THE AMERICAN FREEMASONS AND THE CIVIL WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 967, 15 February 1862, Page 5

THE AMERICAN FREEMASONS AND THE CIVIL WAR.

The following is the reply of the Grand Lodge of Philadelphia to the circular letter, of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee:— "To the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Officers of the Grand Lodge of Teenpssee. ■ "Masonry teaches lessons for all peoples and all times and all epochs in history, past or future. Every masonic principle, all its virtues, each of its benefits, have been sanctified by time. They have been ripened into good fruits by the aid, approbation, and support of the wise, virtuous, and patriotic of every commonwealth. "Masonry is a sovereignty and a law unto itself. Wherever existing, it is occupied with the permanence, universality, and integrity of its own organic laws and usages. The mission of masonry is not either imperrilled or hindered by such condjtions of society. The claims of a'brother are not dissolved by war, pestilence, or famine; the tie once formed is only sundered by death. In gloom and despair, in want, distress, and peril, the life of masonic principles is neither endangered nor attacked. The roar of the whirlwind cannot render the cry of a brother inaudible, nor the darkness of civil war prevent the destitution of a brother from being seen. "As to the present deplorable state of the country, masons cannot fail to have opinions as to the cause that produced it. It is to be feared that some of our brethren are in arms against the union of the States; others are in the ranks of its defenders. Taught by the history of the order that resistance to its government is indefensible, they have carried these principles into the formation of opinions on the present crisis in our national historv v But while masons, as individuals, have been thus influenced, and are acting in harmony with such views, freemasonry is a silent, unimpassioned. abstracted observer of events. It is hardly possible that a fraternity which has on its roll the names of the father of American liberty and independence could be other than deeply impressed with the present relation betweens heirs of such a glorious inheritance. "Brethren, these are the thoughts we cannot bridle, and almost force their way without the will, and to which your circular letter has given utterance. The Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, for which we speak, fraternally salutes yon, and the brethren under your jurisdiction. One of the earliest and most consistently followed duties of this Grand Lodge lias been to stand by and defend our ancient landmarks. Those who are familiar with its history know she has gone through trials in support of this organic article of masonic faith. In times of prosperity and peace but little courage is required to perform duties ever so imperative. Now, or whenever this or any masonic duty is to be discharged in the face of stern exigencies or unaccustomed perplexity or peril, the R. W. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania hopes and believes she will not be found less faithful nor more unwilling, than any of the sister sovereigns of the craft around the world. _ i "Brethren, we with you deplore the unnatural' and deeply distressing condition of our national affairs. Civil strife cannot be the outgrowth of the principles and victories of that great epoch in the history of mankind known as the war of 1776. We have a hope and a faith that the God of our fathers will behold their children in their affliction, and be merciful, bless, protect, and preserve them, and say to them "Peace, be still." But if-this voice is not heard, if the fire in the bush is not seen as a monition, and the whirlwind threatens to overwhelm us, yet in this last extremity the still small voice of masonic faith will be uttered and heard, saying, Brethren, there is help at hand in this time of need.

"Brethren, thus'we feel justified in answering your cry to the craft contained in the circular letter sent to us. We feel it just and proper to conclude these thoughts .with the reiteration of the views we presented to the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania which has carefully watched the course of our country's troubles, and pointed in advance to the panoplied protection which masonry holds over the brethren of all lands. " Surely your God is our God, your faith our faith, your landmarks our landmarks, your joy our joy, your prosperity our satisfaction. Then let us unitedly work together for the preservation and perpetuity of a common inheritance. It may be thereby we will aid in maintaining unity, peace, and concord among the brethren and citizens of united sovereign states in our glorious Union. If all bonds should be broken, all ties rent asunder—if discord, dissension, and disruption shall mark the decline and fall of the most wise and wonderful of the governments of mankind, let the masonic temple, in all states, kingdoms, lands, peoples, or confederacies be the common refuge of an indestructible masonic confraternity." " On behalf of the Committee of Correspondence of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, "Richard Vacx, Chairman. "Philadelphia, 13. A.L. 5861." — Hampshire Advertiser, July 6.