Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-05-02

.;.v fov avery member Of the order to rtsu.
-. ~. csnd,r. IN a manner TO add 10 and
~ enhance lie moral force and c'gn,y' Ahe
;p,por,ancs Of this consideration "iH CUM
.nf - 1910 "a very Mason who cherisbe,
~. $50 A. oar ORDER, and who regards
.os,.I happiness and civil liberty ~ para
s,ount objects In the philosophy Of life, and
the administration OF human affairs. While
the COED men and true OF cur brotherhood
build up no brother ought to pull down.
The slightest departure from moral rscti-
tude in a brother may overturn and undo
the sfec. Of the most stupendeus iabors Of
tie just and upright workman. Grand
Master Coiilnbury.
PoLrTicAL MAsoxs-IIow DISPOSED oF.-
Masonry ignores sli political differences Of
opinion. and all rsiigious tests, save those
required by the Landmarks Of Masonry
To demand new tests OF qualification, would
Be an Innovation on Masonry. A member
can reject IN applicant for initiation, pas
ing. OF raising for any cause and - long
% he pressrvss the ordinary sscsssy q the
ballet, his reasons Or motives eannet b In
quirsd into but should be state publicly
in open Lodge. or otherwise, that he has or
will vsts 10 reject 90 applicant having the
requisite qualifications, upon political or 70.
ligieus grounds alone, he would BE- guilty Of
unmasonic conduct; and il such dsclara-
lions nd improper exposure OF hie ballot
should disturb the peace and harmony sfthe
Lodge, he may be reprimanded, suspend. d
or expelled.-[G. Lodge Of Tennessee.
TnAp. SrEvsss or Masonry. Ste
vens' schemes and efforts have not always
/ s,,-.~asf,,l A H. tnl1 nT his
experience in the Pennsylvania Legislature
many years ago, whom the anti-Masentc f.
yer ragged throughout the country. Mr..
Stevens had introduced . resolution Of in
quiry into the subject OF Masonry. which
was passed by the House and . committee
appointed, with full power to send for per
ssns and papers. A aumbsr Of we'll known
Masons were summoned to attend the
"high court" then in session, and Z
thorough investigation Vas 70 bs he'd il the
premises. The fearful rites and csrsuonisa
we're 70 be laid bare to the world, and the
black monster, Masonry, Was to receive III
death blow. Thsd. Stevens WAS the ST.
George who Was 70 aunihilats the fiery
dragon.
On the day appointed for the commence.
ment of the trial every member Was in hii
seat. The 6rst and the emily witness exam
insdi was . veil known Master Of . Masonic
lodge, whs was INTERCEPTED ~ follows -
"What are the initial proceedings conss
quent upon the meeting Of . Masonic
ledger Tho lodge 10 opened with pray
sr." "Wsll. 60 on, and state what follows.
IL an waiting for your QUESTION:" "Wsll,
what are che ceremonies incident 70 the I'd
mission of . member ?" He 10 ballotsd for
and il no votes DO cast against him 10 I'd
mittsd member Of the order" "WhsI
then? Please state the subsequent pro
csedings. What follows nsxtr "Mr
Stevens said the witness, with a mis-
chievous twinkle Of the eve, 'if on the :
day Of =, 1s-, yon had been found wor
thy you would have become . member Of
the - lodge in -, and would have beer
initiated in oil the secrets and mystsriei
connected with the order, aud would have
pc ssessed knowledge that-s1eept be be
come msmber-no mAn ever will possess. =
The witness sat down and Stevens wiltsd
The fact was, Stevens had some years pre-
viously been proposed for membership in
ono Of the LODGES OF the State Of Penney
vania, but was "black- balled.''