Middlebury Free Press 1831-1837 from Middlebury, Vermont • 2

Vi Here, fellow citizens is a contest for prin REMEMBER that they Teflulro the e-lector to vote, not according td his oath as free-man, but as the member Of a secret confederacy. REMEMBER that the Grand Master tbe dread punishment its crimes sojustf merit. Think of these things, fellow citizen we entreat you, and in view of them, ask yourselves whether as couscientious and loyal citizons, you can do otherwise tl.au cast your vote for the abolishment of sueu an institution, by bestowing your suffrage upon those who have openly and fearlessly, in the face of pow.r and reproach, ar yzx. Th9 renunciation of freemasonry, by this gentleman, which wa have tha pleasure of copying from the Middle-town Sentinel, must be read with deep interest, not only end decided anti even by a3JRING It is an anneal which must strike home is given us as thu rule and guide ot uur faith yet i it name of Christ is never to tha ..1 of every Christian mason. heart in the LoJae.

Vue Bible commands us to oiler all out prayers to Cod, Tnose, ifthire be any such, who can tha name of Christ but in the Lodge, no piwyer is offered the name of this read tun anpeal, and reflect from whom only Jled.ator. The Bible tells us, that the only way ot access to the throne ot it comes and under whet circumstance Jen avail, is -ugh the atonement of the Redeemer but the meson tu the Lodge nndW rjjf.es into tho presence of God, without an intercessor, I or one acquaintd with Christianity, to appear in the presence of God without a Mediator, is an abomination in the sight of the Lord it is as though one offered swines flesh and human sacrifice upon the altar of the Temple. God ha told us, Thera is none other name given under Heaven, whereby we can be saved, but the name of Jesus and yet, ither in the prayers used in the Lodge, nor on public occasions, nor at the funerals of masons, is the name of Jesus ever heard. Call to mind these facts reflect upon the whole character of your In-titution and then ak, is it, can it be, an In; titution well pleasing in the sight of God 1 Can thoeo cl you who are professing Christians, enter your closets, and on your knees ask Jehovah, for Christ sake, to bless the Lodge to im rease and prosper it I have now, brethren, given you the outlines of those reasons which have induced me to renounce Masonry. Should it please God to continue mo in life and give me strength, I may hcreaflcr furnish you iny reasons in detail.

I pray you, brethren, to examine what I have written to reflect upon the nature of yur Institution to compare its principles with the principles of our holy religion to pray earnestly for the Divine guidance and dnection and to act as those that must give account to God. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and thp power of his grace, beseeching Him to grant you the wisdom that cometh down from above, to enlighten your understandings-in the knowledge of truth to grant you grace to act without the fear of man and to live in the fear of God to guide yon by his counsel, through life to support you in death and to give you a glorious immortality bevond'the grave through our only Mediator, Jesus Christ. CIIAUNCEY WHITTLESEY. RENUNCIATION. From the Middlctoim Sentinel.

enter tha Lodge, the Bible is given to us as I 1 the peculiar doctrines of the Bible are banished from theLddge. The Bible teaches that all mankind are our brethren, and are entitled to onr charities but the charity of the Lodge is limited to masons and their tamihes. Christ has said, Swear not at all but in the Lodge, oath after oath, of the most awful charac- the guide add rule of our faith Yet' VM A 4 rt A A IM A 1 Im t. 1 A rovnrBSirsvi BUBBLES UR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER ANTI-MASONIC republican ticket. For Governor WILLIAM A.

PALMER, of Danville. For Lieut Governor LEBBEUS EDGERTON, of Randolph. For Treasurer AUGUSTINE CLARKE, of Danville. Coufrillors. ABRAM C.

SHELDON, JOHN AIKIN, ZIMRI HOWE, SAML C. LOVELAND, SAMUEL S. PIIELFS, DANIEL COBB, TRUMAN GALUBIIA, JAMES DAVIS, BENJ. F. DEMING, IRA H.

ALLEN, HENRY F. JANES, ciple for liberty for the safety and purity of our own matchless government and constitution. Here is a contest of the people, unshackled in their opinions and in tho exercise of their constitutional i0f righls, against the members and supporters of a society which seeks the security of a guarded conclave for its deliberations and the cover of night and darkness for its deeds. Freemen of Vermont on which side of this contest are you found? Are you arrayed in favor of the people hiM of equal rights, or iu favor of aristocracy, monopoly and murderous free-masoury Can you in the face of heaven anil with your bands upon your hearts, declare that you believe that free masonry is not a curse to your country and a blot upon its escutcheon If not wipe off that blot and banish that curse. Cun you in view of your oath ns electors, cast yor votes for those who either directly or indirectly give their names, their talents, anil their influence to sustain free masonry If not, cast your votes for those who ure striving openly and hon-Mliy to destroy it.

Where, we ask, is tho father who would $9 willing to see his son, at tiie present tuns, wending ids way to the lodge room to go through with the ceremonies aud take upon himself the oaths and submit himself to the penalties of masonry, and Would not tell him, as he loved the spirit aud feelings of a freeman us he considered himself a Christian and a man, to go no further, to flee from its embrace anil pollution Such a father is not to be found. What father then, will not deposit bis vote to rid the land of the seducer which has caught, and deceived, nnd tramelled nnd destroyed the youth of our country under the mantle of mystery and garb of morality and virtue Where is the son, who would willlingy and without a pang, see his father degraded, pilfered, and shackled by the rites, deception and ontlis of free masonry No where. What son then, will uso bis privilege as an elector to perpetuate free-tna-sonry in the land? Wlmt old man, us lie stands on the verge of the grave, would wish to leave his children aud his countrymen, without bearing his testimony against tho wickedness and corruption of free-mnsenry And will any aged father among our citizens hesitate to cotne up nud cast his vote against the supporters and advocates of this institution, thus bearing testimony tlmt he Wills its banishment from the country? Wq trust there is not one, unshackled by masonic obligations, tlmt will not do it. What young man who considers himself the property of his country, who lias any hope or ambition of being its defender or ornament, who feels himself a freeman, and has any respect for himself as a mail and as a man of independence and principle, would not think lie was sacrificing his integrity, his usefulness, his freedom and his self respect, by kneeling at the altar of masonry, receiving its obligations and uttering its dreadful imprecations? In what friend or companion would he sanction such things? What young man we ask again, would not shudder to think of becoming now a member of the masonic institution? What young man, as he values the liberty of which free-masonry would rob him, ns he values the integrity nnd happiness of his fellows, will not en-ter the lists iu the vigor of bis days and the ingenuousness of youthful enthusiasm, to combat und destroy this moral vnmpyre which lias crept foiih rom the infidel cluirncl house of revolutionary France, and lias been draining the life blood of our country by making Its victims the youth and flower of the land? Wlmt freeman would think now of submitting iiimseif to the embrace and fellowship of the masonic institution Wliat freeman would not shrink instinctly from the idea of becoming its sworn devotee? And what freeman tlieij, it there, tnat will not use his right as a freeman to levt; with the dust this gigantic confederacy which lias made so many fellow citizens slaves to its will and slaves to its awful vinvs Wo call upon yon, then, citizens of Vermont hy every tie which hinds you toyour government and to one another in the relations of hie, to array yourselves against the masonic institution iu defence of the laws of your country Hlll defence of jour own rights and those of your posterity. Weigh well the principles of the contest he not deceived by false accusations or shallow evasions judge calmly and candidly between free-maSonry und your country, and seal your decision at the ballot box.

The times admit of no hesitation or wavering they require decision and action free-mnsonry lias been proved guilty nt the liar of public opinion, ami at the bar of justice, of treason against the state, shall free-mnsonry go unpunished Shall its power not he prostrated its temples demolished' and the depp foundations of its iniquity broken up? It slmll--it must. FfelloW citizens, when you come to tho polls, REMEMBER, we beseech you, the fearful Oaths aud bloody penalties of masonry. REMEMBER that they demand the life of the one who violates their requirements require the secretion of crime end the protection of the criminnl. a hers and law of in to as Mass, called publicly upon the mem of the masonic fraternity under bis jurisdiction, to vote for brother John Brooks, the federal candidate for Governor, as a mason, without inquiring to what party he belonged. REMEMBER that the oaths of freemasonry have polluted the courts of justice by sealing the mouths of witnesses screening the guilty from punishment.

REMEMBER that it has become the of the laud in N. Y. by repeated decisions of the courts, that a Royal Arch mason it incompetent to sit as a juror when companion Royal Arcli mason is a party, in consequence of his masonic obligations. REMEMBER that masonic witnesses have refused to testify in courts ot just.c mid Lave suffered fine apd imprisonment from the court, rather than obey the laws their country and their oaths as witnesses. REMEMBER that masonic papers o-penly applauded them for such conduct and pronounced them, not only justifalle their course, but governed by purely conscientious motives REMEMBER that witnesses have refused to answer questions because their answer would implicate them in the murder of iunorent fe.llow citizen who had been sacrificed in obedience to the oaths und penalties of masonry.

REMEMBER that other witnesses have refused to testify openly declaring to the com tliut they considered their oaths, as masons, paramount to their oath witnesses, thus trampling on the law and corrupting the very fountains of justice. REMEMBER that masonic writers have boasted that their institution was a-ble to rule in every department and en-terprize of government had the means of concert on the bench, in the jury box and in the legisglative haul, and defi- ed the world in arms to stop it, thus making it superior to each and every government on earth. REMEMBER that masons in the commencement of the investigation of the Western outrages, insultingly asked those engaged in ferreting out the actors in that profligate conspiracy, Who are your judges lllio are your jurors thus de- daring their institulion uble to control the government and luws. REMEMBER that lodges do now hold in full fellowship, confessed and convicted kidnappers, as worthy brethren. REMEMBER that men who plead guilty, and have been convicted on an indictment for the violent abduction of an iinoflending citizen from his faintly and home, have been raised to the highest offices in the masonic fraternity.

REMEMBER that, one of the highest officers of the highest masonic body in Vermont, had been indicted for ft conspiracy in the Morgan outrages before he was elevated to the station which he how holds nnd continues to bold uncensured, in defiance of public scorn and indignation. REMEMBER that Richard Howard who conjlngraled Miller's printing office in the stillness and the darkness of night, confessed himself, in St. Johns llall, New-York City, the murderer of Wm. Morgan, and asked help as a suffering brother, tlmt he might be enabled to fly the coun-t ry, and save himself from impending justice nnd that lie received the assistance demanded, by means of which he fled to Europe. REMEMBER the vengeance, the untiring and unceasing vengeance, which i enjoined by the oaths of masonry, upon those who do not abide strictly by their requirements.

REMEMBER that, in its higher degrees, masonry declares its abject tobe destruction of Religion, us a mon- ster and serpent adored by the idiot and vulgar thus assailing the very bulwark of our countrys liberty and siffety. REMEMBER that blood is upon the institution the blood of the Victims to its unearthly and savage oaths. REMEMBER the fate of the martyred Morgan think of him bound, and gagged, and pinioned, andin this condition, dragged through the country, like a felon, bile guilt-hss before the laws country und guiltless before his God. REMEMBER him imprisoned in a fortress of the United States, calling in vain for assistance and striving in the agony of despair to hurst the bariiersw Inch confined him for a certain nnd dreadful death. REMEMBER that his remorseless executioners denied him a Bible to piepare himself for eternity nnd were deaf to his intreaties to see once more the wife of Ids bosom oml tho children of his affection.

REMEMBER that the atonement for the blood of the maityr is demanded at your hands, by subverting the power which decreed bis death and banishing the ensanguined rebel frorr) the land whose laws lie has defied and whose son he has slain, REMEMBER that free-masonry has brought all these evils upon us os a people, and that fr om the people it must meet ith rayed themselves against it. Weigh vvll these matters, we conjure you, by every consideration which can move the patriot and freemen. By the allegiance you bear your constitution hud laws by the love' -you owe your country aud its institutions by the reverence you feel for the religion ol your God by the veneration you owe to the memory of your revolutionary sires by the toils, and sufferings end (flood which they endured and shed that we might live freemen by-the farewell warning of the great nnd, good, and. sainted father of your country by every ti which binds you to the scenes of.etir childhood and the (end of your liirth--by the glorious birthright of an Ameriecocit- izen end all the rich inheritances of freedom, charge you, ponder well the character and crimes of fj'eenxaS9lirJl before you wield your privelege firee-mea in its defence. WORKINO MENS MEETING.

Agreenhle to pi evious notice a meeting of the Mechanics and laboi ing men, was held in this villuge, at the Methodist Chapel on Monday eve last. Ebon Judd wii3 Chairman and WilFun Y. Ripley, Secretary. The meeting was Utfinerous and respectable, und very plainly showed that when you liuva assembled the labor ing men of this country, you have got the -whole mass the of population together. The objects of the Working Men of thia place so far as they are avowed, are, in the main, not objectionable, though in some -points it seems to us, they make statements which are not exactly warranted by facts-For instance one of their most seiious complaints, is, tlmt Lawyers have much more than their chare of representation in the General Assembly nnd are thus enabled to make laws which favor them-wlves and oppress others.

Now by re- (erring to Waltons Register of last year, we find, that there were in the House of Representatives, 17 merchants, 7 manufacturers, 5 mechanics, 1 mail contractor, It) atlornits, 5 clergymen, 6 physicians, and 164 farmers. Here It will be seen that Mechanics and laboi ing men bad a vast majority of the votes in their hands, and, we presume, ever have had, as they of right nml necessity' should have, in this branch of the Legislature, and could any measure for their own interest they might have chosen nhd had only Lawyers enough to do the drudgery for them. 1 The principles advocated by the Working men, to break down aristocracy and monopoly, we fully approve of but how, following this principle, can any working man be any thing but ate anti mason Tho Masonic fraternity, a very proportion of the whole population, hold more of the offices in the state then all the rest of the people the principles of the masonic society are all monopolizing and aristocratic in their tendency they swear to promote one anothers political prefer- -ment nnd to help one another out of dffi- culty right or wrong they wear aristocratic trappings ami give one another kingly titles and one of their Standard writers rays, men in low circumstances and of good morals, are not fit to be members of this in- slitulion. Dyes that speak the language of republican equality The uuti-rnnsons carry ho principle of equal rights out to its full extent they support the true interests of the farmer and mechanic they never can and never will support nny other, and their candidates for town nnd State officers, if they do the will of their constituents, if elected, will support them in tho Legislature. Judge Palmer has heretofore been re- peatedly solicited to accept a nomination Tor Go erfior of the Stale, by some of these very men who are now loudest in their' opposition to him.

IIs was very strongly urged to consent to a nomination before both Butler nnd Crafts had served, and long after lie had given the Missouri vote, fur. which lie is nowio lie politically damned by slid) as heretofore considered it no objection to him. We like to see consistency iii men. If Judge Palmers vote on the Missouri question is sufficient reason why lie eiiould he excluded from office pnw, it was ten years ago, and still, men who were very anxious to have him elected Governor then, ure now vociferous in opposing him on tiie ground of that very Missouri vote. Judge Palmer lias suffer ed himself to be brought forward as a candidate at tho approaching election, because Do is ardently and firmly dovoted to cause of the peoplo against free-mnsonry, and wishes to seu it prosper and triumph.

And it will triumph Palmer will receive the highest vote of any candidate before this people. A guilty conscience needs no acum-scr. The editor of tha Rutland Her-aid takes our allusion to another paper nnd it long cars, to himsolf alto-gather. How you do har Jackey. Drav away, but dont kick.

RICHARDSON GRAVES Essex REPRESENTATIVES TO CONGRESS. Third District. Fourth District. i ROYAL M. RANSOM.

BENJAMIN SWIFT. Fifth District. WILLIAM CAIIOON. it To the Master, Wardens, and Brethren of St, John's Lodge, No. 2, Middle- town.

Middletown, Aug. 12, IS30. JnttHREN Feeling that the time of tiiy depjiture is nt hand, and that I must soon appear at the Bar of God, to be judged for the deeds done in the body, I deem it my bounden duty, to declare to you and to the world, my views concerning Masonry. When I fiist saw men of talents, piety, and virtue, renouncing masonry, I gave them credit for their candor but thought they erred in tho course they pursued. For many months, I have been laboring under a disease, which is evidently hastening me to the grave I have little expectation, and indeed little hope, of ever being restored.

During this period, I have endeavored to examine myself, in regard to mv relations to man, and to God and I have considered it peculiarly important, to examine myself respecting the relation I bear to your Institution. The more I have reflected and examined, the more perfectly satisfied have I become, that it is my duty as a man and as a Christian, to follow the example which has been placed before me, and to renounce masonry and I do hereby, in the presence of. my God, and I trust with his approbation, renounce my connection with nil masonic societies, and paiticularly with your Society, in which I was made a mason. Think not that I do this from sentiments pf ill will to any member of the masonic fraternity. If I know my own heart, I do it from an overwhelmning sense of duty, to my children, to society, and to God.

My health and strength are not at present sufficient to enable me to give all my reasons at full length but you and the pullic have a right to know what they a.e, if not in detail, at least in substance. In tho first place, then, I am satisfied that Masonry is a useless Institution. 1 havsentcitained this opinion for a long time and foi several years have not entered a Lodge. Call to mind any and all things which have passed in the lodge 6ince you becume me nbers, nnd then ask, what has been done, which has been worthy of a rational and immortal mind Lodges are said to be charitable institutions. They are so only in name.

Examine your Treasurers accounts, nnd you will find that little, very little, has been devoted to chaiitabla purposes. I am pursUuded that notone twentieth part of the fund raided has been given in charilv. If you will examine also tho Objects that have been aidul by your charity, you find, I believe, that quite as much hubceh given to the unworthy, as to the virtuous and Inc good. Secondly, I believe Masonry to be a pernicious institution. 1 rom its natuio, St may be employed for bad purposes and when stilish men obtain i controlling influence, it is certain they will use it to answer evil designs.

Ve know historically, that Lodges have been prostituted to tho worst of purposes. The masonic influence has been felt, even in this country, iu the Jury-box, and on the Bench, to turn Justice from her course. It is true, that this is not a necessary evil but from the nature of tho institution, it is one likely often to occur. Thirdly, Masonry is anti-republican in its nature and tendency. The secret influence which it gives men of a certain character, is pernicious in the exit is often a subject of great sur- treme prise, that men of feeble talents, who ure devoid of principle, are elevated to places of trust and power.

It will gen- power. It win gen ti 1830. of Rennington Windham County. ft Rutland tf indsor Addison It it ti (l Orange Chittenden Franklin Caledonia Orleans ii Washington critnes have Itecn proven they have unveiled to the world the secret mysteries of the confederacy, and haveplnred their fingers upon the ritual, the obligations, and penalties which stimulated to those infractions und crimes, nnd which sanction their commission in defiance of the luws of the commonwealth; and, iu view of these things, they have solemnly and fearlessly demanded the abolition of that combination they have culled on their fellow citizens who where within its pale, to forsake and abandon it; and they have besought all who revered the laws of their country, who loved the privileges of freemer. mid the rights of A inerican citizens, to array themselves against its principles nnd cxis-, tenco.

They have been met on the oilier band with mockery and ridicule; they have been told that the power of that combination was not to be resisted or controlled; thev Imve been compelled to witness the laws prostrated by its strength, and the temples of justice polluted by its influence; they have been assailed in character nnd moth es, nnd been followed with bitter vengeance by the worshippers in the mystical sanctuary they have seen the patronage of the slate and general governments wielded in defence of the secret order, mid they have witnessed men of all descriptions, characters nnd parties uniting in one fraternal bond to breast the current of public opinion, and save the idol of their worship from destruction. The people have hence declared, with the proof of every charge against free-mnsnn-ry as it regards either its principles or its deeds, before them, that they would hnve no fellowship with Speculative freemasonry tlmt it threatens the existence of the government, in as much ns it pnlsies the arm of the law nnd contaminates the administration of justice that it is a rebel power in the midst of the government Which they would support nnd protect that it is aristocratic and anti-republican in its form, its titles mid trappings, anti-Christian in its precepts aud doctrines, wicked and rebellious in its sworn obligations, subversive of low, justice and equality in its influence und existence and that therefore they will withhold tlmir confi delict; nnd support at the ballot box, frnm every one wijo acknowledge its authority or strive to sustain and perpetuate it. The exercise of the elective franchise nmorig a nation of freemen, is a spectacle of moral grandeur audMtlflirriity. Every elector in this great republic, when he conics to the polls, performs a momentous aud solemn net, the consequences of hide it is vastly important, lie should weigh well before be ventures upon it. By the constitution of his country be is indnectly made a legislator and a governor the guardian of its purity, and the defender of the liberties it secures the protector of he law? which flow from its administra tion, and the recipient of its great and manifold hlesings.

By it be is placed ns a sentinel on the ramparts of freedom, aud by it is armed as a soldier for its protection and defence, lie wields, in the right of sufliage, a power, the proper exercise of which, piocures for himself and his fellow citizens prosperity and happiness, ami brings down destruction upon the recreant to his countrys vvrlfurc. lie holds, in liis own hand, the means by which corruption cun bo cherished or destroyed by which the arm of the law can be rendered powerless, or its mnjeriy vindicated in terror by which the constitution Can be trampled in the (hist, oi shielded from profanation by which Iretwon can be nursed in the bosom of the republic or brought to suffer fearful retribution-Citizens of Vermont, ns you are almut to exercise once more this privilege of freemen, look well to the manner in hicli your duty to your country is discharged. See that you do not, by your votes, sanction wickedness in high pluces, nor tolerate treason in the very heart of the Stare. For some time past, as you ure uwnre, Mow citizens, a contest has been going 1 between the rally bo found, that such men are of the members nnd allies of a powerful and hih standing in the and exer-1 secret combination on the other. The cise a great influence there and through former in the exercise of their rights as this influence, they are enabled to obtain freemen, nnd in accordance with the spirit some of tho first stations in tho govern- 0f our institutions, have arraigned the in.

incut. In a republic every thing should imPum of which the latter are members, bo open and undisguised the mil, tcnce tl ofpullie opinion, oml exercised, should be the influence of tul- ents and virtue: but in the Lodge all -Gt of crimes commuted a- isso' ret tho public feel its influence, gmnsttho majesty of the law, and of trea- but know not whence it is obtained, or son nFillst tho B'-'iwiples and genius of the how derived. government. They hnvn pointed to the Fourthly. But the great nnd decisive inflections of the laws by the agents of objection to Masonry is, that it is an i the institution, and have shown the rec-onti-christian Institution, When we lords of courts of jusiico in' which the on people on one side, and imm.