The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-02-23
mAsoNs ON THE field Of BATTLE
HOW THE INFLUENCE OF THE ORDER soFTENED THE HEARTS
OF MEN pTTED AGAINST ONE ANOTHER IN WAR
(c~harleston News and courier.)

charleston News and Courier.)
All through the pages Of history are
found records of Freemasonry playing
a prominent part IL the affairs of ma
order is perhaps the most cosmopoli-
tan of all secret societies, but among
individuals. The bond existing be-
tween brethren Of this order is so
strong that no differences Of religion
or politics can sever it. A Mason
is Il Mason the world over, no matter
what his creed or race. and when
m Mason meets another, though
they may be sworn enemies accord
ing to views other than Masonry. they
are Immediately at the service Of one
another. This has been proved in
civil and military courts. political
campaigns. deadly wars and religious
controversies. The person of a Ma
son, his wife. his sons and daughters,
his property are all sacred to his fell
low Masons: not only will they re-
frain from injuring any OF his belong
ings. but they will protect them from
another. Volumes have been written
and volumes Yet could be written Of
deeds of hcroism. s~elf-sacrifce and
loving mercy wrought by one Mason
for another. In all the chief wars
Of this country are recorded incidents
that stir the heart and in every cam
paign South Carolina has been we'll
represented on the field of battle by
her Masonic soldiers.
Mockey's History of Freemasonry
in South Carolina" tells us that in
October, It's, the grand lodge met
with a loss in the death nf it's grand
master. Hon. Barned Elliott. He was
a member of the general assembly
J and u io1itarnrt rn1n,a1 -, tI,, re,
tinental artillery corps During the
terrible struggle of the revolution the
lodges has much trouble in keeping
up with their work; however. all that
WAS possible was done to retain the
standing of tho order. OF course. it is
a w~efl-known fact. ever among those
who are not directly connected with
Masonry, that Il first. and perhaps
greatest president, IA a Mason, and
a very ardent Mason.
On December 16. 1s47. General
James Shields. a past master Of Ma
tional Lodge No. IL. in the District
of Columbia. with General ]. A.. Quit
man. a past grand master of the lodge
of Mississippi. were entertained at
dinner by the NJ. w. lodge of South
Carolina. At this dinner the follow
ing address was made by the grand
master. which is a striking example
of the attitude of the Masonic order
in times Of war.
I'm the name of the grand lodge
of South Carolina and OF the mem
bers OF the Masonic fraternity here
present | welcome You among us.
Your Masonic brethren. in common
with your fellow citizens generally.
highly appreciate the services YOU
have rendered to Il common coun-
try. They with pleasure embrace an
opportunity to give expression to their
feelings. Indeed, in recognizing YOU
as brethren. they find an additional
motive for rejoicing in your success.
The Masonic institution. it is true, is
devoted to the cultivation of those
virtues which find their more COM
mon exercise amid the occurrences of
ordinary life. and may seem hostile
to military profession. But nature
has stamped upon the human mind
the principle of self-defense, and un-
der the influence of that principle
Masons may go forth to battle when
me voice OF their country summons
them to he conflict. In the stern
strife Of battle. when life is pitted
against life. the voice of mercy is
st1lled; but who can say tina the as
perities Of war are not mitigated UNI
der the influence of Masonic prin-
ciplcs. or that obligation taken at cv-
cry Masonic altar. of charity for all
mankind. though more especially for
a brother Mason. has not extended a
softening influence over the conduct
OF modern warfare? AS Illustrating
this influence. we'll may we point.
brethren. to the conduct Of the SOL
dlers under your command-no ra-
pine. outrage or conf1agration have
sustained your triumphs.
1t is not only as Masons that We
now greet YOU: We recognize in YOU
the yn111ordo rc v-1,n Inl ~.
u soil through a career Of victory,
which We feel has even elevated the
character of our honored state. The
light reflected from Your bright ex-
ample has illunined the path over
which they rushed to honor and re-
nown. The r soldier will dare,
whenever his commander will lead,
u sons found leaders to follow whom
was honor.
Among this band of citizen SOL
diers u institution had many sons.
and in common with many natural
parents among our citizens we have
to lament the loss of brave spirits
along the plains and before the for
tresses OF Mexico. The gallant But
Ter. their chief: Dickinson, worthy to
be his second. have fallen in the very
arms Of victory. The tear. however,
which We would shed at their loss is
checked by our exultation at their
renown. But I forbear to speak OF
them to those who witnessed their
actions n saw them die.
brethren. we congratulate you up-
on the success which followed your
footsteps during the arduous cam
paign through which you have Just
pressed. Your actions have added to
the reputation of our country, and !
u echo the sentiment which has
been pronounced by our people from
Maine to Mexico-that your names
are enrolled among those of our most
valued Again ] welcome you
within these walls"
Coming down to later times. the fol-
lowing story was related to a reporter
Of the News and Courier by I. w.
Hirsch. a Charlestonian. who is a Ma
son well versed in the activities of the
South Carolina order:
Man" instances are related, as
truisms, when Masonry played an i'm
portant. Cody part during the war,
and h saving of man. a life and re-
lieving many a hardship can be lrac-
OF carnage the unknown brother, pit
ted IN deadly strife against an UNI
known brother endeavoring with all
possible strength to do his soldierly
duty. halts, II practicable. when one
becomes 'hors du combat and at the
risk of his life will step forward to
give his brothers call due heed and
render all available assistance the sur
roundings may afford. An instance Is
related by a major. a Georgian. on
General Grants staff. during the late
Spanish-American war. The major,
by the way, was a Masonic enthusiast
oSN1 ~-At1~ Al -,