San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-07
BY CHARLES FORREST.

/
New York, Oct. GA sharp differ.
ence of opinion has arisen between
Scottish Rite Masons Of the North
and South over the traditional Ameri-
can freemason policy of holding aloof,
as an organization, from political
issues. Masons of the South, their
northern brothers think, have been
going i'll too much of late for politics,
in emulation of European free mason
ry.
The northern group already is TAX
ing steps to counterad the tendency,
or at least TO make clear that they
are not participants, or in sympathy
with it, although just how far the
southern group is prepared to go will
not be clear until after the meeting
OF the Supreme Council of the South
ern Jurisdiction in Washington, 0cto-
her 1920
The issue appears to have risen pri.
marily over the Towner- Sterling bill.
providing for federal department of
education, but it is not at all certain
that the Ku Klux Khan which is fast
becoming a national political ISSUE
is not also involved.
No Action Yet.
The Scottish Rite Masons of the
Southern Jurisdiction for some
months have been warmly espousing
the Demonstrating bill which is Bit
terly opposed by Catholics on ground
that it aims severe blows at the paro-
chiol school system. While their sup
port has been mainly informal TO date,
word recently was born to the North.
ern Jurisdiction that the Southern
Jurisdiction was expected at its meet
ing in Washington to declare formally
for the bill.
The Supreme Council of the North
ern Jurisdiction which met here re-
Gently took prompt action on the re-
port with resolution declaring itself
unalterably opposed to any participa-
ton by masonry, as an organization
in politics.
"This supreme council" the resolu.
ton reads, "affirms its answering
loyalty to the fundamental purpose
and principle of free masonry. 1t I'M
derstands that purpose to the i'm
provement and strengthening of the
character of the individual man and
through the individual of the commun-
ity.
Principles, Not Programs.
at believes that this purpose is to
be attained by laying~a broad basis
of principle upon which men of every
race, country, sect and opinion may
unite. rather than by setting up a
restricted platform upon which only
those of certain races, creeds and
opinions can assemble.
Believing that good and wise men
can be trusted to act well and wise
ly, it considers it the duty of the fra
ternity to impress upon its members
the principles of personal righteous
ness and personal responsibility to en-
tighten them as to those things which
make for human welfare and to in
spire them with that feeling of char
ity, or well-wishing, toward all man.
kind which will move them to trans
late principle and conviction into &C.
ton.
"To that end it teaches and stands
for the worship of God for truth and
Justice. liberty and enlightenment,
fraternity and philanthropy. 1t be-
lieves in principles rather than pro-
grams. Principles unite men: pro-
grams divide them. Men may agree on
principles without agreeing upon their
particular application to some speci-
fic problem.
Nothing can be more important
than the preservation of the essential
and permanent sympathy and unity of
purpose of those who are unable to
agree as to the wisest action under
special and temporary conditions. 1t is
Of the essence of freemasonry that
this unity be preserved.
Dangerous to Order.
Believing this, this supreme coun-
Gil affirms its continued adherence to
that ancient and approved rule of
freemasOnry in America which for
bids the discussion within tyled doors.
of creeds. politics or other topics apt
to excite personal animosities.
at further affirms its conviction
that it is not only contrary to the
principles of freemason-
ny. but exceedingly dangero@ to the
unity. strength. usefulness and vel
fare of the order for Masonic bodies
in their official capacity to take
formal action or attempt to exercise
pressure OF influence for or against
any political project or proposal or in
any way attempt TO influence magis-
trates and officials whether or not
members of the fraternity in the per
formance of their official duties"
Explaining the resolution. Robert
A r.