The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-12
A Relic of AntI-Mnsonio Times.

The Easton, Pa, DdUy Free Press publishes a
suppressed letter wlitGen by Hon. Thaddeus
Stevens i'll lS36-about the time when the anti
Masonic excitement was still raging, and when
the troubled ghost of the murdered Morgan was
still wandering about the earth, unavenged.
The occasion that called forth this letter was
invitation of Committee OF the Franklin Lite
rarY Society of Lafayette College, Easton, re-
questing Mr. Stevens TO deliver an address on
the then approaching Fourth Of July, he having
been elected orator of the day. The invitation
was accepted, but few days afterwards the
Committee received letter of declination from
MIR. Stevens, on the ground that some one
closely connected with the institution had
written to him urging him to decline, "for fear
of producing political excitement This letter,
J it was asceTtamed, was from President Junkln,
but lhe Committee renewed their REQ uest, which
was again declined in letter of some length,
in the course OF which Mr.. Stevens spoke as
follows:-
II eel proud of my country and her nsttu-
tions when l see her young men-soon to be
her pride and her upport-possesslng aspira-
tions high and virtuous, as pure aud noble, as
Rome saw in her brightest days. / am not sur
prlsed that you should deem no one but an
insignificant, worthless political demagogue
capable of objecting to the choice which you
bad made OF an orator, merely on account of
political opinions. Academic halls should not
be disgraced with party politics. They are
/ nurseries OF statesmen but not of demagogues.
But you have not yet learned the malignity of
an institution bound together by unhalloWed
Oaths, which it has been my lot, and l have
deemed it my duty, to oppose; and whose un.
sparng persecution has been exercised towards
\ me on many former occasions. But had little
expected TO find its venomous hissings amid the
/ GOODNESS oil academic shades. But you will per-
ceive from the inclosed letter that have been
deemed unworthy TO address you merely because
/ am an Anti-Mason. The letter yon will see
is from your worthy President. But although
written by him, / have no doubt that it
was rendered necessary, if not dictated,
by the conduct of others, who control the
4 institution. 1t seems TO have been known
to the writer, as IL must have been to every dis
{ Greet person. that no alusion to party politics
would be INDUCED at your anniversary. But my
mere presence, however uneXceptionable might
I be my conduct, was deemed too obnoxious to be
allowed. This seems the more uDknd and ex-
4 traOrdinary when 1t is remembered that your
last orator (if my memory be correct) was
George NJ. Dallas, ESQ.,, high and active
Mason, yet no antI-Mason. have even thought
of objecting to his addressing you on account of
his Masonry. Literature, the arts, and sciences
are above party. He knows but little of their
value who attempts to mingle them together.
a send you the original letter, which you will
n please return when you are done with it. I'm
i less you forbid 1t, shall publish our cores
A pondence. that the public may see to what
extent the Lodge carries its maliguity. Allow
4 me to say that your independence and kindness
3 have impressed me with the lVeliest gratitude
and admiration. And shall feel proud if can
nossess your friendship now and hereafter
when you shall enter upon and guide the busy
scenes Of life."