The weekly Butte record. [volume] (Oroville [Calif.]) 1866-1887, 1867-03-02

POLITICAL INTOLERANCE. IN THE SoUTH.-The
following just article from the Masonic Tro,cel,
published at Springfield, Illinois, shows to what
extent the spirit of political intolerance is carried
in the South, not only governing social and bus
ness relations but dissolvng the close frater
nal bonds of an Order whose ties proverbialy
strong and sacred:
The most noted case of steadfast adhesion to the
OF the Union during the late lamentable civil
war was that of the illustrious philosopher Albert
G.. Mackey. NJ. D., of Charleston. $. C.. Through
out the entire contest ne remained at his post look
ing ont and caring for sick and wounded Masons of
both parties, until both means and credit were eX
hausted. Several Masons in Illinois have testified
TO US in person of the goodness and perseverance
Of Brother Mackey. Whom discouragements
could overcome, and who evered in his mission
of physician comforter and amennensis. Others
have told similar tales. until our brother is every
where regarded as true Good Samaritan During
all this time and until now. he has held his posi-
tion Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge OF
South Carolina. No Grand Lodge has ever more
thoroughly excluded poltlcal and sectaran 1nfu-
from its councils than the Grand Lodge of the
Palmetto State. Yet in spite of the efforts and
sympathy of Governor Orr Grand Master, and all
OF the grand officers, DR.. Mackey has been reject
ed from the Office OF Grand Secretary for the
ed reason that he is Union man No such rea-
sons have influenced a single Grand Lodge in
knowledge before. Men of variant political views
I'LL the offices IN all our Northern Masonic bodle>
The venerated O Sullivan, an outspoken Union
man. was elected every time. The question has
not in the least affected the Grand Secretaries OF
kentucky Tennessee. These three brethren
O'Sullivan, McCorcle and Fuller. holding yarian
views have attended to their Masonic dutes-they
cared far the sick and dying Mason for the Masons
wounded son ; they cheered the widow and com
forted the mother without regard 10 locality class
condition political views, and their brethren
have said Well done. good and faithful servants.
Mackey-always kind always loving and tender.
always charitable-persisted i'll doing good without
giving otfence-with eloquence and talent inferior
10 none-has been selected ss victim. His
oesSor inthe Grand Chapter of South Carolina, in
February, 1851, said that if wounded Yankee sol
dier, if he a Mason. should make any
Masonic appeal to him, no matter how strong, on
the field Of battle. he would cut him down. And
this same man, with others, appealed to their bre
thren in the North for aid fer their dismantled
lodges in the city of Columbia, and got considera-
bic. The question is not whether Democrat Re
publican, Unionist, Conservative. or a Southern
Rights man may may not he elected to Masonic
office. Admit the possibility of such question,
and Masonry viii become all that its enemies de-
sire. Masonic attaiumen.s- good character and bu-
siness qualifications are the only considerations
which should enter into Masonic elections Other
considerations should never be thought Of, much
less mentioned and acted on.