Indiana Palladium, Volume 2, Number 2, Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, 13 January 1826 — Page 1

EQUALITY OF RIGHTS IS NATURE'S PLAN AND FOLLOWING NATURE IS THE MARCH OF MAN. Barlow. Volume II. LAWRENCEBURGII, INDIANA; FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 132G. Number

Printed and Published on every Friday, BY J. Spencer, M. Gregg, and D. V. Culley; Editors and Proprietors. L. m .. Lg

MASONIC CELEBRATION. We publish below the finished address of Governor Clinton, delivered at Alba ny on the 29th ult. on the occasion of the installation of General Stephen Van RENSEt AER,asGrand Masterof the Grand Lodge. It is such an address as has long been wanted, not only to regulate the conduct and conversation of Masons, but to convince the uninitiated that the idle superstitions and ridiculous mumrnery, sometimes practised by the weaker members of the craft, receive no countenance from men of sense and talents, who, nevertheless, feel it an honor to be clothed in the insignia of an order so valuable in itself, and whose labors of love contribute so much to the promotion of peace on earth and good will to men. Address of Past Grand Master Clinton. Worthy and much respected Brethren'. This solemn and interesting occasion demands from this place an illustration of the principles, the objects, and the tendencies of Free Masonry. Many vol umes have been written, and numerous discourses have been pronounced on this subject. If we were to follow the gra tuitous assumptions and fanciful specula tions of visionary men, in attempting to trace the rise and progress of this ancient institution, we should be involved in the inextricable labyrinths of uncertainty, and lost in the jarring hypotheses of conjecture. Better is it then to sober down our minds to well-established facts, than by giving the reign to erratic imagination, merge the audiance of truth in the obscurity of fable. History and tradition are often adulterated by misrepresentations: beyond them, the ago of fable commences, when no reliance can be placed on writings of the ancients. All history, except the divinej records, before Thucydides, is aprocryphal; and oral tradition is almost entirely destroyed Sz. perverted after the lapse of three generations. At certain periods of human a(Liirs,and in certain stages of society, it occupies the place of written history, and there is even an end to the reign of fable when all that relates to this "great globe and which it inhabits," is enveloped in the mysterious gloom of unexplored and impenitrable antiquity. Enthusiastic friends of our institution have done it much injury, and covered it with much ridicule, by stretching its origin beyond the bounds of credibility. Some have given it an antidiluvian origin, while others have even represented it as coevil with the creation ; some have traced it to the Egyptian priests, and others have discovered its vestiges in the mystical societies of Greece and Rome. The erection of S Momon's temple, the retreats of the Druids, and the cruades to the Holy Land, have been at different times, especially aligned as the sources of its existence. The order harmony, and wonders of creation, the principles of mathematical science, and the produc - tions of architectural skill, have heen ...... ....

confounded with trecmasonry. Vv hen-jot select associations, in the early staever a great philosopher has enlightened; ges of freemasonry, its votaries applied the ancient world, he has been resolved; themselves with great ardor to architecbva sneciesof moral metemnsvehosis oriture and ireometry. This will account

intellectual chemistry, into a freemason; . . i j i .ii . i i . r ' and, in all the secret institutions of anti-i

'quity, the footsteps of lodges have beenisituation in civilized society. A mea - vr traced by the eye of credulity. Archi-'sure then that has been deemed a

r medes, Pythagoras, Euclid, and Vitru-jsure,

iffvius, were, in all probability, not freema sons; and the love of order, the cultiva tion of science, the embellishments of taste, and the sublime and beautiful, 'powers of art, have certainly existed in ancient, as they do now in modern times, without the agency of freemasonry. Our fraternity, has thus suffered under the treatment of well-meaning friends who have undesignedly inflicted more injuries upon it than its most viru

lent enemies. The absurd accounts of.of knowledge toall mankind, & the rights its origin and history, in most of the' of invention have been protected by

books that treat of it, have proceeded! from enthusiasm operating on credulity and the love of marvellous. An imbecile friend often does more injury than an avowed foe. The calumnies of Barruel and Robinson, who labored to con nect our society with the illuminati, and to represent it as inimical to social or der and good government, have been consigned to everlasting contempt, while exaggerated and extravagant friendly accounts and representations continually stare us in the face, and mortify our intellectual discrimination, by ridiculous claims to unlimited antiquity. Nor ought

it to be forgotten, that genuine masonry is adulterated by sophistications foreign from the simplicity and sublimity of its

nature. To this magnificent temple of the Corinthian order, there have beer added Gothic erections, which disfigures its beauty and deranges its symmetry. The adoption in some cases of frivo lous pageantry and fantastic mummery, equally revolting to good taste and genuine masonry, has exposed us to much animadversion: but ourinstitution, clothed with celestial virtue, and armed with the panoply of truth, has defied all the storms of open violence, and resisted all the attacks of insidious imposture; and it will equally triumph over the errors of misguided friendship, which, like the transit of a planet over the disk of the sun, may produce a momentary obscuration, but will instantly leave it in the full radiance of its glory. Although the origin of our fraternity is covered with darkness, and its history is to a great extent obscure, yet we cannot confidently say that it is the most ancient socitev in the world and we are equally certain, that its principles are based on nure morality that its ethics are the ethics of Christianity its doctrines the doctrines of patriotism and brotherly love, and its sentiments the sentiments of exalted benevolence. Up on these points, there can be no doubt. All that is good, and kind, and charita ble, it encourages; all that is vicious and cruel, and oppressive, it reprobates. That charity which is described in the most masterly manner by the eloquent apostle, composes its very ensence, and enters into its vital principles: and every freemason is ready to unite with him in saying, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and angles and have not charity, I am become a9 sounding brass or a tincling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and under stand all mysteries and all knowledge, though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charitv, it prohteth me nothing. Charity sutfereth long, & is kind: Chari ty envieth not: Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puded up: doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh not evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they saall fail; whether there be tongues they shall cease; whether there be knowledge it shall vanish away." How happens it then that our institution has created so much opposition, excited so much jealousy, encoun tered so much proscription, experienced so much persecution. The mysteries which pertain to this fraternity have been the source of much obloquy, and its entire exclusion of the female sex from its communication, has been considered an unjust and rigorous rule. In former times, the arts and sciences had their mysteries. The inventions of the former, and the discoveries of the l itter, were either applied by injdividuals to their own benefit, or thrown unto a common stock for the emolument I . Y . 1 1 I - C ..K - I - r for the exclusion of woman. Such labo-j rious pursuits w?re not adapted to their

was the highest eulogium thatisome other men; but in general, they

would be passed on the sex, and, in vincing this distinguished respect, our!" ancient brethren exhibited that rehncment and courtesy which are always accompanied with a just appreciation of female excellence and delicacy. 1 he secrets of arts and the sciences which were elicited by the researches and employments of the fraternity were cherished for their common benefit; but the art of printing having thrown open the gates government, the utility of secrecy,so fai as it related to intellectual improvement and the enjoyment of its fruits, was in a great degree superseded. There are, however, secrets ot great importance to the brotherhood, which are entirely innocent, neither touching the concerns nor affecting the interests of the uninitiated, nor impugning the doctrines of pure morality, nor the precepts of our holy religion. Secret institutions were not uncommon among the ancients. The Eleusinian, Dionysian, and Panathenaan mysteries; and associations of the Pythagoreans, the

Essenes, and the architects of Ionia, 1 1 .1 ".1 O

were concealed from the uninitiated; & even the women of Rome, celebrated the mysteries of the Bona Dea, in a state of entire seclusion. The Druids had al so their mysteries, and our Indians have also their secret institutions. As secrecy may be enjoined with pure views and for good objects, so it also may be observed, with pernicious intentions and for bad purposes. The doctrines and observances of Christianitv were in the ml last century, ridiculed and caricatured by a secret society in the vicinity of London, composed of choice spirits of wickedness: and, under the cloak of mysterious associations, conspiracies have been formed against freedom and social order. As nothing of this kind can be imputed to freemasonry, it ought to have been patronised instead of being persecu ted; but the suspicious eye of tyranny, always on the watch for victims, affected to see combinations against legitimate government, and the sanguinary hand of vengeance was soon uplifted against us. In every nation in Europe, masonry has passed the ordeal of persecution. The inquisitions havestained it witli blood. Hierarchies have persecuted it. Despotism has pursued it to destruction, and every where, except in this land of liberty, it has felt the unjust arm of tyranical powers: and even here, and in this enlightened age, fanaticism has dared to fulminate its anthemas. The precepts of freemasonry inculcate abstraction from religious and political controversies, and obedience to the existing authorities; and there can be no doubt of the good faith and sincerity of this injunction. And accordingly, the most enlightened Princes of Europe, and among others, Frederick the Great of Prussia, have been members of our fraternity, and have not considered it derogatory from their dignity, or danger ous to their ascendency, to afford it official protection, and personal encourage ment. Rut the truth is, that the prin ciples of freemasonry are hostile to arbi trary power. All brethren are on a le vel, and of course are on an equality with respect to natural rights. The natural equality of mankind, and the rights of man, are not only implied in our doc trine, but the form of our government is strictly republican, and like that of the United States, representative and federal. The officers of the private lodges are annually chosen by the members, and all the lodges are represented in the grand lodge, by their presiding officers and past masters, who elect annually the grand oiheers, and who together with the existing and past grand oificers, con stitute the grand lodge. The lodgus are thus the members, and the grand lodge the head of a society, which by a combination of the representative and federal principles, constitutes a federal republic as to the government of freemasons. It must be obvious then, that an inistitution so republican in its elements, so liberal in its pi inciple,so free in its partial and concentrated combinations, must have excited the apprehensions of arbitrary power, which hasconstantly sought to propitiate it by kindness and condescention, or to annihilate it by fire and sword by banishment and extinction. The celebrated Philosopher John Locke, was much struck with a manuscript of Henry Gth, King of England, 'deposited in the Bodleian library. It is in the form of questions and anvvers, and to the interrogatory, whether masons

tare better than others? It is answered cen-jikSome masons are not so virtuous as

e-jare better than they would have been, they had not been masons' This is unquestionably correct. Masonry su peradds to our other obligations, the strongest ties of connection between it and the cultivation of virtue, and furnishes the most powerful incentives to goodness. A freemason is responsible to his lodge for a course of good conduct, and if he deviates from it, he will be disgraced and expelled. Wherever he goes, he will find a friend in every brother, if he conducts well, and will be shielded against want; and protected against oppression; and he will feel in his own bosom the extatic joys of that heaven born charity, which Dect-nt, modest, easy, knd, Softens the high rd rears theaSjett mind, Lays the rouh p'hs of peevish nature even, And opens in each heart, littW henven All doubts on the exalted principles and suspicious tendencies of freemason ry must be dissipated, when we retro pect to Washington and Franklin. The former was the principal agent in establishing our independence, and securing to us the blessings of a national government. The latter was the great patron

of the arts that administer to the happiI f ' t I I 111 .

ness of individuals, and the prosperity of states, and the head of the philosophv and useful knowledge of the country. Both were patriotic and virtuous men, and neither would have encouraged an institution hostile to morality, religion. good order, and the public welfare. "Washington became at an early period of his life a freemason, and publicly. as well as privately, he invariably evinced the utmost attachment to it. In answer to a complimentary address, when President of the United States, from the m ister wardens, and brethren of King David's lodge, in Rhode Island, he had no hesitation in saying, "Being persuaded that a just application of the principle's mi which the masonic fraternity is founded, must be promotive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall al ways be happy to advance the interest ofj the society, and to-be considered by them as a deserving brother." And in a reply to the grand lodge of Massachusetts, iie explicitly declares, "that under the milder virtues of the heart are highly respected by a society whose liberal i-ri'K ij.les are founded on the immutable laws of truth and justice. To enlarge' continued he "the sphere of social happi ness, i? worthy the benevolent design of a masonic institution, and it is most fervently to he wished, that the conduct of every member of the fraternity, as well as those publications that discover the principles which actuate them, may tend to convii.ee mai.kind lhat the great ob ject of masonry is to promote the happi ness of the hunrian race. Freemasonry owes its introduction into Pennsylvania, to Benjamin Franklin; on the 24th June, 1734, a warrant was granted by the grand lodge of Massachusetts, for holding a lodge in Philadelphia, and appointing him the first master. He cultivated masonry with great zeal, and his partiality suffered no diminution during his long and illustrious life. Lafayette the good Lafayette, the patriot of both hemispheres, was always the devoted friend of freemasonry. He saw in it a constellation of virtues, and wherever he went he took every opportunity of demonstrating his attachment and of expressing his veneration. His countenance has done much good, and has imparted to it no inconsiderable portion of his immense and deserved popularity. Freemasonry, like ail other institutions, has its days of prosperity and adversity its sessions of revivals and depressions and it is believed that when Lafayette left this country, it had never attained a greater altitude of usefulness and general regard. After these illustrious witnesses in favor of our fraternity, let not the dissentions which sometimes prevail, the vicious conduct of some of its members, and the perversions of the institution he adduced as proofs of its intrinsic vices. Although it has received the countenance of the good and the wise of all ages, let it be understood that the character of an institution does not necessarily form the conduct of its members. Good societies may contain unworthy members, Sc bad societies may enrol good men among their members. Christianitv- is often degraded by profligate professors, and the heathen religion has had a Socrates, an Aristides, and a Cato. It cannot be expected that in anv so ciety there will be a perfect accord and congeniality of minds, of taste, and of morals. Hence, differences will some times arise, and if concluded with good temper and candor, will rarely expand into violent convulsions. Wolves will sometimes intrude into the flock, and bad men, under the cloak of goodness, will frequently insinuate themselves into the most excellent associations. For neither man nor angel can discern Ihpocracy, the only evil that walks Invisible, except to God alone; By his permissive will, thro' heaven and earth, And oft, tho wisdom wtkes suspicion sleeps At wisdom's Kate and U simplicity designs her charge, while goodness thinks no il, Where no ill seems In all associations of men there are perturbed and uneasy spirits, who scatter discord and whom "no command can rule nor counsel teach," and who, like the fabled Enceladus, create disturbance and convulsion wherever they move. It is no easy task to withstand the arts of hypocrites and the acts of incendiaries. If our society has sulTered under such influences, it participates in the fate of all assemblies of men; and the feuds which sometimes distract its tranquility arc as often the offspring of well meaning and overbearing zeal, as of perverse and evil designs. That freemasonry is sometimes per verted and applied to the acquisition ofj

political ascendency, of unmerited char ! . . 1 . . . . At

it v, and to Convivial excess, cannot ber disputed; but this is not the fault of the institution, for it inculcates an entire exemption from political and religious controversy. It enforces the virtues of industry and temperance; and it proscribes all attempts to gratify ambition and en pidity, or to exceed the bounds of temperance in convivial enjoyments, under its shade, or through itsi'nslrumentalitv. In lifting the mind above the dungeon 01 the bodv, it venerates the grateful odour of plain and modest virtue, and patrons ses those endowments, which elevate the human character, and adapt it to the high enjoyments of another and a better world. Freemaronry has flourished exceedingly in the United States, and especialI v in this State. In 1 78 1 , a grand lodgs was established in the City of New York, under a charter from the Grand Lodge of England. A few years afierwards aii independent Grand Lodge was instituted; and there are now in the state, near five hundred lodges, and more than 100 chapters. Owing to causes which 1 am unable to explain, and in which I have had no participation, tvv o Grand Lodges have been in existence for a few years. And it will now require the utmost wis dom, moderation, and forbearance of the kigood men and true,' who adorn both establishments, to accomplish a re-unioix on ju-t and reasonable terms, That there are faults, and great faults, involved in this schism, I am fearful, ai d that it is a lamentable commcntarv on our system of brotherh love is U,o obvious. In consequence of my public duties, I have, for a considerable Inne, u ithdrnwn from any active concern in the ailairs of our fraternity, and I have had, of course,' no personal ki.ow ledge of the cruse? of? and actors in, (he prevailing division. In censuring it, I have therefore no reference to particular individuals or lodges; and I hope m st sincerely hope that before the return of another anniversary, the stain may be removed from! our society. Perhaps a new arrangement of the supreme authorities might be advisable, by the creation of provincial or subordinate grand lodges Therer have been two opposing grand lodges in fv gland, and I believe in Scotland, and Ireland, and also in South Carolina, and .Massachusetts, in consequence of the distinction of ancient and modern masonry. Notwithstanding this serious com rover y. the schism has been healed, and a most cordial and complete union has taken place in all these cases, so that wer have no reason to apprehend a loj g duration of a separation which has probably, originated from more trivial and evanescent causes. Most 1 1 orsh ipful Grand Mazier Elect : Accept my cordial rn; gratulatior.s on our elevation to the highest honor ii: masonry. You are now in this region, the head of the most ancien, benevolent, and distinguished society in the world. And I am rejoiced to see such exalted authority deposited in such worthy hands: and I feel assured that no exertion will be omitted on our part-to realize the anticipations of your usefulness, and to justify the high confidence reposed in you. lam pursuaded that you will use every proper endeavour "to re-uriie the great masonic family under one government, to confirm and to extend the influence and reputation of freemasonry, and to propagate those virtues which are identified with its character and essential to the cause of benevolence, charity, and philanthropy. Vour duties are certainly arduous, not important and honourable station? al ways imply great labor, and require much industry and exertion. u will be assisted in your labor, by the enlightened oiheers associated with you, and every worthy brother will raise 1 is voice? and his handi in favor of your efforts and in support of your measures. To preside merely over the forms of a public assembly, requires no uncommon display of intellectual vigor; but the duties of a Grand blaster involve higher topics and momentous considerations. He must be employed in devising ways and means of doing good. In inculcating the virtue3 of our fraternity, and in illustrating by practical demonstration, the beauties of benevolei.ee. His eve must be vigilent in discerning any inroads on our ancient lai d mnisand 's arm must always be ready to protect the institution against intestine convulsions and external hostilities. Your life has hitherto been distinguished for its accordance with masonir virtue. If you carry into your high oke that benevolence which adorns your or vate character, aud that experience ci 3