Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-04-11

an communications must be accompanied by tho OF
he authors rejected cannot returned
THAD. STEVENS AND MAsoNs.-A Wash
ing correspondent of the New York Herald,
referring to some Of the earlier incidents Of
Thad Stevens political career, gives the fol-
lowing account Of his conflict with the Masons
when member OF the Pennsylvania Legisla-
ture
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
simeon, from Maine to Georgia, Thad. Ste
yens was member of the Legislature of Penn
syvania Espousng the cause of the anti
Masons from disappointment. and actuated
BY feelings of the bitterest animosity against
the Masons for reasons that will be made ap-
parent, he introduced resolution to the effect
that the House, of which he was a member,
inquire into the subject of Masonry, with
power to send for persons and papers. The
House, largely anti Masonic-the members
as we'll as the Governor of the State having
been elected upon the then tremendous issue
of the day-adopted almost unanimously the
resolution, and number of we'll know Ma
sons were summoned to attend the "high
court" then in session at Harrisburg, to give
evidence in matters appertaining to the Ma
sonic order. ~ 4. -r:..
A thorough investigation was to be had IN
the premises and the secrets of the brother
hood laid bare to the world. The 'devil,"
the ,"soat' 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 re-
ceive its death blow then and there. Thad.
Stevens was the St. George who Nas to ami
hiate the dragon. On the day appointed for
the commencement of the proceedings, which
were to consummate the above, every member
and, as we have said, majority Of the
House were anti Masons-was in his seat,
anxious for, yet dreading, the uplifting of the
curtain that was to reveal the hitherto yelled
horrors that darkened the ceremonials Of the
Masonic brotherhood. The House was pack
ed With MasoDs and anti Masons, and among
the former was we'll known Mason, master
Of lodge in the State, who had been sum-
moned to Harrisburg in relation to the matter
then about to be investigated in all it's details,
to examine first.
When all was in readiness this great
champion of the anti Masons commenced his
interrogations thus: Are you q Mason p
II am, Sir" DO you belong to a lodge in
this State?' Il do, sir 'EWhat position
do you hold in the lodge?' "The position of
Master "What are the initial proceedings
consequent upon the meeting of q lodger'
The lodge is opened with prayer?' "Wel],
go on, and state what follows r. :" Il am
waiting for your questions" SWELL what are
the ceremonies incident to the admission OF
member?" he is balloted for, and if no
votes be cast against him is admitted mem.
Der Of the order "What then? Please
state the subsequent proceedings. What fol-
lows next? .,# s. ."'"
'sMr. Stevens said the witness, with
mischievous twinkle in his eye, IF, on the
Of 49,, you had been found worthy, you
would have become member Of the----Lodge
in, and would have been initiated in all
the secrets and mysteries connected with the
order, and would have possessed knowledge
that, except he becomes member, no man
ever will possess. The witness sat down.
Stevens was thrown completely back upon his
ing from serene sky, and, paralyzed from the
effects of the blow, stupe6ed with astonish-
ment, he ignominiously wilted, The fact was,
he had some years previously been proposed
for membership in one of the lodges OF the
State OF Pennsylvania, but was ''black balled, ;"
which s'little circumstance he supposed for
gotten. The reminder, hurled at him at this
particular juncture, knocked him completely
off his pins IN ,t.s4 .5,.@1
A DELEcTABLE ToWN.-A correspondent
writing from Hayes City, Kansas, the present
western terminus of the Kansas branch of the
Pacific Railroad, gives the following catalogue
Of the attractions of that city:
"Hayes City contains about 800 people,
nearly one half of whom subsist by. selling
whiskey to the other half; the Sabbath is
known only as a day Of recreation, shops Of
every kind being open, money staked on I'll the
tables, and gaming going on as usual; The
gospel has never been preached in the place,
The streets are patrolled night and day by sol,
ders; shooting at each other is the standard
amusement of the lively population, four per-
sons having been shot il single week, recent
ly; might is right, and the revolver is the court
Of FIRST and last appeal. 1t has not rained In
Hayes City for six months. :: :z9iA