry life
lost is, on his part, murder; every crime
commit. il char cable to him. whether it be
fp CONSEQUENCE of, or in prosecution OF tue
war. ali the kufr-riee-all the destruction
ali The weeping and mourniog-all the quar-.
rels, heaEtturuings, troubles, both private aud
public on eishsr side, preceding or attending
| upon d rebellion, in6urrec'ion or W2r, afe
| chargeable TO the traitor. The more taeEe are
| engaged in the treason, the gTaater and m>re
! aggravated th, crime, for numbers impty force
! power and ability to carry evil Intentions into
effect.
treason, TOR position carries influence with II.
The greater ltr learning, nowledge o. exp
r;encr Of tle traitor the more he is abandoned
aud c1lipable, for any and all Of these imply
| ability for mischief in q wicked cause 10
plot and conzpirfe against the government
while epios;nm It's hono7s and e;lou'ntnts, Is
evidence Of malignant aud abandoned heart,
as well as corrupt and evil designs. To know
that such plots OF conspiracfes are forming,
OF, in fact, exist, or that they are about to
ripen into rebellion, insurreetion, invasion OF
nlutiny, and give 10 information thereof, is
tFtasopable; 10 know that lnsldious, artf1l
ard cunning Geyicrs are being used to entrAp
ard ersnare ignorant, weil-lncanln5 or harsn.
. less 1uen into tue support oi auy treaionaolc
plots, practices IT consiHraelss, anu not use
IL lawful 1neans 10 expose and punish IT,
traitors, or, having power, and not using It tf
suppress and punish, is treasonaois, aud in
plies either coward =, or completely aud sym
!, pathy with the traitors; and having sac'
:. knowledge, and BOT using it to expose or sap
:. press the treason or crime, the possess
u thereof because an ACCESSORY before the fact
= ard thereby principal, and is equally guilt
!. with tile piotter, cunsp!rator or criminal. an
L. equally responsible with them for all the coI
stuuerets follow ing their ersmts.
The Declaration Of Independence ass
10 that governments should not be changed to
In light and transient causes; the government {
" the United States, founded upon tree en-
y unequa'led constttution-a eons:ltu 10
Il, f1amed by delegates from all the States, M
to adopted bg each Of them. making us one p='
ty ple, cre nati:n, and one gov1rnnent-h!
"a protected all its citizens in every land 40
Id cline, abrold as well as at home Under II
as folds Of The old tiag, every American tfeem
Is. hss enjoyed the highes form OF rat1onal II
tu erty. and prote ection III person, property an
e. opinions. To plot and con5pire in cool bloc
~ -delibcrately-with malice aforethought.
IL overthrow such a state Of society, and
4, plunge whole nation mo war, lameneatle
he and nladness, is q NOR: despleao!e, more iot
to nous and more diabollcal than tn. world,
"a al its ennals and history, has ever yet behel
Ii Eleven States have plunged into rebellio
lie truu, which but one, as yet, Is partially r
ed cued; two have been. and one Of them is stl
the scere OF terrible aud ,nurdsrous insure
tion, Y;hilt still! another is the prey OF Il lie
-, seditions, forays and inTasions-
gu Fer all this there is no excuse WhateV
l'h with any one having honest inteations, a
N in a position to be rightly ln1oraled, anu
eW QUE can contemplate our present conaisl
'ns with favor, but the traitor, the tyrant and I
~. despot.
wn or trust, either civil or military; every mas
the Of |, arnipg, knowledge os sxpsrleuec, VI
'st- hts plotted, conspiFtd or takensup arms,
red slS has aided, abettrd, assisted, advised
ing encouraged Others in doipg SO, to oVerthr
AND this government, to suhvrrt, to resist lis !:
1ey fnl authority, or to revolt from their Alle
;o- ;oi~ suce to the government, Is oonoly gnli,y
ing treasop, and doubiy worthy oi the Irai's
;"o Gotm; tor before any man can De mads
our son, he must pledge bis honor, that he 7
DDS, conform 10 the usages aud customs OF the
;2s. tcr1ity, and part Of the first ch arge glvet
ne axfnnarv maaSn l7 IN s5Ss tie dissh.rss A Of
L5tn civil duties, by never proposing or cou
napcirg any act which may have tendenc
subyerI the peace and good order OF soc'e
here to pay obedience to the laws under wi
into protection he lives, anu pY III
ant Losing sight OF the allegiance aue 10
the c0ubfr{.'' And upon arriving
4, as the dignity Of a master mason, he is, IN
it OF most solemn manner reminded that duty
e 81 honor alike bind him to be faithful to e
trust, and 10 support the dignity of his c
ac;er on all occasions. Every master
lodge is required, among the very first ehal
,rces 40 be peacea5le citizen, aad cheerful
are CONFORM " ,he .A"e -. .nS S.,,a -as,,.t ~
the ne fesloes paS ~ - "a cancarn,
At. plots and coDspiracies against govcrn1
49, but patiently to submit to the decisions Q
el supreme legislature
ssf. 1.-THE Free Afason's Magazine lays
II re- this principle:
rinth tour order is based upon princ1ples u
hered nevolenre, OF broiherly love, OF loyalty
slges of obedience to the powers that be-
long man who is false TO any ol sAeSe gteat "
luil plcs, can lay any claim TO the title OF ma:
FTF. fNo NL1tih1
similar ground, but cannot turn to Ii
in the Iicle. ',
.as1ed Tie old charges arc equally explicit
rs Of mason shall be peaceabte citizen; ne'
foats, be concerned in plots or conspirrcies at
host the peace and welfare OF Inc ha'loh, ~
[sidss. have unGutifu1ly to the inferior nasls'l
wamp that he shal! checrfu1ly conform to ever,
rui ii fnl authority; uphold on every occasio
K and Interest of III. con Iauuity, md z:ilousl.
h and mote the Interest Of his own country.
,efore, The |oice Of Masonry takes quite q d'f
rather view, and quotes from the old charges {
1on OF lows: ssIt q brother should be q re 5ersa
occu- the State, he Is not conntenanced in his
g the lion, however he may be pi led as m IN
houses man. And if convicted OF no other
me- the though the loyal oiotherhooo must ana
nd Its to dlsown bis rebellion, and give no uu
quiet or pulitical jealousy to the government
time being, they cannot eXoel him fro
when Lodge, and his relations to it remain
ed SOL feasible"
lions ? application 10 the state of things no =
1ufsing ing In this country, and 1t Is utterly
L thus sietenr with the charges and lnJuncuons
rnt be. uuo1ed, The entire tendency OF 1t,
t when to the present condition Of the countr,
must be excuse eecessionism, mollity hatred
,ot sore son, lessen ones attachment to law, tG
,ho left to country, and to create feeling OF
omfort. between loyal men aud traitors; the te
pperty. of it is to tempt men to swerVe tro
re- army ftalty and allegiance to their country,
to hang violate their oaths by extending nntlm
assistance and protection to traitors i
by-word Said charge was applicable to the
mouth, thiuws that existed when it was adop
Every society 8as ia an unsettled state, CONT
long our were frequent, and rebel!ion6 and II
Busll is tions were the order Of the day, and ig
> "Mr. w"s then the rule and not the except
rates of that charge Is to be considered the ru
hunt uu then auother old rn1e might as we'll
you lind that the king should appolut tAe Srana
of Rm;- The editor OF the lo'ce q 4ltso'
officers oracnlafly states as dn dr'ona, tnat -
degrade KNOWS no flag save the squire and co
q pFoml- This proposition fsa complete solcc
our ot1i- nowhere In masonry are the square
c whole pass mentioned together, as far as "
le would ct,lls ct, except il conjunction with t
not dis Writings. ...
neral. il Trey have their synabolicl meat
what is application, hut the use to which they
put is to lower the flag OF the country
= bec3me yate them above It; Is, emphaticat1y
ion army ordinate all civil and political govern
8 Of both that Of mas onry, Whereas, the first
hem, and every man is TO his God, and the S
~ hr,1-an bie roi1rtry and to which m3s0nS 2