Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-19
HIGH DEGREE |ASOHS
The Biennial Session. of Scot
fish Rite Body.
REVIEW OF THE. WORK
GRAND COMMANDER RICHARD
SONS BIENNIAL ALLoCUTIoN.
Announces His Purpose of Retiring
From Congress-The Distinguished
Dead Enumerated.

The biennial session of the Supreme Coun-
Gil of the Thirty-th:rd. Degree of Ancient
and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the
Southern Jurisdiction began at the House
OF the Temple, on Sd street northeast. at
10 o'clock this morning. Prominent men,
bers of the Supreme Council have been ar
irving since the first of last week. and
many are in attendance at the opening
session. In addition to the active inspec
tors general, nearly all of whom are pres
ent. many honorary inspectors general and
knights commander of the court of honor
are here
The first business before the Supreme
Council was the biennial allocution or re-
port of Grand Commander James d. Rich
ardson. This was an extended review of
the work of the period elapsing since the
last meeting of the body. Mr.. Richardson
says: "Our beloved rite has greatly pros
pered in the past two years. Our numbers
have increased as never before within the
life of the Supreme Council Many who,
by reason of their ignorance of it's teach
inSs and principles, or prejudices engender-
ed in some unaccOuntable and unreasonable
manner, and who have not heretofore
sought to enter its portals. now swarm
about them, and entreat to be permitted to
enter it's sanctuaries and enlist under its
banners. 1t is especially gratifying that it
Is not to the mere increase in numbers that
we can point with so much pride. but 1t Is
also to the character and personnel. the
habits and attachments, of those who have
been received The best Of all the profess
sions and classes are uniting with u.s. and
studying our morals and philosophy.
The grand commander enumerated the
distinguished dead of the jurisdiction and
paid tributes to the worth Of each. The
list. dates of death included. is follows:
Rufus Ebere Fleming. North Dakota (act-
i've inspector generaD March 20 1862; James
Rudolph Hayden, Washington (actve in
spector generaD, November H. 1902; Aaron
Baldwin. District of Columbia grand tiler).
October 10, 1872: Eugene Grissom. District
of Columbia formerly active inspector gem
eral for North Caroina), July p, 1862; AL
fred Demas. Idaho deputy inspector gen
crab. January H. 1903: Stuart Eldridge
deputy and legate for Japan and China),
November &c. 1901. OF the honorary IN
spectors general twenty-one have died dur
ing the period. including the late John Wes-
ley Ross, Halvor Nelson and William Ed
wards Amin of this city. 70
A resume of his vsitatens was next given
by Grand Commander Richardson. He
made official calls on the Scottish Rite
bodies at Birmingham, Mobile, Little Rock,
Gaithersburg, Guthrie and the Northern Su
preme Council at Providence and again at
Boston. On his visit to Boston he was ac-
NOyes of Washington. The grand COM
mander and Grand Secretary Weber were
elected honorary members Of the Northern
Supreme Council.
Announces Retirement From Politics.
On the important question of his personal
relation to the Supreme Councils and his
membership of Congress- Mr.. Richardson
said ut is a fact well known to you all
that a member of the Congress of the
United States-a position 1 have held for
nearly twenty years. realize now. and
have known for two years, that it was not
possible for me to do all things that the
grand commander of the Southern Supreme
Council should do, and at the same time to
do and perform all the duties and labors of
a member of Congress. Clearly realizing
this fact. the question has been constantly
before me, what shall do? l have repeat
eddy asked myself shall 1 resign from the
office of grand commander, retire from
my seat in Congress? 1 have taken final
counsel of my own Judgment, and have
reached the conclusion. | shall retire from
politics. and whatever of ability and talent
L possess shall be dedicated to the office of
grand commander and to the propagation
of Scottish Masonry. l do not take this
step reluctantly or with the slightest
gret. nor do take it without the fullest
consideration. The only hesitation l have
on the question has been due to a sense of
duty owe to my family, myself and a most
generous constituency, who for SO long a
port and confidence. and who have
| never manifested the disposition to
Withdraw that support and confidence.
or to cease bestowing hOnors upon me.
I
give up an honorable ambition, and voun-
tarily surrender an exalted position. 1t Is
no mean calling nor slight honor to be the
CHOSEN representative of two hundred thou
sand free people in this great republic. But
In taking this step l feel that 1 am pro-
NOTED to more exalted station and l
count myself exceedingly fortunate that
can lay Gown the cares. worries. exactions,
trusts, responsibilities. annOyances, vexa-
tons, anXieties. solicitudess troubles, per-
piexities and burdens of politics. and as
sumo labors and duties that should bring
one contentment. tranquility satisfaction
ease and peace Of mind, in a sphere that is
pleasing and congenial.
The Scottish Rite Degrees.
1.-The necessity for the Scottish Rite de-
grces. said the grand commander, with
their philosophy. moral and intellectual,
and their political and religious truths, is
perhaps greater today than at any time in
the past. The same war exists against
error, blgotry. intolerance and all villaines
and abuses that has been fragrant in the
world from the beginning of time. 1t is the
strenuous enemy of nihilSm socialism,
communism and anarchism and those who
seek to breed revolts and outbreaks against
law and order In all lands will find in 1t
the lmplacable foe. With its grand motto,
liberty. equality and fraternity. it is now a
powerful factor for good in all lands, and
1t is destined to become more potential as
the ages roll on. The battle in behalf of
the great principles of human freedom,
free government. free thought. free speech
and free conscience is still being waged,
and the contest in behalf of the moral
| ctllencies of Masonry, justice. honesty,
temperance. charity and forgiveness of in
juries, has not ended. Men today need to
BE- influenced and restrained in their
items toward each other to an extent never
heretofore surpassed If equaled. Never
was there a time whenJ honesty, sincerity
and good faith between members Of society
were more necessary than in this era of
commercialsm."
Two Millions of Masons.
Taking up the matterri0f other frater-
mites. he continued: "Ishave no intention
OF finding fault with Masons who join other
fraternal societies or orders further than