Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-02-22
From the Frsemason.i

COlOred MasOns.
IN the Flag Of our Union, Boston, we
fiUd the following remarks by an able
Brother OF that city, upon the maxim g
OF d Mason Of a negro, by s.. Andrew e
Lodge, and which we deprecated in our
December number. The views presented
below meet our hearty approval, and
are a scathiDg rebuke to the parties who
Inflicted this wrong upon the fraternity T:
" Not long ago St. Andrews Lodge, OF
this city, made Mason Of one, who, ac-
cordiuC to Bro. Moore's account, is in
The same position as the one who ep-
tered the L1dEes in Chicago, and which
called forth the edict above mentioned
from their Grand Lodge; be asserts that
this eolorej candidate was free born, $50
was the visitor st Chicsgo), and says it
is q mere matter Of taste, and does not
violate any Of the ancient landmarks.
What is the reason Of this reversion OF
judgment in these two parallel cases
l am not saying anything, nCr could L
if I ~ Ould, against the respectable
individual VINO hss been referred to
have known him long time, and have
slWRys respected him as y moral and
upright man and a good citizen. But
are these all tbs qualifications that are
required in the individual who is to asso-
ciatc with US 2 Must be not be one with
whom we can readily frAternize, and
meet as g companion in friendly inter-
course? And how are we to preserve
that harmony 50 essential to our prosper
ity between the Brethren all over our
States, many of whom would not admit
this person into their Lodges should he
apply as q visitor, and very likely pro-
scribe those who hailed from the Lodge
who initistsd him. | know l may be
met with the sgsgsr vel, let them
rejsct, why should We care - Nothing
IL we care not for harmony among the
fraternity; but when that harmony Is Of
so much Importance as to allow any
menb Der 0f the Lodge to object to the
visit OF q bpotloF With whom he does not
desire to associate, AslG though the Lodge
may contain one hundred member who
do not object, still this MEMBER eanpst
he Unsested, and the visitor cannot be
admitted.
q l would ask further, what right has
this Lodge To make brothsr Of one
whom they will not admit to fellowship
OF Uem bership with them ? He has re-
ceived bis degrees, and is sent forth 3
WandereT in the Masonic fraternity. He
can not visit the colOre1 Lodges mere, for
our Grand Lodge does not acknowledge
them, and he, therefore, by our eonstitu-
ton, can net visit them. What Lodge
will give him mem bershlp, should he
apply? What is be to do? If he does
not connect himself with g Lodge be is
debsrred froEa many of the rights and
privileges Of Brother. He has not, ae-
cordin2 TO Msckay and others, a right to
be general visitor of Lodges, OF tc Walk
in Aasoatc procession, or to receive MAJ
sonic burial. Here, then, is Brother
sent adrift into tie fraternity, who, if he
can not obtain membership in a Lodge
Jsnd what Lodge will admit hisa. if the
one whS INFLATED him will not p n1ss
he q WendeFeF RBd an outeast among
them; and if he should be admitted as q
visitor, be must pay the tax levied by the
Grand Lodge on nonaftliated brethren
every time be visits 8 Lodge Are poll
tics creeping into eDg Lodges? They
have crept into our pulPits, and may
they not next attempt the Lodge
room ?U