The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1870-12-10
For the Palladium.
FROM NEWPORT.
THE ANTI-SECRET ASSOCIATION
CONVENTION.


This association is attempting to do
something. but just what, is the point We
cannot comprehend.
We had the pleasure ofa few nome nts
OF C mingling amongst them in conyen-
ton assembled, and while there. heard
some things that surprised US, On &C
count of them comming from persons
whom we thought aught to have had
better judgment than to cast them abroad
in a convention, where men are in tie
habit Of coming to conclusions from the
facts brought ia evidence.
What we refer to in particular is =
statement made by Rev. Mr.. Evans, Of
Marion county, which was as follows
That Masons and Odd Fellows are not
benevolent societies, because they will
not take OLD men in dotage or cripples
into their societies, who are likely to be-
come an object Of charity. Now. if Bro.
Evans will exercise . few moments in
thinking in very commonl,sens way,
(and the commonest hind of sense is suf>
ficient) on this subject. he will perceive
at once that it would be ruinous to any
society to admit them into full fellow.
ship, for the reason that every one who
became unable to support himself, would
beg money enough to be initiated into
the order-simply because it would be
more reputable to do chatham to go to
the county infirmary. Another very
palpable reason for refusing such persons
is, that each Mason or Odd Fellow pays
the required amount Of tax due from him
to create special fund for the support
Of paupers in the county asylum. We
pay our tax without grumbling. and thus
contribute to the. support of tho poor Of
our county according to our means }
just the Same IS those who remain OUT
side Of those organizations.
Now, why Masons and Odd Fellows
should take upon themselves the whole
pauperdom Of our country-simply be>
cause they are benevolent Institutions
is something we cannot understand.
And why men will reveal their ignor-
ance by making the assertion that they
are not observation-disclosures they do not
assume the responsibility Of caring for
all the poor of our lands something
else that We don't want to understand.
All we ask Of our Anti-Secret-Assoc
alton brethren is, for them to think 'so>
bsrly and righteously' upon this subject,
and see if Maso MS nd Odd Fellows don't
do their share in supporting the poor of
our country, outside Of taking care of
their own members who need assistance,
and who lever receive penny from this
special fund, for the support of the poor.
We would like some Of those men to say
these few words over TO themselves
about twice each day: 'Masons and
Odd Fellows don't ask us to help take
care of their paupers, but at the same
time they pay their regular quota of tax
for the purpose of supporting our poor
Or in other words. 'They help ms take
care of our poor. and take care Of their
own themselves Now we should think
the point plain enough for any one to see
it, though he be 'New-Light' preacher.
And again, some one asserted that
ninety cases out Of every hundred of the
murders committed in the South since
the war, was chargable to the Masons.
Now We confess. in all humility-'in
sack cloth and ashes'-that the small
apportionment Of Imagination allotted to
US, is not sufficient to frame . reply to
such an KaREGIoUsLY LEARNED assertion.
but will console ourself by making an
assertion on our own responsibility. and
expect the Rev. Gentleman to rsfute it
if he can. 1t is as follows, kind reader !:
Where ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be
wise.
Farewell Brother Evans-ah
MASON