The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-02-03
From the Gavel
OUR QUEBEC BRETHREN.

We approach the subject of our Quebec
Brethren with mingled feelings of delicacy
and hesitation As a Freemason acknoUi-
edging the supremacy of the Grand Lodge
of Canada. we hesitate in opposing what are
supposed to be the sentiments of the MAORI
ty of the members of the same, and on the
other hand, 1T may appear to many of the
readers of the Gavel, presumptiOus on our
part TO interfere upon subject. that ac-
cording to the vote of the Representatives
bled in Grand Lodge, last month at
Montreal. should remain IN allegiance until
the regular session of that august assem-
blage. in Toronto, next July. However, as
many members of the Graft have urged us
to commence this publication, we propose at
once to express our views relative to the
present position of our seeding Masonic
Brethren in the Province of Quebec. The
following, then, we hold to be the actual
position of affairs in our sister Province:
1st. We take it for granted that since the
confederation of the Provinces and the con-
sequent separation of the legislative union
that had, previously, for many years existed,
the majority of the Ereemasons of Ontario
have known that their brethren in the Prov
Ince of Quebec were DESTROYS of seeding
from the so-called Grand Lodge of Canada.
End. 1t is also an admitted fact that a
secession Cor rather friendly separation of
the Lodges in the Province of QueEec) was
expected at the past two sessions of the
Grand Lodge of Canada. and with all due
respect to the present NJ. W.. the Grand
Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada, he
was elected not only on account of his ener-
gy and enthusiasm in all matters concern
ing the Craft, but also because he was
member of Quebec Lodge.
3rd. 1t cannot be denied that officials,
high in the confidence of Canadian Masons,
saw, as soon as the Confederation of the
Provinces was accomplished, the anomalous
position in which the Grand Lodge of Can
ada was placed. and urged upon the Craft,
the importance of either a supreme Grand
Lodge for the whole Dominion of Canada,
or Independent Grand Lodges for each in
dividual Province.
Now, we maintain that the above three
statements are correct in every particular.
We are anxious, when writing upon so I'M
portant a topic to be very guarded in our
expressions, and on no account to allow
ourselves to draw hasty conclusions. We
believe, and we say it with all due Difference
to friend or foe, that unfortunately party
feeling, pride of position on the one side,
and love of arrogant independence on the
other has in more than one instance, caused
bitterness of feeling, and prejudiced and
narrow-minded expressions of sentiment.
| These must be thrown overheard when en-
gagged in discussing this important subject.
| Let us in the first place ask ourselves hon
estly and squarely, what our Quebec Breth-
rem have done, and in the second place, let
us put ourselves in similar position, aud
say, each one to himself how would have
| acted under similar circumstances
| What have these Quebec Brethren done
| Our Quebec Brethren>ever since the separa-
| ton of the legislative union, have desired
an Independent Grand Lodge for heir own
| Province, as can be proved by their action
| in Grand Lodge and before committees OF
the same, ever since that act came into
| force. This matter it was decided could not
| be discussed in Grand Lodge. How then
could the matter be brought forwaFdY Only
/ by a convention composed of Delegates
| from the Subordinate Lodges within the
Province of Quebec. Such Il Convention
| was held. The Grand Master of Canada
suspended those Masons, including some not
| on the register of the Grand Lodge of Cana
| da on the ground of Secession and Rebellion.
| The question then arose, what course was to
! be pursued The answer was, protest
| against the action of the Grand Master,
| appeal to the Grand Lodge of Canada for
| redress, and in the meantime organize an
! Independent Grand Lodge for the Province
| of Quebec. This course was pursued.
! If we (the Masons of Ontario) had been a
| small minority of the Grand Lodge of Can
| ada, instead of large majority, would we
| not have desired separate and independent
| Grand Lodge for the Province of Ontario
| We believe every every Freemason in the
| Province of Ontario. who conSeientiously
| asks himself this question. will answer in
| the affirmative. Is there Il FreemaSon In
| the enlightened Province of Ontario, who
would bind his Quebec Brethren TO an Or
| ganization that was distasteful to them, or
refuse the same privilege to the Masons OF
/ Quebec, that he freely grants to his brethren
| in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, viz,
an Independent Grand Lodge for each
| Province in the Dominion. We cannot
| believe that Freemasonry has come to this,
| that she will force men unwillingly into
| some particular fold, and if they cOnscien-
| tiously differ and wish the same privileges
| granted to Others in similar position, that
! we will refuse to grant 1t and suspend them.