Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-08

not be tributary or be governed by any
lodge than that Of our own.
with these utterances before them and
,ne history we have cited in their pos
session. the Grand Lodge OF washington
on the petition Of two negroes IN their
individual capacity. so far forgot It's dig
nifty as 10 extend the hand Of fraternai
greeting 10 the negro grand lodges. when
IN had been distinctly stated Dy lhOse
IRON, whom these bodies claimed origin
thar they wished no intercourse ana de-
sired no recognition. Surely, the Hiaha
Lodge of Washington laid aside us SET
respect and for the moment stopped from
its elevated position. Truly 10 our lHlhh-
ing "lt demeaned itself and was reck-
less OF its honor and has committed an
act which cannot be tolerated.
THE whole question is so tersely sum-
med M by the committee OF the Grand
Lodge Of Kentucky that We make use OF
their language:
"The negroes are satisfied with their
Masonry and their other secret orders.
and no white man. with the instincts OF
a gentleman, desires TO curtail their priv
iIeges or intrude himself among them.
Nor do the negroes, az rule, desire 10
thrust themselves upon the whites. IN
Masonry the instincts of the negro have
taught him 10 keep 10 himself lie mas
erected a Masonic edifce OF his own INTO
which no white man las the right 10 IN
trude, and in which he can dwell WIN
bappiness and peace" He IL satisfied.
and there is no reason 70 disturb MN or
TO endanger the harmony and bro,herly
love which has prevailed for 50 many
years among the brethren in the Grand
lodges OF the United States
In abiding TO the question OF uniVer-
salty, the Washington committee attempt
TO juggle with the words free and free
born. and say that there 10 no written
! law Of this jurisdiction requiring candi-
dates 10 be free-born. nor do We know OF
! any case where one Of our lodges mas
I tested candidate as 10 his station az
birth. A single clause In our ritual con-
tains our only allusion 10 IL. This Is not
the case with US and the Altman Recon
OF South Carolina. compelled by that emil
nent author erudite scholar, and unsur-
I passed Masonic jurlst Albert O.. Mackey
| and adopted by the Grand Lodge, spe-
cificauy declares that a candidate must
| be OF free white parents. This once and
forever disposes % the question. so far as
/ the Grand Lodge OF South Carolina Is
| concerned.
Four Grand lodges have thus FAR acted
| upon this matter and have declared non
| intercourse with the Grand Lodge OF
| Washington. II Is the opinion OF YOU
committee that, IN view OF the facts be
'ore US. II is right and proper-nay. I'm
| leratively necessary-that the Crane
,odge OF South Carolina should follow Il
ne footsteps Of New York. Kentucky
Louisiana. aud Arkansas. expressin'
without equivocation and in the mos
unmistakahle terms its disapprova an
condemnation Of the action OF tae Gram
Lodge OF Washington Ia recognizing IN
African Grand Lodges
We recommend the adoption by M
Grand Lodge OF the FOLLOWING feso,ueioh
peso,1ea That the Grand Lodge o
washington having seen AZ, az It's last an
nual communication. 90 pass resoiuuo
recognizing as legitimate the nesr
Grand lodges. the Grand Lodge OF Sout
Carolina wishes 20 express IT'S most uh