Year: 1861

CIlslh HOW IHiilllneHt III Tue country, anu
deprecating any estrangement Of broth
ery feeling between different sections,
unanimously adopted the following report
and resolutions:


To the NJ. w. G. L.:


The committee to whom was referred
so much of the NJ. w. Grand Master
address as relates to the Union respect
fully report:


That while in our opinion neither this
q. H., or any subordinate, or any Mason,
as such, should interfere in any way with
the political faith or opinions of any
party or set of men,-but the broad man
tie of Masonic charity should extend To,
shield and protect from calumny and
abuse, our brethren wherever situated
throughout the globe yet we believe a
crisis may arise which will demand of all
good Masons to show by their acts and
words OF counsel and admonton, as well
as by precept, that they are quiet and
peaccablc citizens, true to their govern
ment and just to their country.


This Grand Lodge, rs well as its sub
ordnates, is composed Of members differ
ing in mere political opinions but bound
together, and with their brethren every
where, by the ties of brotherhood which
know no party, sect or country, and
which animate with equal ardor the
heart of him who lives in the sunny cline
of the South as of him who resides amid
the SHOWS of the North. a crisis such
as we have referred to, many good and
patriotic men believe, now exists, and
we may not shut our eyes to the dlSas
trous consequences which would not fail
to flow from the permanent weakening
or overthrow Of that great temple OF hui
man liberty raised and cemented by the
blood of our fathers Whether we were
born under tho constellation of the
Union, or have adopted this country as
our home and the home of our posterIty,
we cannot as Mssons or as men, be indii-
iercnt to the past history OF our nation, or
the glorious prospect winch that history
until recently seemed to ordain for its
future. We look back with pride and
gratitude to our revered brother, Wash
ington, whose memory is enbal ned in
the hearts of his comtrymen, and we
hold in reverence the sacred place where
lie the remains of him who was an Orna-
ment to the craft and race and with
hearts gushing with llatcrnal affection,
we here, in this hall devoted to brothcrly
love, rehcf and truth, pledge ourselves,
and appeal to our brethrea everywhere
throughout this broad land of ours, in the
name Of him whose ashes rcpose i'll the
hallowed tomb at Mount Vernon, to join
with us IN nnccaSing peacea6le effort and
constant invocation to the great Arch-
tect of the universe to allay party strife
and to strengthen the bonus of fratcrnal
love, to save us from the dangers which
have or may threaten the destruction of
that temple of liberty erected by our
sires, and so To cement and bind us all
together III the lour-told cord that can
not be broken; that the keystone may
be secured in the arch of our Federal
compact, and future generations unite in
singing praises to tho good men and
patriots who laid so broad and deep the
foundations of that temple although the
floods came and the winds blew and beat
upon it, yet it fell no. for it was founded
upon rock.


The members Of this Grand Lodge
listened to the stirring words of affection
from our respected l.. G.. NJ. Rob Morris,
OF Kentucky, and were deeply moved at
his touching illusions to the friendly
feelings which have heretofore existed
between the sons of his State and ours,
whose blood in time past mingled ON the
same field in defence of our national
liberties; and in common with linn we
unite in friendly greetings to our broth.
crS throughout the States of this Con-
fcdcracy, aud appeal to them, by the
hallowed memories of the past and the
brilliant hopes we have so long enter
tanned for the future of our beloved land,
to unite in unceasing cifprts for the per-
manont good, welfare and prosperity Of
our common country, and, with its future
and perpetual Union, for the elevation Of
our ancient and tine-honored institution,
and the perfection of that beautiful morae
temple within whose walls is heard con-
tinual thanksgivings to the Grand Mas
ter Of the universe, to whom we are in
debted for all the blessings we enjoy


All of which is respectfully submitted,
with the accompanying preamble and
resolutions, of which we recommend the
adoption:


Whereos, As it pleased kind Provi-
dcnce through the blood and sufterings
of our fathers, to confer upon our country
the blessings of peace and liberty, and to
enable them, through wise and patriotic
counsel, to form government based
upon the broadcst principles of human
freedom, and which secures exact aud
equal Justice to all


And rs we deem the privileges which
we enjoy under our present form of gov
ernmont to be of incstimable value, aud
are anxious to transmit them unimpaircd
to our postcrity as most precious
legacy;


Aud as we regard with the dcepcs, de-
votion the bonds which bind together the
various States of our Union, and cannot
contemplate, except with horror, the
dircful evils of scparation;


a =. -. Il l. A I. A A..