The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-28


 into higher and higher spheres. Therefore, the ideals of each succeed ing generation should be higher and higher An ideal must be within the limit of vision. otherwise it is lost. If the vision extends only to the foothills. these are all that are seen. but as these are approached by effort the horizon Is enlarged and the glory and grandeur of the distant mountain 1 is brought into view. And when the ascent of these mountains has been made, the sublimity. grandeur and beauty. limited only by the vision. are | brought into view from every direc- | ton. Ideals are necessary for ! achievements and realities. This is ] true whether applied to mind. matter or spirit. It is equally true for in- dividuals. communities and nations. Since Masonry began 1t has had an ideal for all human aspiration. Scottish Masonry. particularly. is | idealistic in Its purposes and aspira- tions. This is especially true in its ideal of civics. It is neither a theo- cracy. an aristocracy nor an autocra- ey. but Is essentially democracy. The halo that hedgeth king. 1t knows to be a superstition of ignor-, ance and the effect of heredity upon the masses of men. and not . divin- ity that gives to the king rights di- vine and powers intrinsic.
 This ideal is one of law, these laws to be impartial, just and appli- cable to all within their Jurisdiction. Law which has for its purpose spe- cial benefits to the individual or the few, .at the expense and detriment of the many. falls below the ideal A Scottish Mason who advocates and supports an economic policy which if enacted into law would rebound to his special benfit or to the special benefit of a particular class, at the sacrifice of others, violates the prin- ciples of Scottish Masonry and Is not in the direction of its ideal. If. through the operation of an unjust measure or an unjust law or through the maladministration of just law, he should be benefited. knowing that the principles of right and justice in the meantime have been disergarded and equity denied, he Is prohibited from acquiring or holding such ben- efits
 The civic ideal knows no race nationality, sex, age, riches, poverty, fame or obscurity that modifies the purpose and operation of law. On the contrary, law Is an exact criterion for the regulation of the affairs and positions of men. fairly. justly and impartially. It is measure that should be applied fin the same way to an ingot of gold as to a clod of dirt, to the giittering diamond as to the pebble. to the towering mountain as to the mole-hill.
 An Ideal Citizenship.
 Being a democracy, which means a government for, by and of the peo- 1I citizenship-patriotic, honest and in- telligent. It regard the ballot as a sacred trust to be exercised with out fear or favor, personal interests and uninfluenced by unjust ambition. intimidation CT bribery. It would select law makers whose only ambi- tion Is to serve best those whom they represent and whose only guide is a conscientious conviction of duty. It would have the laws thls enacted en- forced and executed. The majesty of tor Is the divinity to be reverenced, observed and maintained. It regards public officers as public trustees. charged with a trust which should be with integrity and fidelity dis charged. It demands q governmental policy the inspiration of which Is the interest of the government and not the interest of the officers of the law. Duty and duty only for public officers Is the civic Ideal of Scottish Masonry. The civic ideal of Scottish Masonry is broder than the interest and ad- vancement of the individual. commit nity, State or nation. It recognizes the fatherhood of God. and the broth erhood of man and that wherever re- lations of man exists, industrial. com mercial and social, whether these re- lations be limited to a community or embrace the bounds of human rela- tionship that justice. fairness and right should always prevail.
 This means that no nation has the right to prosper and grow because of It's power and greatness at the unjust and unfair sacrifice of the rights and equities of others natios; hence. the civic ideal of Scottish Masonry means broad, humane and fair foreign pol icy. A civil government operated in accordance with the civic ideal of Scottish Masonry is a fair, just and honest government. It gives to all men the privilege to choose and ob- serve his God, according to his con- science. 1t denies to no man equal op- portunity or protection because of his choice. belief or creed. nor does 1t ac- cord to any of these special privileges or prerogatives. It recognizes the natural differences among the races and nations of man but it makes no difference among these in the protec- ton of their lives. liberty and pursuit of happiness.
 'T'pon this beautiful ideal. there is no commercial, national sectional or sectarian prejudice. On the contrary, In the enactment and administration of law. justice and equity alone should be the object and purpose"
 During the dinner. an excellent orchestra rendered music.
 With the banquet closed the reunion, most of the delegates returning to their homes this morning. The reunion Is regarded as one of the most successful in the history of Scottish Rite Masonry in Alabama