The Placer herald., 1866-01-27
A MASONIC APPEAL.

I"o ueP'o'ao'e co"test iii our country, which
for the past four years has separated States
and people, inaugurated and carried on to
destroy the Federal Union of the United
States, is now ended. History enthroned 10
the majesty of coming judgment, with the
calmness Of retrospect, and the mpartiality
of truth, will determine On whom the re-,
sponsiblity rests Of this crime against rep.
resentative government
1t will award to sections and individuals
their meried condemnatiQn. The oraces of
truth and Justice, unimpaired by the passions
and prejudces Of men, will proclaim final
and unalterable decree.
Let us then leave to these attributes Of
Omniscence their divine duties. The civil
war is closed. Efforts of patriots and states,
men must now be directed 10 the restoration
of unity and concord among the people who
SO lately we're in hostile array against each
other. The things that are behind must no
longer occupy our thoughts, since they ey.
cite discord and embittered association. The
future must engage all our energies. The
mighty task of constituting reconciliation is
the duty now imposed upon US. The renew.
al Of the covenant of peace and love, must
be by rebaplism with the spirit Of charity in
the waters of Lethe.
Brethren Of the Order of Freemasons, we
have our duties to perform. Masons who
worship in the temple dedicated TO common
fraternity, our masonic minds and hearts
have been taught those sublime lessons there
only impaired.
AS our ancient and honorable Order has
tn1- in
government since this Is forbidden. its
members must be true to the teaching Of the
craft. We, everywhere throughout this
land, must be the first to show by our con
duct and conversation, by our example and
our precepts among men, that there is vital
vigor in Freemasonry.
We are united band, free and accepted
by and between ourselves Discord and
enmity-the evil passions, revenge, distrust,
hatred and malice, never yet have entered
the Masonic temple. If our faith is strong
in the landmarks; if we have known of the
doctrine that it lveth and abideth among US
at all times, in all perils, in every commotion,
in strife and war, let US now demonstrate
that we hold it as delivered to us by our
fathers. Our Order is consecrated to unity,
broherly love, and charity. To enlighten
mankind has been our mission since the ear
liest Of ages.
Before Christianity the temple Of the
craft was open. Its teachings were calling
before the days of the patrarchs, to COME
and receive the light. That light has never
yet gone out. The Jew, before the altar on
the sacred mount-the Parsee. in his adora
alton of the sun-tbe Mussulman, bowing
to the east in prayer-the Greek, before the
shrine of his divinity-the Christian, in de-
vout faith at the foot of the cross, alike, in
the days Of their generation, knew and un'
derstood the mystic language, "God said
let there be light, and there was light"
Brethren, we are a gathered in our tenn
pie, you assemble in yours; Masons 10 every
cline or country, are BY adoption and .ac-
ceptance in common fraternity, one united
and inseparable. There can be neither
schism, separation nor rebellion within or
among US. The white apron Of repen tance
and innocence is an emblem we all compre.
bend. 1t teaches US that the entrance into
the body Of hoies, can be had but in subor-
dinaton to the fundamental principles of the
Order. II admonshes US at all times, under
all circumstances, to renounce every act or
deed and the motives for either which can
destroy unity, harmony and charity.
Each member of our fraternity in the
several Grand Lodge Jurisdictions Of the
United States, is direcIy appealed to in bis
individual masonic character, to maintain in
all their integrity, the principles Of the
Order.
1t is his solemn duty. Obligations once
assumed, must ever be binding in all their
force, on the conscience of every Mason.-
We cannot, if we would, surrender or 81.
lence them. We unite the soul to the
Throne of Jehovah, and are as eternal as His
laws.
We invoke the serious consideration of the
craft to the most weighty responsibility to
which reference is made.
These obligations impose on Masons and
jurisdictions the recognition OF those rights
which are thus common to each and all, and
constitute the life power and virtue Of the
Masonic relation.
We believe it to be the duty Of ;Freema
sons to regard the craft in the jurisdiction OF
the States Of the South, as brethren. 1t is
theirs to recognize the power Of the unlver-
sal Masonic landmark. Thus the reunion o
fraternal association can be established, and
this example before the people will be a
demonstration Of the living power Of oul
venerable institution.
Brethren of the Sunny South, we believe
your faith and sincerity in the landmarks are
equal to ours. We claim no right to sit ln
judgment over ,yQur fidelity or your obed
ence to the landmarks-or your perpetu,ty
We recall from the last four years neithel
witness or testimony. The light in the Ma
sonic Temple casts no shadow. T..
1t is ever at the meridian when we lool
at each others hearts, and take each other
hand in brotherly love. But while we arr
all Masons we are also fellow countrymen
We are citizens Of States whose prosperity
| oonuooto1 uith this Ini0n