Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-05-12
Thad. Stevens in the Pennsylvania
Legislature Anti-MasoniG
Proclivities.

Tbad. Stevens, the long acknowledged
leader of the House in its onslaughts upon
the Constitution, the iercest if not the strong
est spirit of all the Radical band, impeach-
ment's foremost champion, was not always as
successful in his schemes and efforts as he has
lattery been as am exponent of Radicaiism,
At the time when the great anti Masonic ex-
citement-born to life from the Morgan bug
bear-swept over the land like a fierce si-
moon, from Maine to Georgia, Thad. Stevens
was member of the Legislature of Pennsyl-
vania. Espousing the cause of the anti
Masons from disappointment, andactuated by
feelings of the bitterest animosity against the
Masons, for reasons that will be made apparent,
he introduced resolution to the effect that
the House, of which he was member, inquire
into the subject of Masonry, with power to
send for persons and papers. The House,
largely anti Masonic-the members as well
as the Governor of the State having been
elected upon the then tremendous issue of the
day-adopted almost unanimously the resolu-
ton, and number of we'll known MasOns
were summoned to attend the "high court,"
then in session at Harrisburg, to give evi>
dcnce in matters pertaining to the Masonic
order
A thorough investigation was to be held
in the premises, and the secrets of the brother
hood laid bare to the world. The "devil,"
the ''goat," and the ''gridiron" were. to be
shown up in all their hideousness the fearful
and horrible rites and ceremonials were to be
brought forth and exposed to the light OF day,
and the black monster, Masonry, was to
receive its death blow then and there. Thad.
Stevens was the St. George who was to
annihiate the dragon. On the day appointed
for the commencement Of the proceedings
oh ryT
menlber-and as we have said, majority of
the House were anti-Masons-was in his seat,
anxious for yet dreading the uplifting curtain
that was to reveal the hitherto veilcd horrors
that darkened the ceremonial Of the Masonic
brotherhood. The House was packed with
Masons and anti Nasons, and among the
| former was we'll known Mason, master Of
| lodge in the State, who had been summoned
to Harrisburg in relation to the matter then
about to be investigated in all its details, and
him, Thad, as grand inquiSitor, proposed to
examine first.
When all was in readiness, the selfcon-
stituted champion of the anti Masons COM
menccd his interrogations thus:
care you Mason 2"
81 am, sir"
"Do you belong to lodge in this State ?"
81 do, sir"
"N nat position 90 you hOlu III the lOdSe!
| ''The position of Master"
"What are the initial proceedings conse-
| quent upon the meeting Of a lodge"
''The lodge is opened with prayer"
"Well, go on, and state what follows"
''I am waiting for your questions"
"Well, what are the ceremonies incident
to the admission of a member"
''He is balloted for, and if no votes be cast
! against him, is admitted member Of the
der"
"What then? Please state the subsequent
proceedings. What follows next 2"
"Mr. Stevens" said the witness, with a
mischievous twinkle in his eye, ''if, on the
- o., Is, you had been
found worthy, you would have become mem-
Der of the - Lodge, in --, and
would have been initiated in all the secrets
and mysteries connected with the order, and
would have possessed a knowledge that, ex
! cept he becomes a member, no man ever will
| possess"
The witness sat down. Stevens was COM
! pletely thrown back upon his launches by
this unexpected thunderbolt coming from
serene sky, and paralyzed from the effects of
the blow, stupefed with astonishment he ig-
ANONYMOUSLY wited The fact was, he had
been some years previously proposed for mem
bership in one of the lodges of the State of
Pennsylvania, but was "black baled," which
'little circumstance" he supposed forgotten.
The reminder hurled at him at this partcu-
lar juncture, knocked him completely off his
| pins. There was universal buzz OF satlS-
| faction from the large number of Masons in
| the house, as the point-blan shot of the
| brother went so true to its aim, and amid the
commotion consequent from the mark being
so squarely hit, the further examination of
Masonic witnesses was postponed until the
next day. 1t is needless to say this was the
end of the matter The whole thing, as far
as legislative interference was concerned, was
very wisely dropped.-N Y Herald.