Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-03-29


frantic orgies, srhere, they often told the
heart thrilling story of their valorous deeds
in war, and, where, their light feet press
cd the unploughed earth in frighful dance,
fields now wave with yellow grain, cities
and villages, and stately domes, stand ded-
icatod 70 religious, political, or intellectual
IL erovement that we owe nothing and
that our burthens are light, and We con-
tasted and happy"
This is fair specimen of all his mes.
sages and other literary productions. Be-
fore the close of his term Of Governor he
quarrcled with the Legislature, and with
almost every one he had any thing to do
with. Afterwards growing more misan-
thropic and dissatisfied with the world, he
become partially insane and died many
years ago.
GEN. RoDT. HANNA
There was another old citizcB Of Brook
Vile, and held various Offices in franklin
Co. We believe he lived in the House now
occupied by DIR. Berry, and it is probable
he built it. And here permit us to say
that there is no man in your County who
has more facts, relative to your early his
tcrv. treasured up in his ever reteniive
memory than DE-. Berry. Mr. Hanua
was q thoroughly practical man. Not
gifted as an orator, or a writer, but able to
bring into use all the talent he had lie
discharged faithfully the duties of the
various offices in franklin County and
under the National Government. Soon
after the location cfthe Capital at Indian
apolis in 1921, he removed to that City,
and was removed from the Land Office at
the incoming. of General Jackson's admin
istration.
Instead Of parading before you the wise
acts of his life, of which he had many.
We now propose to give you one Of bis
foolish ones. In 1851, he was candidate
for Congress in the indianapolis District,
and in a speech at ShelbyvilIe he pitched
into Masonry in the following style. We
insert it not, at this day, as stab at
Masonry, for we trust that institution has,
By its conduct since, vindicated its charac-
ter; but as some of the sayings and doings
of the original citizens of Brookville:
al now, fellow. citizens, come to the all
searching subject CT Masonry and Anti
masonry, which has become subject of
discussion in several parts of this Congress
sional district. And before proceed, allow
me to remark, that there are some Masons
with whom / am fond to live, and for
whom | would almost dare to die but in
making that admission, truth and justice
to my own feelings requires me to say, that
| have the most imrlacable dislike to the
institution. l believe it to be corrupt and
corrupting, and if persisted in must SUBJ
vert the government. Then entertaining
those opinions as DO Of the bancful in
auence of the institution, opinions which
| have entertained and publicly expressed
for fifteen years past, | should be traitor
to my country were to say one word in
its defence. The people of thirteen states
Of the Union are now engaged in en-
deavors to'purge their government of the
corrupt influence of Masonry, while the
people of Indiana, no less anxious for the
preservation of their government and the
publication of its institutions than those
of their sister states, are cut off
from the means Of information by the in
huence which masonry exertss over the
press. There are 20 printing presses in
Indiana, and except now and then sneer
at those who have independence sufficient
to speak out on the subject, they have Tex
eept one) been as silent as the grave on
every occurrence that tends to the expo
sure of the corrupt influence of masonry
on the government Well may the great
body Of the people be alarmed when Sc
cret society can exercise an influence suf-
fcient to gag and mtzSle the press. Hon
esty needs not the guards of secrecy, but in
EQUITY and design seek the covert Of the
night. There is knot of masons at
every seat Of justice in the state where
the counties have been long enough or
ganized, who have their corresponding Sc
cretarics, and | am aware that the story of
my having mounted masonry as hobby
will be briskly circulated besides all my
opponents are inasons with whom I am
who will not be slow to incul-
cate the same idea, although the reverse
is the fact. So far from making it hobby
on my part it has been made hobby
against me, and now | must lie excused
if l snatch the reins and ride. Since the
fame of opposition has been kindlcd
around me, have no expedient left but
that of the prairie huntsman, to kindle fire
at my feet and fire against Ere until the
combustible matter shall ali be consumed,
then hope public opinion will enable
me to march out unhurt. Ny opponents
who are present arc all masons. Governor
Jennings has been grand master t: he is
one of those have delighted to honor
his grey hairs and past services adronish
me to say one word more about him. Mr.
Howk has recently been grand master