The mountain Democrat., 1865-11-18
THE MOUNTAIN DEMOCRAT.
masoAio Hs-srs 20 Albert Pine.

Masonic AOESFe 90 AADeFc FIRE.
On the 9th Of October, according to
the World, Albert Pike, late General IN
the CODisdetste army, was presented by
the MssUhic Lyeepm Of New York with
"the decoration Of honor Of Thirty.third
Dsgrse Mason, ''in acknowledgement OF the
eminent services rendered by him to the
Mystic brotherhood. The World says:
In accepting the gin. Gen. Pike return
ed htS thanks to the Lyceum for such =
token OF their kind and fraternal regard
for him. The giR wis al the more &C.
ceptable 10 view Of the history Of the past
four year& Four years Of war between
the sections had naturally produced much
estrangement between those who had
formerly been friends OF long Standing
He would. however, testify to the fSct
that Masonry, during the war, was true
to its sacred principles II W1S aei0s-
factor on the 6eld of battle and in the
camp. Now that the war Was over, he
would say that not only Masons in the
South, but the white people are with
scarcely ssn exception, for the old flag,
the only Gag. and Ihe true flag Of the
Union and the whole country. That the
people Of the South committed an error
he wOuld admit, but the great mass of
that people acted in accordance with their
honest convictions and with what they
considered their duty. The old flag was
happily Again the flag Of our whole coun.
<SS. lie loved that flag and hoped it
would ever remain aloft. lie hoped that
not only by Masons, but by all classes of
the Northern people generosity would be
extended to the Southern people The
war WAS over and the South was obliged
to succumb. Peace had returned to the
country. and it was necessary that this
peace should be one Of fraternity. With
out forgiveness on the part OF the North,
there could be no peace but in name
Many lessons had becn taught by the war.
The terrible struggle had opened the eyes
Of the people to the fact that the country
had been ruled too long by mere poiti
clans. In conclusion he would saw that
the Southern people accepted the issue Of
the war, and everything would go on we'll
il the people Of the North would be gene
rouS to those who, having been whipped,
are willing TO live under the old flag and
form part Of the great nation once more.
AT the conclusion Of the Generals re.
marks the company sat down to cola
lion, which having been disposed of, 10
SiAh Carpenter, who presided at the les.
tive board, proposed the FIRST regular toast
Of the evening, as follows:
"The President Of the United States"
This vas responded 70 by . round Of
nine cheers, in which Gen. Pike heartily
Joined.
The nexa toast was "The Supreme
Council Of the United SlatsA," which was
followed by 1.-The Supreme Council Of the
Southern Jurisdiction"
To the latter General Pike responded.
He said that the MaSons Of the South new.
or forgot their fraternal duties towards
their Northern brethren. although they
were arrayed in arms against each other.
lie hsd seen attributed 20 Howell Cobb
certuin expressions or acts Of Ehicn he
could hardly believe him guilty ILbow.
cver, It was true that Howell Cobb had
been guilty in any wsy Of i'll treatment
towsrd the Andersonville prisoners, no.
manity might forgive him, but Masonry
could not. Applause. In regard TO
John C. Breckenridge he would say that,
his notive in remaining in the Senate df.
ter me commencement Of the work of se-
ccssion Was 10 see if inducements would
he held Out 10 South Carolina to return
TO the Union Breckinridge said he must
20 with the people who had honnred him
with nomination for the Prcsdency.-
No matter what the North might say of
Breckinridge, he was high-toned gentle.
man, and in fighting against the Union
did what he fch to be his duty. The
Southern people would never look upon
themselves As traitors and rebels. They
lnve been beaten and ac&now ledge the
fact, and ask that peare-true peace
may be restored to the land. The North
and South must set pe1ulance aside, and
revenge must mot be INDUCED in.
In regard Ia the question Of negrn suf
ftage he wonld say that il would he time
enough for the negro to exercise. the cleo.
tive franchise when he should become fit
TO vote. Our Government could not be
tvrued into . despotism more quickly
than by giving the ballot to those who
don't know how TO use It. (Checrs.
The right to vote properly belongs to
intelligent men men who know what vo
ting means and who they are voting for
The POLITICIANS were as lively as ever, and
il they we're permitted to do as they
might please, there would be no republic
here ten years hence. The people Of the
North could save the country. and it was
the duty of the people TO be magnani.
nous to a beaten foe. lie hoped that
peace would be established in the hearts
Of all citizens as we'll as on the field Of
battle.
In conclusion, Gen. Pike said: I give
You as toast, THE army and the officers
and soldiers Of the United States in the
late war"
"THE FREEDMEN, FROM all the cities
and larger towns Of the South comes sub.