The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-30

Cerneau, DOWN to the present incumbent,
Illustrious Brother William II. Peckham, is
unbroken; the records are perfect; the legiti-
macy of the body is beyond question; yet it's
rivals are so reckless in serving their personal
ambition that they would even be willing to
endanger the peace and unity of Blue Lodge
Masonry to gain a seeming and temporary
advantage"
General Charles Roome, deputy grand
master of the Knights Templars OF the United
States, in the interview held with him. ac-
cepted the troubled question with a reluc-
lance that made the later portions of his
statement scarcely trump in or follow suit
with his initial averment.
SIS it true" he was asked, "that it is con-
templatcd that the Grand Lodge OF thisS State
should adopt such a resolution as that adopt
ed by the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, with a
view to crushing the Cerneau body of Scot
fish Rite MasOns?"
"If so, 1 have not heard it. don't think
the Grand Lodge will take any action in that
direction"
III anything of that kind is attempted
what will be the c-onsequences?'
at is impossible to say, There would be a
great rumpus. Two bodies have declared
against them-the Grand Lodge of Massachu-
sets and the Commaudery of the knights
TempIas of Ohio. The latter refuse to ac-
knowledge them-make it an offense punish
able by expulsion for a Knight Templar to
I6COSallEC llCi1-dS lilG hHISINS w ~ ICGOS
nize them as a legitimate body Of Masons.
The Cerneau body is spurious, and will never
be acknowledged by any legitimate body of
Masons on Gods earth. Theirs is a mere con-
temptible money-making operation, got up
by a lot of adventures, into which they
have, unfortunately, roped quite a number
of respectable people, who have since held
aloof from them. They have no solid found
alton to stand upon"
"If they are spurious. why would it not be
we'll for the Grand Lodge of New York to
expel them?'
ut would be we'll, if they would be likely
to do it. So far as I am individually con-
cerned, | would favor such an action. I
think they are a miserable contemplate
Are the colored masons now recognized by
any of the white grand lodges in this coun-
try%'
to heal them, but it was not successful.
They are clandestine and nothing has been
effected to place then in any other light"
rs there not a colored consistory here in
New York?''
81 don't know; 1 suppose so. Is there any
thing a white man will do that a niger
won't initiate? Pve seen colored Knights
Templars; looked pretty we'll, too. They
have a Grand Lodge in this State, and they
tell me their grand master is quite an intel
ligent, worthy man. What may result one of
these days with regard to the colored Masons
is a difficult problem that 1 would not at
tempt to solve. A black man, you know,
may be made a Mason in our white lodges,
but he must be free-born, and must be made
in a Just and duly constituted lodge"
"Have the knights Templars of New York,
of which body you are one of the chief Of
icers, taken any action, with reference to the
Cerneau Councils member, akin to that
which you say has been taken by the Knights
Templars of Ohio?"
"No. But the knights Templars of New
YORK VIII never recognize them. NOR VIII
about bringing it up in the Grand Lodge,
and some said Yes and others said No
Perhaps they may be let alone to die a ma.
tural death. But you can be assured of this,
that no nan who ever belongs to that spuri-
Gus organization will ever attain any Office
in any c~ommandery OF the Grand Lodge OF
this State. No legitimate Free-mason will
ever vote for them for any Masonic Office"