The Mankato free press., 1923-09-21
MASONIC LODGES
AREPAYINGHONOR
Members Craft o Observing
Constitution Week
TRIBUTE IS TO MEN
Gladstone Refers To Document
As Most Wonderful
Work Of Man = >

At the request OF the American
Bar Association the week Of Sep
tember nth il being celebrated
throughout the nation as Constitu-
tion Week. Masonic lodges are
taking advantage Of the occasion to
emphasize the patriotic principles
Of the craft and to honor the fam
ous men OF the constitutional con
yention who we're members Of the
Masonic fraternity. y
The Constitutional Convention
met In Philadelphia in February,
IISf, and representatives from All
the states except Rhode Island
we're present. 1,ne convention IN:
the, nation, among whom were
George Washington, Alexander
Hamilton, Roger sherman, James
Madison, Edmund Randolph, George
Read, BENJAMIN Franklin, Rufus
King, EiDridge Gerry, Robert Nor
ris, and General Charles Coates
worth Pickney. It has been esti-
mated that at least Atty OF the
fifty five members OF the copstitu-
tional convention were Masons.
Most Wonderful Work
These were the men, patriots and
statesmen, who wrought out the
the supreme safeguard Of our rights
and liberties. Gladstone speaking
OF this historic document, declared:
THE American constitution Is the
most wonderful work ever struck
OF at given time by the brain and
purpose OF man"
On September II, 1887, the work
of the convention was completed,
and the constitution was signed and
submitted to the consideration Of
the United States In congress as
sembled. In the letter OF subnis-
sion appears the following para
graph: in all our deliberations on
this subject we kept steadily In our
view that which appears to US the
greatest interest Of every true
union in which Is involved our pros
perity, felicity, safety, and perhaps
our national existence.
Stages Passed Throuah
+ The important consideration seri-
ously and deeply impressed on our
minds, led each state in the oonven-
ton to be less rigid on points OF in
ferior magnitude than might have
been otherwise expected: and thus
the constitution which we now pre-
sent Is the result Of spirit of anaity,
and OF that mutual Difference and
concession which the pecuhsrity Of
our political situation rendered In
Idespensable."
The fundamental doctrines of de-
mocracy and liberty embodied, In
the constitution are principles for
which Masonry has always stood. In
all lands freemasonry has dedicated
Its candidates to the lofty teachings
Of freedom Of religion. speech and
education, and popular sovereignty,
and In formulating the fundamental
law OF the new commonwealth the
trainers OF the constitution were
putting into concrete form the ritua-
listic teachings Of the Masonic lodge
room. 49, . - -
Product Of Masons
William A. Sherman, Grand Master
OF Masons Of California. In his pro
clamation setting aside the week of
September IL to be celebrated rs
constitution week in all Calitorria
lodges, says. This marvellous docu-
ment OF human liberty, admittedly a.
product Of Mssons, stands without
an equal. Magma Charta, wrested
from King John at Runnymede, was
ne germ from which was establish
% the recognition OF the rights Of
man: but that historic document
was merely as good seed sown In
the worlds process OF political ey-
oiution. Our forefathers Of reyoiu-
tionAry days Improved and enlarged
suring In our constitution equal
rights to all, and from the spirit IL
displays and the character and af-
lnliation OF the men who evolved Il,
this document has justly been term
ed MasonrYs contribution to the
science Of government and the ad-
vancement Of modern civilization"