The National tribune., 1900-05-03

Gauss and tae wrongs viii be fully judged
by the future historian. atid Ullgu tlils page
OF Impartial history Is written-.til7 dark
record Of a Nation torn rs couigudius
factionS-rent aSunder 10y auInloSitles
engendered by fierce conflicts and the rage
of battle-precious lives destroyed, with
ruined cities and devastated firesides-
tears of bitter anG' SSh will fall upon the
leaf of Nation disgraced, and if possible
blot it out forever. ----.-
While it is no part of our duty to investi-
gate the causes that have produced the
present state of antagoniSm in political
affairs, neither is it our province to suggest
remedy. But as MaSons-as members
of common brotherhood-as brethren
bound together by fraternal ties that are
not broken save by the hand Of death, we
can safely appeal for cessation of the un-
us, and whose Surglng pillows threaten to
overwhelm all in n common destruction
We therefore confidently appeal to the
100000 MaSonS of our land to step forwaTt.
and, pouring the Oil of peace upon the
troubled waters of civil war, roll back the
raging tide, and in one united demand
make Their voices heard in arreStng the
terrible havocs of fraternal strife. Is it
possible, that in this enlightened age
this age of Christian progress, of advance
ment in all the arts and sciences of civilized
lne-there are none TO step forward whose
voices shall be sufficiently potent to stay
the madness of the hour, and compel q
peaceful solution of the issues now pre-
Sented for the consideration of a people
whose freedom has been the pride and boast
of an admiring world? Shall the alternative
be presented of section arrayed against
section-shall We be compelled, both North
and South, 10 listen to the tread of armed
leglonS, whose swords are even now ready
30 leap from their scabbards for the purpose
of being bathed in the blood of those who
should. by every tie of interest and con-
sanguinity, be linked together in bonds
stronger than those forged with brass and
steel? And when the contest is ended
as end it must-what will be gained by the
victOrs? What mind will be able to count
the cost of thousands upon thousands of
precious lives sacrificed in the horrible
contest, the cries of widows and orphans
rising night and morn to heaYen-mothers
weeping in bitter anguish over the dead
bodies of loved ones laid in the dust by the
hands of a merciess Observation-Disclosures
ruins of once happy h0g'es-devastated
fields, where once peace smiled upon the
husbandman-th helpleSsneSS
of childhood even affordtng no barriers 10
the destructive march Of oGntending armies.
And then, end as ii may, the victory viii
be attained at a sacrifice of human life that
will cause the stoutest heart to tremble in
deepest anguish. Let the battle once com
mence, and who may live TO see its termina
ton?
Considering all these things-the bless
ings of peace, and the horrors of domestic
warts there no appeal that can beeffect-
ual for peace? VIII you not add your
earnest efforts for peaceful solution and
settlement of all the questions now agitat-
ing the minds of the people of every section?
We appeal to you and through you TO the
thousand of MaSons in your jurisdiction,
TO stop ths effusion of blood ,;hile yet they
this shall be accomplished. AS Masons
we make no decision as to who is right or
wrong. or as to the proper course to be pur-
sued for securing the object we have so
deeply at heart. Restore peace to our un-
happy country, and surely Heaven will
bless every faithful effort towards its ac-
But if all efforts fail-if every appeal for
peace shall be thrust aside-if the sword
must still be the last resort and accepted as
the final arbiter-we beSeech the brethren
engaged in the awful contest to remember
that a fallen foe is still a brother and as
such is entitled to Warmest Sympathies and
kindliest attentions. If war cannot be
ayerted or turned aside, let every brother
use his utmost endeavors, and, as far as
lies in his power, rob it of some of its horrors.
While each Is true to his sense of public and
patriotic duty, on whichever side he may
be arrayed, we earnestly urge that he shall
aLSO iUC titEoc tedCIl-
ings incuicated in our Order.
Praying that God, in His infinite mercy,
may yet incline the hearts of His people to
ways of peace and paths of pleasantness,
and that He may dissipate and disperse the
stormcloud of destruction whieh-sserns to
hang so fearfully over US, we subscribe
ourselves, faithfully and fratesnalIy in the
bonds of Masonry,
JAMES McCALIUM, KIT. NJ. W. Grand
Master of Grand Lodge.
JOHN F. SLOWER. II. W. Deputy Grand
Master of Grand Lodge.
LUCIUS J. POLK, K. T., r. E. Grand |
Commander Grand Commandery.
THoS. MCCULLOCH, K. T., p. G. Master |
If Grand Lodge.
ARCHELAUs NJ HUGHES. X. T.. P. G.
Master of Grand Lodge; ?. G. II. Priest of |
Grand Chapter.
CHAS. A. FULLER, K T., 32d Degree,
Z. G. Master of Grand Lodge; p. G.. II. |
Priest of Grand Chapter; Z. G. Commander |
IL Grand Commandery.
JOHN MCCLELLAND, X. r. 32d Degree,
". Master Of Cumberland Lodge, No. 8.
The Discerd Of Life. It is a safe