The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-07-17
aegi @eadiua.
An Eloaueut Address.

beautiful address at the Academy OF Mu-
sic, New York, during an entertainment
for the benefit of the destitute in the
South; given Under the auspices of the
Masonic fraternity of that city. The
programme consisted of music by distin-
guished artists, in connection with this
address, which wefnd in the last number
of the National FreemaSon:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Such is the
ordinary language of courtesy when q
speaker presents himself before mixed
assemblage on public occasions and hav-
ing now dismissed that phrase, permit me
to address the gentlemen present by an
application more endearing, and which in
it's present connection falls from my lips
for the first time in my life, sBrother Ma
sons" And 1 must say, so tar, as tho
qualification of mere personal feeling is
concerned, wish I could add something
more beautiful and graceful, and say isis
ter Masons." (Applause.) l have been
informed by gentlemen connected with
this most venerable and honored institu-
ton that it has not for ever been diveSted
OF tulS grace III iIo VI S'ti.iHe't'oii'
women have at least in its history adorn-
ed it by being admitted as members. One;
Lady Walworth, the daughter of Lord
Doneraile, at whose fathers house in
Dublin meeting Of Masons was held, OF
which Order he was member: There
had been some repairs done to the house,
and little unfinished space was left; to
which the ingenuity of woman might be
applied with the aid of that familiar imple-
ment, .scissors-(applause with which
she managed to make Il little hole through
which she could get limited view of the
ceremonies. She was, however, detected.
1t has never been known up, to this time
what prompted the act, though some
slanderous historian suggested it might
be curiosity. (Laughtcr) But no rea-
sonable person will say there was any
warrant for that CONTINUED laughter
But she did make the examination, and.
as it was not absolutely necessary to take
her life, which no Mason could possibly
do, she was admitted to the Order, and
from thenceforth with her apron, very
appropriate garment, she went through
the city devoting herself to the education
of the young orphans of her native city.
The next woman admitted to the Order
was Madame Kirkeneau, distinguished
French woman, who excited the satire
and provoked the sneeits of the famous
critic Votaire, who taunted and reproach-
ed her with having connected herself with
this institution. She answered him by
saving of the Institution Chat she loved
it beUause 1t demonstrates the beauty OF
doing good" In beautiful piece oy the
dramatist, in one of whose temples we
now stand, in that beautiful play of Shy
lock, he introduces to Us tho great advo-
cate, who figures in one of his passages
second to none in eloquence, persuasion
and power. He illustrates the character
of Portia, and she comes to my mind in
virtue of that beautiful speech placed
upon her eloquent lips by the orator;
where she speaks of mercy:
"Tbe quality of mercy is not strained
II droppeh rs the rain from heaven
IJnon the place beneath it is twice blessed
It blesscth him that gives and him that takes.
And in 2 presence like this; one tonight
naturally inquiries why this large assem-
blaee of persons Of the Order, OF men
whose brotherhood extends all over crea-
tion. and which has come do#n irt majesty
and beauty through centuries? Why is
it graccd by the presence OF ladies, who
frequently, for domestic reasoi1s-reasons
no doubt of love towards husbands, ia
thcrs and brothers-have felt inclined to
speak harshly and judge partially OF the
Order? Nothing is more appropriate
than that the delicate sex should be here
und everywhere where Masons are gath.
cred together; for there is no order OF
men on earth who have established IN
their Institutions SUCH sacred and loyal
obligations for the honor OF their sex.
Great applause) regard these women
there tonight as encouraging to us to
come forward for one of the noblest pur-
poses that ever stirred the heart and eX-
cited the motives Of men to direct ter
mination of the purposes which benevo-
lence can attain. 1t is most gratifying
to me that Lam permitted to ENJOY lds Ido
grand privilege OF speaking few -sOod mulu'
in the cause for which we are con,;"oa p,.a,ad
On the ticket sent TO me L 81" p,'"sea r, w
these few eloquent, pathetic. teafiui, nt, TER
,;hln r;lJ words: .tThe cry OF the poor. Inns
- ;s1,O w catch of the pen it is no sketch OF
10 ,1,a ~ f,ncy-it is solid, stern truth; and
vn1 ,ah;le Ie | stand here before you tonight
hare ~ are those who have been brought
up at the South, delicately fostered in the
arms of mothers who bent over them with
smiles benignant as that heaven to which
in childhood we look up towards the
Master of the Universo-men, women.
and. children educated and nurtured in
the lap of luxury, are tonight suffering
from the pinching want of the commonest
necessaries of life. We are here tonight
that those who cry for bread, as if in The
wilderness, may have mamma sent to them