New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-07-11

FUMBER LIGHTWEIGHT.

NUMBER EIGHTY EIGHT.
At one Of the corners Of the intersection Of
f Dumaine and St Claude streets, in what was
formerly denominated the suburb IRENE in
the Second District, will be seen an oblone
brick plastered building, much in the shape
of Noah's ark, standing, as it were, in The
midst Of q considerable space of ground, all
surrounded by .. thick vegetation of trees and
strawberries is the ancient Free Mason's
lodge, called the Perseverance Although not
one Of the most ancient Of these social institu-
tions for the Polar Star and the Perfect Union
still existing, had been established anterior to
its erection, still this fraternal association may
be proud Of its title, which ii has borne since
its origin in 1909, under the severest trials
and hardships that have befAllen our metropo-
lis and population in general during these
latter years. Long having been an active
member Of this estimable institution, the pre-
/ sent writer can speak Of its various trials and
vieissitudes with full knowledge and expert
ence, whilst at the same time he has had coca
sion by his former official station in that hal
lowed membership to acquire a general view
OF nearly all the ancient relations between the
| several lodges that in former times displayed
their activity in the Masonic circles upon our
lower delta ground.
Thus circumstaneed and without violating
or infringing upon any of the essential secrets
| of the order, it may still be permitted us for
the benefit Of thepublic in general, as well as
for the fraternai association in particular, to
lay down in these numbers some of cur obser-
vations and admonitions. No doubt there
have been times in our city and country, as
well as in other chimes, when the Masonic fra
ternity would not feel thai vivid interest ia
adhering to its old landmarks, or in cultiyat
ing the royal art by an assiduous observance
Of its accustomed works and rites, as upon
other times and upon other occasions. Butf
as every thing upon ourgsublunary globe is
transient, passing and transforming from one
epoch to another, SO also it will be found that
after long lapses of apparent lethargy and |
comparative inactivity the times and circunl- |
stances of a people and a country win again
call up or stimulate what we would denomiL /
nate a revival of ancient institutions or almost
forgotten memberships and such times, we
think, have now come upon us and will again
require the aid, moral as well as physical of
the Masonic fraternity IN reestabhshiny the t
foundation stones of a well regulated moral
society. This then being the object of our
present research let US see what in former
times the lodges have done for New Orleans
society, for New Orleans development.
Such suecint review will indicate at once
what this all powerful organization may con-
tribute to bring about for the benefit of the
present times. The beautiful locality Of the L
Did Polar Star Lodge, near Rampant street!
between Love and Goodchildren streets, still
preserves to the present day, by its fine
orchard, gardens and new brick building, the
memory of many active and useful works since
is establishment in the year 1888 So, also,
nay be cited the Perfect Union lodge, situa-
ed on Rampant street, between Dumaine and :
It. Philippe, which dates it's origin to the !
ines of Baron CarondeIet in 1894. These h
hree lodges, the Perseverance, Polar Star and /
'erfect Vnien, as the most ancient New Or Z
cans Masonic institutions, may well claim pri- t
rity to all the other fraternal associations /
xisting at this date in ON community we 7
re weH aware that, at this present day 4 | q
lumber of new Masonic lodges are in fall
'tivity among our New Orleans community
ut pursuing the staked out course in these A
lmbers, We shall more particularly confne a
Tselyes to theseaneient fraternities As such, d
is incumbent upon us to make mention that K
1925, when General Lafayette, the great Ii
of our immortal Washington, both b
brethren Of the Masonic order Ia
sited our lodges his first and greatest en- a
FAVOR was to impress upon our fraternity the il
lfti8ation Of the true spirit Of brotheriy love n
unity of purpose, and the constant pursujtt ii
the improvement Of the social state. d
These brothery ineuleations would noI
oubt be just as proper at the present time. II
ian when then they were addressed from the
outh of so universally esteemed member ct
enefal Jackson, also d BRIGHT isbt ofE al
asonry, at that time had not vet been nro- Pr
oted 10 thatpresdenfial station, to which tbo te
rtiality OF his counhymen intended 10 e1a- or
te him5 and between him and the great IN IN
ator Of the West Harry Clay then idol 10
,dpbyaa greatl party, the eompatitionsyas a of
eat still our brother Lafayette Judging e oa
htly ofssthes freedom of popular masses, ma
add -by,no manner Of means be induced to 9e
Ike any public declaration in order to in :
ence the choice of the parties Hence his lad
were always in that direction, atl or
ing the cultivation s6F fraternal feelings trl
ong all our, then politically much divided, F Fp,
,ulation. No greater example then can be bat
luced Of the very essential services rem PIE
ed by the then existing fraternal associa- rigl
IS, than this mutnsl aa1uisscepee. in this owe
ice of moderation and subduing Of all ex- T
slye partisan spirit because, although in ging
ubiics these divisions cannot be avoided, ma EaI
must they not be carried beyond certaip For