The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-09-21
The Dangers of Prosperity.

Under this heading Past Grand Mas
ter A. L. Metcalf, of Michigan, in his
last annual address, expressed the fol-
lowing ideas as to the danger and use
lessness of rushing to the defence Of the
order when slandered or belied by it's
enemies. Two weeks ago we published
an article from the Mystic Star, in
which Bro. Billings argued the other
side of the question, and endeavOred to
prove the necessity of defending the
good name of Masonry. We copy be-
low an extract from the address re-
ferred to, in which we think Bro. Met
calf expresses the sentiments of nine
tenths of the craft. i
enquire why did the founders of
Masonry adopt the policy of secrecy 7
Briefly, because without secrecy, Ma
sonic condolences could not be observed
MasOns and the world but chiefly, be-
cause, without it, the proposed benefits
of the institution could not be confined
within the proposed limits, viz Masons,
their widows and orphans. The prin-
ciples OF Masonry require its disciples to
be of good moral character. Ignoring
all distinctions made by rank, station
and wealth, we endeavor to select only
the good, and to exclude those who are
bad or of bad repute. Once admitted
to membership, all are brothers and
equals. These of our number who are
good and true men, naturally desire to
exclude from their fellowship all who
are bad, especially those who will make
improper uses Of the condolences and
benefits of Masonry. IF then, secrecy
be necessary as an internal policy to Sc
cure proper use of Masonic confidence,
and as an external policy to prevent an
improper application of Masonic bene-
fits, we perceive how important the part
which silence bears in Masonic polity.
In adopting its policy of secrecy,
the institution of Free Masonry creates
no issue with the world because in SO
doing, it neither inVades any rights
nor inflicts any wrongs. Towards the
world its attitude is that of asking
because it does not even profess, eX-
cept incidentally, to do anything for it.
Never propagandist, it does not med
die with anybody, neither does it ask
anything Of anybody. But through
our policy of silence absolyes the world
of all obligations to Masonry, it ON the
other hand, imposes on every true Ma
son the duty of expecting nOthing-not
even praise e-frOm those on whom we
prOfessedly confer nothing. BY the
same process of reasoning deduce an
other Masonic duty, viz: That we must
be Outwardly Indifferent to the censtlre
of those whose praise we have no right
to exbect. In short, it is the imperative
duty of all Mas0ns to observe two rules
towards the wOrld--seek not it's praise,
nor provoke its censure but, whether
praised or eensllFed-be silent; If its
praise be just we cannot own it; it it
be mistakenly given we cannot correct
it. So too of its blame ; If it be just we
cannot profit by it; If unjust we can
not prove it. In either case, therefore
silence is both duty and wisdom"
What is the practical value of ar.
| gument with our Opposers, In the alb
sence of q tribunal 7 Are the people 8
tribunal competent to judge our case
Do we concede to our opponents them.
we SO confident of the convincing pow
| er of arguments, aud of the candor o1
our enemies, that we can safely abide
by their decision Proof, however
abundant it may be, we cannot use In
our defense before any except Mason,
| ic tribunal and a Masonic tribunal
would be to our enemies unsatisfactory
| and to us unnecessary. What prdctieG
GOOD then can possibly be accomplished
| by replying to censure or engaging IN
argument3
The iust and the intelligent never
condemn without proof or without
knowledge. Silly big0ts and meddle
some fools may den0unce, as they Otter
/ do, what they do not understand bui
We can well afford to hold all such il
silent contempt. To their attacks We
cannot reply attempted reply digni
fiss the assault and makes the assailan
our equal. It also encourages further
attack because when bigGtry or folly
assail, O defense feeds their vanity ant
encourages o continuance of warfare
The motive of this class of assailants i
itself proof that there is no wisdom IL
defense because to seek the truth or tt
Iind the truth constitutes no part OF thu
impulse that moves them. Their soil
motive springs from prejudice Ia feel
ing that never is quelIed by defense
| but is only the more stimulated by 1t Il
further attack Reason and right d,
not influence it f0rits object is not I,
establish truth, but to carry its pOillt-no
TO find the good, but to put down, righ
on wrong, whatever it chooses to assail
Nv brethren, pardon me If urg,
these views somewhat persistently.
Lam firmly convinced that it is our high
est wisdom, whether as individual Ma
sons, officers Of tie Lodge or Crane
Lodge, on conductors of a Masonic press
to preserve, in regard to all assaults up
on ms, 1a ltfbr0keR siEeRce--I repeat it.
! L fsl5sz al aasaafs