New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-05
nrn.rRs AS AfAsoNs.

AZ. Fairbanks's initiation as Free Mason since
BIS election 70 the vlcePresidency and HIS aomis-
ion % the chapter degrees the other day oy virtue
Of special dispensaton have served 10 call stten-
fiop % the fact that quite number Of Viee-Fres-
dents OF the United States have Joined the craft
after their assumption Of the second highest dig
mtg IN the Official hierarchy OF the United states
AT The sane time II may be pointed out that IN
most Of the Protestant monsrchies OF Europe the
SOVEREIGN Is a Tree Mason and the heir apparent
n high dignitary, and sometimes the grand master
Of the craft Now the Vice-President is, after
nj The heir presumptive. If not the heir apparent
10 the Chief Magistracy Of the Republic
king Edward grand master Of British Free
aEssons for nearly thirty years prior 10 his Access
sion 10 the throne. and on succeeding TO The crown
surrendered his Office 10 his orother' the
Duke Of Connaugflt, the Prince OF Wales, however
p,oleinr high rank in Masonry. IN Sweden ana
Norway the Crown Prince Of Sweden holds the
Grand raastershp OF the craft, which was filled by
Flang Oscar during the reign OF his elder brother
and predecessor on the throne. In Denmark u IS
Ehe Crown Prince who is at the head OF the Grard
orient and al the sons and adult granosons 81
Rhe King are Masons. IN Germany Il was the late
Emperor Frederick who the grand master
IRON 1870 until the time Of his DEATH and when
the present Kaiser succeeded 70 the eroWn' his
son being a mere child. he nominated his brother
an-law. Prince Frederick Leopold. 10 the grand
Enastership.
Emperor Napoleon III was Free Mason OF the
italian Rite and endeavored 10 counteract the ten
AGENCY Of French AIssons 10 radcalsn and republi-
sCauisrn BY getting his cousin. Prince GuraG ap-
pointed grand master Of the Grand Orient OF
France But his efforts 81 this direction were doomed
10 failure and Il was the Masonic element in
tFrenoh politics which contributed more than any
F1hing else TO the overthrow OF the empire. In
france to-day the President OF the Senate NJ Bal
ilieres and the dignitary Of the republic who ranks
Immediately next 10 President LOubet holds high
oce in the Grand Orient OF France and, Of course
~ Isoubet himself is a member Of the craft
II IS only fair 10 add that. whereas IN England.
Germany Scandinavia and the Netherlands Ma
sorry is entirely non-poucal il character and ac-
lxnowiedges the Divinity the Grand Architect OF
the Universe IN France. Italy and. indeed. in all
the Latin countries the tendency Of the craft is
not merely political but exceedingly hostile 10 the
Roman Catholic Church. II is for this reason that
the Roman Catholic Church has taken strong
stand against FTeemasonTy and. il dnds it din
cult 10 discriminate between the various Orients.
81 has placed the entire craft under its ban.
II IS interesting TO add that the vast majority
90 the Presidents OF the United States from George
washington down 70 Theodore Roosevelt, have been
Free 1Iasons a notable exception, however. being
John Quincy Adams. who talked and wrote against
the order with much V5gor: and II mentioned
i5he other day that recent poll OF the two houses
of Congress had revealed the fact that 81 per cent
sOf lie members OF the lower house and 50 cent
acf the members Of the Senate belonged TO the
craft