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

had been for some years acting "llnou'
any Masonic authority, fell into allegiance
or, I'm Masonic parlance. became do' i ll-'
r. more properly. extinct. some years
afterwards Il was revived. but py "lonl
or under what authority has never peen
shown by those who revived II. No1l~S
OF the revival was given 70 the Nla-N
Lodge Of England. but no reply Vi
cocnitiOn followed. Let IL be renehlusieu
mar all this was done in the city OF bos,
too. within the jurisdiction OF the SIa l.l..
Todge Of Massachusetts, whose authoil.S
md very existence were ignored, OF.
rather defed, by this self-consututeu
lodge.
This was the true beginning OF African
Masonry on this Continent. wnlch biolh
rs Peid linton. and Edm.ston are pleased
10 stvle legitimate. and 10 which they IIO-
DOSE TO extend fraternai recognition
There are two basic principles Of Ma
.,nic law-weu established and wei re-
.,rnized-which have been grossly Vio-
lated by this action OF the Grand Looso
II Washington:
That 1t is not within the power OF
nv Mason 20 hold communication WIN
.landestine Masons.
, The firmly established American doc
trine OF exclusive Jurisdiction.
There can be no question as 20 the char-
lcter OF the Masonry represented py the
negro lodges OF this country. II Is cld'-
iestine beyond doubt and there Is no
shadow OF claim 10 legality or regularity
The Masonic law is so plain that II -
not necessary 10 argue the point
NO military lodge shall. on any pre-
rence. initiate into Masonry any lnhaol-
ant or sojourner in any town or place al
which It's members may be stationed, o.
through which they may be marching
nor any person who does not at the tlihe
belong 10 the military profession.
This was the law which was in force al
the time when Hall and his associates
claim 10 have been initiated into the Inys
feries Of Masonry They were. therefore
made II made at all. In direct opposluoi
to the law governing such cases, ai'
could make no claim 10 regular Masonic
standing. even had their subsequent recos
milton by the Grand Lodge OF England
| .onferred upon them the privilege OF prac
/ icing the rites OF Masonry.
Their charter from the Grand Lodge o
| England was q useless document ID ina
| q violated a weli-estabhshed principe %
! ,rasonic laW-namely: That no GRAM
! Lodge. either in these Unitel states. o.
( any other country. can LEGALLY establish
/ A
xhere a legally-established Grand Lodg
| exists
The State OF Massachusetts, was oceu
Died by Grand Lodge. and the claims o
rhese so-ealled Masons were laughed q
scorn when presented for the considera
ion Of that body. II was this treatmen
On the part OF the Massachusetts Gran
| lodge which led these negro petitioner
/ a proclaim that. They were wholly IN
fenendent OF the white lodges, asked n
fayors OF them. and would have nothin
10 do with them. nor would they adml
white man II he should present him
self as q visitor" And further. 70 issue
declaration OF Independence. In whlc
they assert: we have come 10 the con
ciusion that with what knowledge "
nosse.s OF Masonry and as people q
dior. by ourselves. we are and ought b
rights 10 he free and independent OF an
lodge from this day, and that we vi