AntimasonicAccount
A CHAPTER IN THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS
From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. IX, No. 6, April 1850, p. 161
However uninviting, when viewed as a whole, the history of the late antimasonic excitement in this country may be, there are some events connected with its existence in this Commonwealth, that are worthy of remembrance, and some transactions which grew out of it, that are not altogether unworthy of preservation, as materials for the future history of the Masonic Institution in Massachusetts. Among the latter, we place the surrender of the civil charter of the Grand Lodge of the State, in 1833.
About the year 1816, the Grand Lodge established a permanent "Charity Fund," for the relief of indigent Brethren, their widows and orphan children. The maximum of the fund was fixed at fifty thousand dollars; and, in view of the then prosperous and growing condition of the Institution, it was believed that that amount could in a few years be realized. For its greater security and better management, the Grand Lodge, in 1817, applied to the Legislature for an Act of Incorporation, authorizing the then Grand Master and his associates in office, and their successors, to "take by purchase, gift, grant or otherwise, and hold real estate, not exceeding the value of twenty thousand dollars, and personal estate not exceeding the value of sixty thousand dollars, for charitable uses." The application was successful; and the fund was thenceforth held and conducted under the legal sanctions and securities afforded by the provisions of the Act so obtained.
In the fall of the year 1826, the antimasonic excitement broke out in New York. In the following year it reached Massachusetts. In 1830-1, it had attained its acme, and raged with unmitigated violence and bitterness. It was carried into all the social relations of life,—the ties of friendship and kindred were sundered,—the springs of sympathy were dried up,—confidence between man and man was destroyed,—the demon of madness and persecution ran riot through the community,—the prominent and active members of the Masonic Institution, were thwarted in their business—denied the lawful exercise of their civil franchises,—driven from public offices, from the jury-box, from the churches,— subjected to insolence and contumely,—hunted down as felons; and only saved from assassination through the cowardice of their persecutors. But, conscious of their own blamelessness, and the purity of the principles of their Institution, they remained inflexibly firm in the determination to vindicate the integrity of their characters as Masons and their rights as men—regardless alike of the mistaken timidity of friends and the fiendish denunciations and threatenings of persecutors.
Such was the position of the Fraternity in the State, when the Masons of Boston, were unexpectedly required to vacate the rooms they had occupied for Borne years previously in one of the public buildings of the city. (The " Old State House." The rooms were required for city purposes.) They very naturally felt the importance, if not positive necessity, of providing for themselves a permanent location,—a home, where they might reasonably hope to be allowed to sit down under their own vine and fig tree, in the quiet enjoyment of increased security. The proposition was submitted, and the Grand Lodge resolved to erect a building, which should be sufficiently spacious for its own and the accommodation of the various Masonic bodies in Boston.
In 1830, an eligible lot of land was purchased, at a cost nearly equal to the full amount which the Grand Lodge, by its Act of Incorporation, was authorized to hold in real estate. It was, therefore, readily perceived, that when the proposed structure should be erected, the value of the property would greatly exceed that amount. But entertaining no doubt that the Legislature would so modify its corporate powers as to adapt them to its necessities, the Grand Lodge proceeded to contract for the erection of the building. The corner stone was accordingly laid, in ancient Masonic form, on the 30th October, 1830. The Legislature assembled in the following January. In the course of the session, the Grand Lodge, through its proper officers, presented a petition, praying for such a modification of its civil charter as would enable it to hold an increased amount of real estate, and proportionably less of personal estate. It did not ask for an increase of its legal powers; but for a modification of those it already possessed. It asked for what had probably never previously been denied to any corporation in the record of legislative enactments in this country. The petition was immediately attacked, in violent and abusive language, by the antimasonic members of the House, then amounting to between twenty and thirty in number. It was, however, finally referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, of which the Hon. William Sullivan, of Boston, was the Chairman. Towards the close of the session, that committee reported the modification asked for by the Grand Lodge. But the antimasonic members,—feeling the propriety of the request, and that it could not be denied, consistently with legislative precedents,—had anticipated the character of the report, and prepared themselves with such means as they could command, to defeat its adoption by the House. Petitions and remonstrances had been drawn up by the party managers in Boston, and sent throughout the Commonwealth for signatures ; charging that the Grand Lodge had violated its corporate powers,—that it was a wicked and dangerous association, unworthy of the confidence of the Legislature, and praying that a committee, with power to send for persons and papers, might be appointed to investigate the charges against it,— to examine into all its proceedings,—and, finally, that its Act of Incorporation might be revoked. One object contemplated by this movement, was to get possession of the books and records of the Grand Lodge, and of the subordinate Lodges, acting as its agents, and under its authority as a corporation.
Another, and to these agitators, the more important one, was to obtain the appointment of a select legislative committee of antimasons, with authority to arraign before them, as felons, the leading and distinguished Masons of the State; in the futile hope and expectation, that, through the fear of imprisonment for contempt, and the force of a cunningly devised oath, (understood to be already written,) they should be able to extort from them, a disclosure of the secret ritual of the Institution. Of the accomplishment of both these objects, the antimasons, in and out of the Legislature, spoke with entire confidence,—as a thing certain,—tauntingly boasting that the Masons had voluntarily placed the power in their hands, and they should use it. In this calculation they relied, not upon their own strength, for they were a minority; but upon aid to be drawn from the two leading political parties in the House. In the State, if our memory serve us, (and we narrate wholly from recollection,) the antimasonic party, or faction, held the balance of power,—they at least held it in one or more of the Congressional Districts, and in many of the larger towns. This, they well knew, gave them an importance of which both parties were desirous to avail themselves, and which neither felt itself at liberty to disregard. The Masons, though numerous and powerful, formed no party. But they were men, endowed with common sense and human passions ; and would not be very likely to prefer the interests of any party that should lend itself to their prejudice. This was a counter influence that the antimasonic leaders did not rightly estimate, in calculating the result of the matter at issue. Both the principal parties in the Legislature, held the third party in contempt. Neither entertained respect for its principles, nor for the men who composed it. And yet, from the peculiar position it occupied in the politics of the day, both, while they hated it, were disposed to conciliate its favor. Neither dared opely to side with it, nor to break with it: and they did not care to assume a different relation in respect to Masonry. In view of this state of things, our readers will not be surprised to learn, that when the troublesome question came up for consideration, it was, after a stormy debate of two or three days, driven out of the House, by a motion for indefinite postponement. The petition of the Grand Lodge was rejected.
What was to be done next? The Grand Lodge had, undeniably, exceeded its corporate powers, and thus endangered its property. Had the antimasons succeeded in procuring a revocation of the Act of Incorporation, before the Grand Lodge had provided for ihe security of the property, by sale or otherwise, the title to the latter, in the technical language of the law, would have become derelict,—the legal possession of it would have passed from its rightful owners. The antimasons understood this, and viewed such a result as among the probabilities involved in the issue. The Supreme Court possessed power to relieve the Grand Lodge, in the event of such a result; but it was under no legal constraints to do so ; and, in view of the temper of the times, such a condition of the property was not to be regarded as altogether secure. What then was to be done next? The question was not without its difficulties. To abandon the work, was a proposition not to be entertained; and the building was not in a condition to be disposed of by sale. Besides, to do either, was yielding to the enemy; and this was a humiliation to which the great mass of the Brethren were not prepared to submit They very properly felt that they had been grossly and greviously wronged in their rights and characters. They were not, therefore, then, in a condition to yield anything, either to interest, or policy, or opposition. In these feelings the Grand Lodge generally sympathized with them. But it had important interests at stake; the security of which demanded cautious deliberations and wise counsels. The question came up—Should it trust to a future Legislature for that justice which had been wrongfully withheld from it by the last! The proposition was favorably received,—the work of erecting the Temple was continued; and, in June, 1832, it was solemnly dedicated to Masonic purposes.
But the embarrassments of the Grand Lodge, in respect to the security of the property, now greatly enhanced in value, still remained. Confidence in the future began to waver. The result of a second petition to the Legislature was not to be calculated with any degree of certainty. The excitement had not abated. The antimasonic managers were not idle. Petitions were circulating in every town in the Commonwealth, praying for the revocation of the Act of Incorporation,—and charging the Grand Lodge and Fraternity with every crime in the decalogue, and demanding a Committee, with power to send for persons and papers, to investigate the truth of them. Runners and public lecturers had been employed to traverse the State for the purpose, and it was estimated that at least ten thousand signatures, real and fictitious, had been obtained to these petitions. In addition to this, there was a strong probability,—indeed, a certainty,—that the antimasons would be numerically stronger in the next Legislature than they were in the last. There was, therefore, no sufficient reason to anticipate a favorable result for a second petition. The case had assumed a new aspect. New and vexatious issues had been brought into it. It was no longer the question originally presented.
What then was to be done? The Legislature was to assemble in January. The Grand Lodge was in its power. It had violated the conditions oi its civil charter. Its property was in danger. The inquisitorial committee asked for by its enemies would probably be appointed. (Such a committee was subsequently appointed; but the viper had been stripped of his poison. Summonses were served on the prominent Masons of Boston, by the High Sheriff of Suffolk; but the surrender of the Act of Incorporation of the Grand Lodge, had divested the committee, and the Legislature, of the power to compel attendance.) The prominent Masons of the State would be summoned before them,—an oath proposed, which they would not take,—questions submitted, which they could not, consistently with a proper sense of honor, and, therefore, would not, answer. Imprisonment for contempt was the alternative. Most of the Masons in the city were prepared for this, or did not fear it,—others were not; all desired to avoid the issue, if it could be done without dishonorable sacrifice. How was it to be accomplished1? Councils and extra meetings of the Grand Lodge were held. Various propositions were submitted, debated, and rejected. On the 20th December, nothing had been decided upon. The committee appointed by the Grand Lodge at a previous meeting, reported, that they had not been able to agree upon any course which they could recommend as free from objection. The difficulty arose from an extreme reluctance to meet the case in its only tangible form. There was no fear of personal consequences; but there was'great fear that any action of the Grand Lodge, which should have the appearance of yielding,,might tend to strengthen the hands of its enemies, and discourage its friends throughout the State and nation. The committee having been discharged, the following vote was offered and adopted :—
"Voted, That a committee be appointed to consider the expediency of surrendering the Act of Incorporation of the Grand Lodge, and report at the next meeting."
The Committee was composed of R. W. Francis J. Oliver, Augustus Peabody, Joseph Baker, John Soley, and Charles W. Moore. On the 27th December, they submitted the following Memorial, which was unanimously adopted by the Grand Lodge, without amendment, and ordered to be presented to the Legislature, with the Act of Incorporation.
This Memorial was presented to the Legislature, by the Hon. Stephen White, (formerly of Salem), the a member of the House from Boston. The excitement which follwed immediately on its being presented, is not easily described. There was a spontaneous burst of indignation from the antimason in every part of the House. They had been employed during the summer, and had incurred heavy expenses, in circulating petitions throughout the Commonwealth, in which the Grand Lodge and whole Masonic Fraternity were denounced as conspirators against morals and government.
The petitioners asked that a legal investigation of these scandalous charges might be instituted by the Legislature, - to which body the Grand Lodge, as a corporation - and not otherwise, - was, to some extent, amenable for its acts and doings. The petitions were in the trunks of the antimasonic members, ready at the first favorable moment, to be thrown into the Legislature, by hundreds. The surrender of the Act of Incorporation, if accepted by the Legislature, would render them worthless. The time and money expended in procuring signatures to them, would be lost. The torpedo that was to sweep the whole Masonic Fraternity of Massachusetts from the face of existence would be deprived of its explosive power.
Hence its reception - though the very thing the antimasons had demanded, but least desired - was met by coarse and vindictive opposition. But opposition was unavailing. The leading parties in the House were anxious to avail of any favorable opportunity to get rid of the subject. They felt its embarrassment, and the difficulty of maintaining the neutral position they desired to occupy. The voluntary surrender of its corporate privileges by the Grand Lodge presented that opportunity. Both parties could join in a vote to accept this tendered surrender, without committing themselves. They did so; and though a violent opposition was raised by the antimasonic members, the surrender was accepted.
The authority of the Legislature over the Grand Lodge was at an end. The latter was left to pursue the even tenor of its way, regardless alike of legislative interference and antimasonic impertinence. The property had been previously disposed of to an opulent and confidential Brother, and was secure. It was subsequently reconveyed to a Board of Trustees, chosen by the Grand Lodge; and the Masonic Fraternity of Boston still continue to sit under their own vine and fig tree, in the full and quiet enjoyment of a happy prosperity.
