The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-30
THE ANTI-MAsoNIC WAR.

THURLow WEED AND THE OLD MORGAN STORY.
NEW YORK, May 20 1876.
To THE EDITOR or THE HERALD
Always accustomed to seeing the HERALD fore
most IN the effort TO inform the public literally
with regard TO whatever great questions may
agItate It's ranks, am, or course, NOT surprised
at the space and time occupied IN It's columns by
the question OF Preemasonry, Just now brought
prominently forward by the approaching dedica-
tory ceremonies In connection with the new
Tempe as 1t is termed, erected In this city.
There can be no reasonable objection raised 90
the treatment OF this subject one possessing
great public interest, and, as / think, vital with
importance in its relations 10 the civilized world.
But, sir, in investing this subject with the impor-
lance consequent TO the large figure which you
oner in furnishing Its statistics, ron display only
portion or its varied, intimate ana peculiar reia.
tions to humanity. And | NAV perhaps, be per-
United to ask II the HERALD, which assumes 10 De-
and is, Of the people and from the people, should
not in this connection take cognzance OF the TACT
that Freemasonry, Ike any other secret system
or association, Is an institution originating under
arbitrary or government, and altogether IN.
compatible with the province and nature or repuD.
licanisn ~
For while the many uneasy ana cla.hng inter
ests or the old World communities tend naturally,
each and all or them, TO selfish, secret organtza-
ton for their individual good or SELF aggrandize-
ment we in this country form, in our body cor
porate, one vast brotherhood Of agreeing pur.
poses whose advancement occurs in the fuIl ght
OF day, ana which needs no secret combination
to erect It's peaceful and humane purposes.
Into this advanced theory OF civilization has
stolen tae secret order or Frecmasons; 50 insidi.
ously that It's progress can with difficulty be
traced; 80 energeticaily that, as your able pre-
voiaries by the hundreds OF thousands among our
wealtnest and most active and useful citizens
And this vast growth has been the result not or
any known value or utility in the organization
Itself IN ITS relations 70 humanity, but chiefly on
account Of that very secrecy which has proved, as
IL was designed TO prove, bait to human curiosity
and credulity and that universal principle Of Ere
gariousness winch leaves no man. however mad,
ana no system, however foolish, without followers
and disciples.
order-thelr mouths seaied nom the truth by fear
iul oaths-that we can raise no objection 60 the
institution because we nave no evl recorded OF
As wei may We say aspertnently that we nave no
good recorded oil II. Of course, we Can have no
record whatever ~ us work, since that work u
oone in secret. And as well may We on tnlt
theory recognize the value Oh counterfeit bank
note, whose injurious power exists IN It's very eX-
istence aud not IN It's uses, whether these be
benenceur or harmful
But the ract is, whether we can prove or not tho
dangerous influence upon society OF this vast,
organized force, working in secrecy ana In the
darn We nave every reason for believing that lis
interference Is felt In our closest RELATIONSHIPS
la politics 10 Is certain that any powerful secret
combination; not based upon public necessity or
interest must be dangerous 80 the community
And in this connection was glad to see In 4
letter from one OF your correspondents while the
general topic OF FreemasOnry Is being brought
freshly before us through the present OCCASION a
reference TO That curious episode in our own State
political history which Is known as the "Aorgann
oXCiiemeat.
And Il point the moral or this communication /
VIII, II you please, recount briedy lev additional
DEALS VITA regard TO mat incident, with a view
ia CONCLUSION, ~ making oae more ef1ort TO obtan
from some one who NAV know the secret such a
statement as will serve 10 inform the pubic on
one OF the most damning events IN tue history OF
secret organizati0ns.
Tne facts OF tnis case are briefly these William
Morgan Freemason, living IN Batavia, n. ~,
announced In the latter part Of tS26 that he, con-
Jointly Nth one Colonel Miller, intended 10
publish a work, entitled The Mysteries or
Freemasonry.n Thereup0n the MasOns made
various efforts 20 suppress the proposed
publication, such as by setting ere 20
the printing once In Batavia where the manu-
scripts and printed Sheets with tue type VI ths
"Mystorles,p were stored, causing the arrest or
Morgan on q frivolous charge, wnich was dropped
as Aoon as investigated ana, finally, thesene fari-
Gus acts eliminating IN tue abduction OF William
Morgan after HIS release from the jail OF Canaan
daIgua september IL, 1926, and as Is supposed,
his muTder, as his fate was never aferWard legally
aecertained.
In connection with this statement, which Is a
perfectly authentic history OF TINS most Infamous
transaction, a story went the rounds OF the press
and pubic gossip az the time bridging the name
o. t1e DISTINGUISHED political aRAsiiaIn, TnTlow