The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-01-13
MASONIC COLUMN,
nnsons and the Centennial.

nusOus ana the centennial.
Much credit is due to Colonel John W.
Forney for the able and persistent manner
in which . has presented the objects of
the centennial, not only through the col
umms oe the Press, but also in public adj |
dressc.. The following remarks of Colonel |
Fornev delivered at an Entertainment given |
hv Ken,ington Lodge, A. Y. NJ, will do
much good Could HE entire masonic or
der be into csted in The centennial, it would
need no other support, and we trust that the
body, as an organization, will have much
to do with the erection of this national tenn
pie of progress;
srEECU OF nos. JOHN ". EORNEr.
do not know, ladies and gentlemen, how
better to prov my sincere thanks for your
kind invitation than by calling your alten-
lion to the interesting connection between
the order of mas NY and the coming CEN
tennial. In fact, thvie is no association on
this continent moro intimately connected
with the history and growth of our country,
and therefore more especially dedicated to the
appropriate celebration of the centennial,
than masonry. Washington, Franklin,
Lafayette, Joseph Warren, and many other
revolutionary characters, were distinguished
members of your fraternity, and, as re-
call these names, and add to them the names
of such Pennsylvanians as George NJ.
Dadlas, Fraucis Il. Skunk, George Wolf,
and others, still living, almost equally dis
tinguished, high in confidence and Service.
/ find sufficient evidence of the universally
of our benevolcnce and usefulness. 1t is
this universally which must especially mark
the centennial Applause Inviting
hither all the nations of the Garth, how
beautiful the idea that brotherhood which
extends to all these nations should be in
voked to aid in the good work. Cheers
Masonry has no politics the centennial will
have no politics. Masonry pleads for re-
ligious federation; neither sect, nor creed,
nor dogma will be excluded from the CEN
tennial Your members can travel safely
over all the world, armed with their staple
diploma, freely admitted into every circle,
protected from every injury and during the
late civil war, more than one life was saved
and many sufferings alleyiated by your gen.
tie ministrations. Applause. 1t is be-
cause your fibers reach to the utmost ends
of the earth, while your history is lost in
tradition, that we all look to you to help
forward what will be universal meeting
of The peoples of the earth in grateful revi-
val of all the sacred teaching of our illus
trious past Cheers. The collections OF
history and the relics Of the revolution will
be immensely increased by your aid, and,
no doubt, among your archives will be found
many treasures that will throw light upon
the best examples of the past Applause.
Many people are puzzled to know exact.
ly what masonry means-how it originated
whether, in fact, you are doing much
good. Your roll of membership ought to
answer this question, for it is hardly posi-
BILE that the eminent characters l have
named would be attached TO an institution
without an object; but il l could define any
specific advantage resulting from your or
ganization, it would be your architecture
and your conservative relation to many OF
the existing splendors of European art
Cheers. Without discussing whether
your orders can be traced from Solomon ant
his gorgeous and unparalleled temple, it il
enough to refer to the many superb testi
monials erected by the masons in ancient
countries, especially in Great Britain
Here, again, you will be needed at the cen
tennial. Most happily have you set the ex
ample by your unequalled temple, at thu
corner of Broad and Filbert streets, in thi
city, "a work which excites the admiration ant
us hope, the great pioneer in the artistic
and harmonious development of our grea
metropolis. Applause. Here, where
indeed, our architecture has been so slow
we may well turn with gratitude to the mas
sive and symmetrical pile quietly erecte
by your order, not simply as a lesson in put
lie buildings, but rs model to public ser
vants-you have set us an example in NOR
respects than one, in management, in style
and in economical expenditure. Ap
plause.
How curious the history of masonry
How it has overcome all opposition! Their
are no antl-mason now, and yet most OF u
who have passed over half century recol
lect the time when hostility to masonry wa
as fierce as hostility to Charlottesville
your members were dragged to Harrisburg
and were thrown into prison, and whe
almost presidential party was formed
the basis of opposition to your order. Nov
nobody is willing to admit that he ever OF
posed your organization [cheers. and mo-
of the distinguished statesmen who led
the crusade are willing to oblitcrate tn;
part of their record, so that you stand viz
dicated by the glorious charities of you
order, and by the overthrow OF our advel
saries. Applause.
Many people wonder why ladies are II,
admitted to memberships but, judging fro
their presence here tonight, they do n,
complain any more than because they al
refused admission to the clubs or to polit
cal organizations and yet, with your emo
nous and increasing numbers, they are G
abled to use all the elements of woma
hood in the country, because your cause
the cause of charity, and love, and 70
givencss-the alienation OF human suite
ing, the dissemination of friendship. al
the extinction of all differences between 4
nations. [Cheers. rms is especial
womon's sphere; and | can well imag
with how much zeal your wives and daug
ters will enter upon that part of the conte
NAL mission WEIGH relates to the women
the revolution-so many of them the wiz
and daughters of the leading masons of til
exalted period. Phil. Journal Of ETpo'
tom