Pawtucket Herald, And Independent Inquirer

CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND. No. III.

The events which first drew the attention of the people to the Institution of Free Masonry are, I trust, familiar to most of you. On the first I will make a few remarks which appear to me to be called for by the comments and assertions of Masons. When the intelligence of the abduction of Morgan first reached us, the language of the fraternity was, "We do not doubt that he has been murdered." This was the opinion of cautious and prudent masons.--Bear in mind, fellow citizens, that this was a candid and unbiassed expression of the feelings and opinions before any plan had been formed as to the course to be adopted in relation to that event. I converse with the same masons now, and they answer, "I don't know,"--"I can't believe it,"--"Nothing has been proved," &c. Any man of common sense will readily understand the causes which have produced this reserve and doubt--and the query very naturally suggests itself, what led to the almost involuntary expression of the opinion in the first instance, that he was murdered?--I answer, nothing more nor less than the irresistible conviction that such an act would be in accordance with the obligations which bound Free-Masons together.

holding and retaining within their fellowship the very men who have been convicted of participating in that act. They have not expelled them nor denounced them as guilty of unmasonic conduct. Is not the conclusion irresistible, then, that the kidnappers of Morgan are good and true and faithful masons? And if so, what must be the character of the association? They must be judged by their fruits. The members of the Fraternity in this section of the country think it hard that they are exposed to all this persecution on account of a crime committed by a few of their brethren, several hundred miles off. Ask them if Masonry is not essentially the same here as there; if the principles and obligations are not similar? If they are, tell them that you feel it to be your sacred duty to declare open and perpetual war against such an institution, its principles and obligations--that you regard it as opposed to your free institutions, and dangerous to your rights and liberties; and that you will not rest as long as there is one citizen uninformed of its pernicious and dangerous character. But if, on the other hand, the people are misinformed on this subject, if the masonic institution here is established on different principles and governed by different laws, then let them come out like honest and prudent men and publish the truth.

questions when brought, relative to the abandoned character of the unfortunate victim of masonic vengeance. He is stigmatised (by masons remember,) with every opprobrious epithet which their ingenuity can invent. This is all perfectly consistent with what we know of Masonry--and may be, just. But I will maintain that the character of Morgan is not to be brought into the discussion. The only question among freemen is, had he in any way forfeited his right to the enjoyment of liberty and life? Was he tried by his peers in accordance with the laws of the land? The answer to these questions is evident enough.--Morgan was a free citizen--he was forcibly and violently seized and carried away by members of the Masonic Fraternity--and I dare assert that no candid man, (be he mason or not mason,) who has attended at all to the evidence which has been adduced, has the least doubt in his mind that Morgan was murdered agreeably to Masonic rules. But the Masons will say, again, admitting the act that Morgan was murdered by members of the brotherhood, must the whole institution suffer for the crime of a few misguided men, or be considered as participating in their guilt? I answer, by no means; if the masonic fraternity express in strong and unequivocal terms their disapprobation of the deed, and their indignation against those of their brethren who have been guilty of such an outrage on the laws;--if they give proof of the sincerity of their indignation by expelling from their society all who have been found guilty of participating in the crime, and readily and cheerfully give their aid in bringing them to justice. Will you be satisfied, fellow citizens, until you have had these proofs, that masons do not sanction the murder of Morgan? You will not, you cannot. The institution must bear the odium of this foul deed, until its members as a body come out and denounce the kidnappers of Morgan, and satisfy you that it was totally inconsistent with the spirit of Masonry--and contrary to its rules and obligations. Has any thing like this been done, or even attempted? I answer, nothing. The course which Masons have pursued for the last year or more has been silence--cold, sneering, contemptuous silence. The watch-word has been given, and the seal is placed on their lips;--but it came too late.--You have seen and heard enough to satisfy you as to the spirit of Masonry, before the caution was given. Enough was uttered (unguardedly perhaps,) to convince you that the obligations of Masonry permitted and authorized murder, in its most aggravated and horrible forms. These convictions have been strengthened by the conduct of the Fraternity--Instead of avowing their disapprobation of the outrage on Morgan, they have given the strongest proofs of approbation, by up-
the truth. Some masons have said, "We want facts, substantial facts." Let them not be disturbed on that score--they have had them, and they will have more. They very deliberately vilify and abuse those who have seceded from them; they call them perjured villains and liars, and tell you in the outset that any thing they may say against Masonry must all go for nothing; and then, feeling abundantly secure, they say, "give us facts"--and facts they shall, in due season have, which will astonish you and confound and put them to shame. The horrible and harrowing events which have already transpired in connexion with the institution, and are exciting the wonder and indignation of the whole community, are viewed by the fraternity not only with pretended apathy and indifference, but with unfeeling contempt. But remember, fellow citizens, that they are bound together by the most solemn oaths, and to fulfil them they must use hypocrisy and deceit. In questions relating to their institutions you cannot place any confidence in them, because they are bound at all hazards to keep sacred the grand secrets of the order. You must not be surprised, therefore, at their apparent indifference to those things which fill you with fear and trembling. But whatever plea, or answer, or defence may be made by Masons, you cannot be satisfied with any that does not clear the institution of the anti-christian and anti-republican oaths and obligations which render it powerful and dangerous. Until you are satisfied on this point, you must go on with firmness and perseverance and prudence in your warfare against Masonry, or submit tamely to the chains and fetters of a growing aristocracy.--Decide and act in this dilemma like free-men.

ROGER WILLIAMS.