Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-02-27
MASONS IN WAR.
Great Brotherhood Has Softened the
Hearts of Mortal Foes.

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found records of Free Masonry play
ing a prominent part in the affairs Of
nations, not in an official way, for this
order Is perhaps the most cosmopoli-
ltan of all secret societies, but among
individuals. The bond existing be-
tween brethren of this order Is so
lstrong that no differences Of religion
lor politics can sever 1t. A Mason Is
a Mason the world over, no matter
what his creed or race, and when one
Mason meets another. though they
may be sworn enemies according to
views other than Masonry. they are
Immediately at the service Of one an
other. This has been proven in civil
and military courts, political cam
paigns, deadly wars and religious
controversies. The person Of 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 heroism, self-sacrifice 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 well
represented on the field Of battle by
her Masonic soldiers.
Mackeys History of Free Masonry
in South Carolina tells us that In Oc-
tober, 1878, the Grand Lodge met
with a loss In the death of its grand
master, the Hon. Barned Elliott. He
was a member of the general assem-
bly, and a lieutenant colonel In the
Continental artillery corps. During
the terrible struggle Of the Revolu-
ton the lodges had much trouble In
keeping up their work; however, all
that was possible was done to retain
the standing Of the order. or course,
1t is a well-known fact, even among
those who are not directly connected
with Masonry, that our first, and per-
haps greatest president, was Mason,
and a very ardent Mason.
Masons In War.
On December 16, in 1847, 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 M. 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 the times of war:
I'm the name of the grand lodge OF
South Carolina and Of the members OF
the Masonic fraternity here present I
welcome you among US. Your Ma
sonic brethren, In common with your
fellow citizens generally. highly ap-
preciate the services you have render
ed to our common country. They with
pleasure embrace an opportunity to
give expression to their feelings In
deed, in recognizing you as brethren,
they find an additional motive for re-
joicing in your success. The Masonic
institution, 1t is true, is devoted to
the cultivation Of those virtues which
find their more common exercise amid
the occurrences Of ordinary life and
may seem hostile to military profess
sion. But nature has stamped upon
the human mind the principle OF self
defense, and, under the influence OF
that principle Masons may go forth 70
battle when the voice Of their country
summons them to the conflict. In the
stern strife of battle, when life Is
pitted against life, the voice Of mercy
Is stilled; but who can say that the
asperities of war are not mitigated
under the influence Of Masonic prin-
ciples, or that obligation taken at ev-
ery Masonic altar, Of charity for all
mankind, though especially OF q
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
diers under your command-no ra-
pine, outrage or conflagration have
sustained your triumphs.
1T is not only as Masons that we
now greet you; we recognize In you
the commanders who led the sons OF
our soil through q career or victory
which we feel has ever elevated the
character OF our honored state. The
light reflected from your bright ex-
ample has illumined the path over
which they rushed to honor and re-
nown. The true soldier will dare
whenever his commander will lead,
and at Churubusco and Chapultepec
our sons found leaders, to follow whom
was honor.
among the band Of citizen SOL
diers our 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 fortresses OF
lie cotiS''
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 and 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
passed. Your actions have added to
the reputation Of our country. and /
but 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 sons Again I welcome you
within these walls"
A Charleston Mason's Story.
Coming down to later times, the fol-
lowing story was related to reporter
Of the News and Courier by Mr.. I. w.
Hirsch, a Charlestonian. who Is Ma