Arizona weekly citizen., 1886-10-16
THE CARB0NARI.
HISTORY OF THE FAMOUS NEA-
 PouTAN SECRET SOCIETY.

FULL rNAN S-OAh-f
 Tho Influence of Masonry Upon the
 Order-Candidates and Ceremonies of
 InitIation-LOdge Room EquaIity-Mor-
 aIity Required by tine Laws
 The origin of the system of secret political societies. known in Italy as Carbonari, or the actual date of ss inception. Is as little known as that of the Vehm Gerichte. Indeed, the Neapolitan CarbOnari have a tradition that it existed during the middle ag,s, and after ward spread over the Netherlands and France The Abbe Barruel states that it was estab- lshed and in full force in France during the reign of Francis I, while M. Charles NOdier affirus that the secret association of Char bonniers charcoal burners had existed in the Jura for ages.
 The grand lodge of Carbonari was com posed of delegates from provincial lodges and of members at large, or honorary members Its seat was in the city of Naples, and It was constantly in session. Its business was to grant charters and dispensations for new lodges, revising and confirming, or rejecting, rules and regulations submitted by subor- dinate lodges, and, in short, exercising gen eral governing supervision over the order similar to that of the Masonic grand lodges, after which it was closely patterned
 INFLCENCE OF MASONRY.
 Indeed. Masonry seems to have given, not only the CarbOnari, but almost every one of the secret societies of mediPval and modern times, their forms of internal government and organization. One can trace its influence in the nluminati and Tugendbund of Germany, the Philalelphians of France, and the CarbO- mari of Italy. with equal certainty and clear ness If proof of the influence of Masonry on the CarbOnari, other than the internal econ omy of the lodges, were wanted, it is found in the fact that all MasOus were admitted to the order simply by ballot, and were not re- quired to undergo the usual forms of initia- tiOn and probation tO which ordinary candi- dates were subjected. The order was protes- se,lly founded on principles of virtue. All prOfane language was strictly prohibited and punishments were provided for infractiOns or morality. The uninitiated were called pa gans; the initiated, good cousins The lat ter were divided into apprentices and masters, an apprenticeship of six months being re- quired before a member could be elevated to the masters desrce. All were required to Ob- serve the most iuviolable secresy as to what transpircd in the lodge, the members of one body not being allowed to communicate these things even to afiiliates or other lodges
 The lodge room was plain and devoid of ornaments. The master of the lodge sat at the head of the room opposite the main en- trance. Before him was a block of wood, which served as a desk, and upon which lay a crucifix and the paraphernalia used in in itiationS, In his hand he bore q small axe, shaped ike that of an executiOner, which he used as gavel To his right and left, behind similar blocks, sat the secretary and orator. The masters occupied benches ranged along the right side of the master of the lodge and the apprentices similar benches on the left From the ceiling hung triangular transparent cies bearing CarbOnari symbols. In the lodge room perfect equality prevailed. Social dis functions were set aside, and prince and peas ant, rich and poor, sat side by side on the benches.
 CEREMONIES OF INITIATION.
 The initiation of an entered apprentice was very simple, the candidate being questioned as to motives of joining, mode of life, etc. and taking the oath of secrgsy. He was blindfolded before taking the oath, the hooiwinls beingre- moved at the last words of the VOW. He ARAAAtA AAAl AAAaA.ANA AA AAAH ANtAH AlAl standing over him with gleaming axes. and was told that these weapons would defend him so long as he lived true to his oath. and punish him if he ever became derelict or forsworn. The second degree was much more elaborate, and consisted of a dramatic representation Of the trial, tOrments, etc, of Christ. The candidate, who was an appren- tice, of course was made to pray, to drink sar Ausr thorns, to hold a reed in his hand and have a cross on his back. He finally took an oath of fealty to the order, WIS invested with q black, blue and red scarf, and instructed in the words, grips and signs of the masters de- gree. The colors of the scarf were symboi- cal of charcoal, smoke and fire. The sacred words of the first rank were faith. hope and charity. and the second, honor. virtue and probity. The apprentices had no pas words. The masters word was Fern and the cOun- tcrsign -Nettler
 The records of the grand lodge consisted of two books, the golden and the black. The first contained the laws of the order. while the second was register of all those who had tried, but failed, to become members, with minute information concerning them. The -black book also contained list of all ex- pelled and apostate members, with details of their history.
 The laws of the CarbOnari are remarkable for their austerity toward those offenses usu- ally considered as mere trifes in the absolute society of Naples. Any association with dis 'olute characters, male or female, was pun shed by suspensson, and, if repeated, by ex- | DulSion- An attempt upon the honor of q female member of the family of Carbonari | Sas punished by expulsion. Even to attempt | he virtue of a female servant of a Carbonari | vas punished by suspension for two years St Louis Globe-Dcmocrat