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VOL. WESTFIEU), FRIDAY, MAY 80, 1828 NO- 104. PUBLISHED ON FBJDATN WMITMU-m M. f. CMAVTAC^VK GO. 1» 0 fill»gesubscribe™, $?.!>0. f o office »nd mail subscribers, when paid tfuh in-advanc, &1«S°. P«f annum. When paid at any lime within (he year, 4i00. When not paid till attrr (he cud of EjterfVO. Aafpersun advancing lott dollars, shall receive sewn yearly subscript itms. Any responsible poison prucui 1115 ten subscribers, and tx.inp accountable for fheni, sha\ receive au eleventh gratis. A DVERTISRMENTS Sot exci-etlin* a square, will IK; inserted three week*!. ibr£l. Pwevery subsequent insertion. 25 cent*. A liberal deduction tvi',1 he made to those who advertise by the year. p* No paper or advertisement discontin- \jH ail arrears are paid, except at the die- crelMOi of the publwJief. ready been done Without any ef- fect. Is it not then time to change the manner of proceeding*, and if we cannot punish for the crime com- mitted, prevent the future repeti- tion of it ? It would seem from the petition in the house that such is the conclusion of the people of the west: and when we consider that the Free-Masons of that region have met in convention at Lc-Koy disclosed the secrets of the higher order of Masonry, not known to Morgan, aud publickly renounced Masonry, and that a subsequent nnti-Masonick convention, have by their memorial in the other house, suggested the remedy of prohibiting extra-judicial oaths as the most effectual; it is difficult to perceive on what principle we are proceeding on the bill under con- sideration. Will it not l>e consid- ered the contrivance of Masonry to perpetuate the order and thus, instean of allaying the excitement, tend to increase it. The people will suspect rather than confide in this 6tate commissioner, after they have*, both separately and collee- cxhausted all the means fivin the -Yuticmal Obterrer. MR. CRARY'S REMARKS. In the Senate of this state, on the bill authorizing' the employ- ment of special counsel to attend the trials of persons implicated in the abduction ot' William Morgan. Mr. Chairman—The complaint is, that a citizen has been forcibly token and held in captivity, or i»-! lrv ' e .-» .. .... , . ... humanly murdered: Tins av , m l! which by this bid is placed within act of violence was committed in*\ V° w * r / t Itts insulting to sup- fefrtenber 182G, upon the person' I** a *\\^ individual can with of William Morgan. Me was seized ^ Mandate ot the legislature do, by ruffian hand* and taken aisainat l what *« g reat b °fi of the people hfs will, in the village of Batavia »« ve » ot ^er 1 able to periorm.- and carried tht .c To Fort Niaga-L n,c ***** °* thc wcst ? rc labour \ ra; beyond Inch he has not been! ™$ under a deep-toned sense of traced\ nor U s he been heard cfN*y J. ™d any proffered redress, L. A t T - .. wmch is evasive, will be consider- .,-,.. led as sporting with their leeungs. ihc cause assigned for Ins ab-j Hithcrl( , l g ave considered this doction and murder * that he, que6tioI1 as between the Free-Ma- »asa Free-Mason, and aaauchj^., ho wero concer ned either had disclosed the secrets of Ma- direc u y or indirectlv m the abduc i.a in 1 1 Meeena, for tH| rbsjacnon and murder by theat of one belonging to the order, ft is .this secret in- visible power that I am opposed to—a power exerted in die midst of us; from the horrible and tragi- ical effects of which neither friends nor foes, not even the wandering stranger can escape. By the common consent of man- kind each individual has certain absolute and unalienable rights; these are the rights of personal liberty, the rights of personal se- curity, and the right of private property. The great end and ob- ject of Government should be to protect each individual in the en- joyment of these rights: when that is not done, the Government must be defctive either in the form or the administration. Pub- iick sentiment is the only test to determine whether it be done or uot; and every thing depending on pubiick sentiment, must be o pen, and fair and exposed to pub- lick scrutiny and observation.— Publicity, then, is and must be the redeeming principle of every sys- tem ; without it the mest perfect Government will be found in prac aimry; and when we consider that the persons concerned in the acts of violence committed on him, were Free-Masons ; and for such acts there is no assignable reason but that he had published the se- crets of Masonry, the conclusion is, that for such publication he has suffered death. The ostensible object of the Bill, under consideration, is to pro- vide for detecting the offenders; aud the question is, will it be likely to have the effect ? It will be recollected that Morgan is consid- ered a victim of Mason ick venge tiy or indirectly in tion and murder of \V illiam Mor- gan, on ;he one hand; and the people, contiguous to the place where ttie catastrophe happened striving to bring the offenders to justice, on the other; But there is another view of the subject, com- pared to which the fate of William Morgan dwindles into a point— His es-.use has become thut of the constitution and law; and in that view 1 shall now proceed to con- sider it. When the future historian shall relate the late of William Morgan asassaaEBaaaaaaagHaaasi without a motive. Is it not then fair to conclude that these stolen abuses are secret pleasures, enjoy- ed at the expense of others, not be- longing to the order? Unity of action and design has always enabled those belonging to the combination, not only to pro* tect themselves, but to oppress 0- thers: hence it is, that an act done by a conspirator is more heinous in the eye of the law, and alarming to the community, than if done by an insulated individual. But when impunity is ridded to secrecy of de- sign, it is then that we realize in imagination the horrours which William Morgan must have endu- red, when the midnight assassin stalked forth before his swimming eyes. The entering of a dwelling house against the will of the occupant, in the day time, iS simple trespass; but when the same act is done in the silent watches of the night, it is felony. Why is it so? Can there be any other reason for it, than the helpless condition of the tenant at that season, destined by nature for silence and repose? Hence it is obvious that no other tice to permit every thing that is relation among men can be just, wrong, and afford no security for,hut that which places them on a any thing that is right. That the, footing of equality. That which ,• ,. ;„ t' , ...,„*«'«(•'—he will pause aud inquire for the ance, and a martvr In tnc cause 01 •, • . . \ . . ' . . . • ._. . , I noKADG f>ftiir-i>riu'i! • Iviit wliell lie liberty and his country. This is a reproach to the Masoniek frater- nity, and as such they have tried to get rid of it, while the people have endeavoured to fix it upon them. A war thus waged, is not likely persons coiicerned; but is told the abduction was perpe- trated in open nay, in the popu- lous, yet peaceful village ofBata- via, and above all, when he is told, the persons concerned have esca- . d ^ ,;• .. r.«i;*;..o! ped detection—he cannot but ex- to terminate short oi a political » . . , . •• *--- -r^JLL^i^ claim, how impotent are human extermination 01 one ot the panic*. , ' , . m ». . AU , . . Is it then probable, that tills vol- untary Masoniek measure, at this very late day, will restore harmo- ny between them? Will it not rather be considered tantalizing the feelings of the people, espe- eially as it is not called for by them and \more particularly jao, as the offenders have already escaped to parts unknown, and the fraternity are charged with facilitating their escape. Assistance was prayed for last year, but refused by the legisla- tor ; and now when a law to a- botisk extra-juuicial oaths is pray- ed, instead of granting it, we give that which is not called for, and refuse that which is. Thus treat- ing the people like children, that . do not know what is good for timung and pcrpctuanng Free-Ma- themselves. Allattempts to brmg|sourjr, has been the security, pro the perpetrators of the crime to justice, have hitherto proved ab- laws, and inefficient the adminis- tration of justice, even in the most civilized part of the world! It can not be denied, but that our system of jurisprudence is defective; there is a power among us, it is a secret invisible power, exerted by Free-Masons, which is above the law. While the order of Free-Ma- sons did not pervert pubiick jus- tice ; or interfere to prevent the apprehension and conviction of offenders; their pretended myste- ries, though they sought conceal- ment excited no very great alarm. The attribute of secrecy was accorded to the order, as a pre- rogative handed down from high antiquity and always claimed and exercised—the pretence for con order of Free Masons has always « not known to us, can never be required secrecy from those be- guarded against by us. It is by de- longing to it, is a fact that cannot oeit and falsehood, that distress and be questioned. If for that, they misery have been communicated ought to be condemned, thev will oud extended far and wide among not complain that it is done with- the human race, and if deceit and out testimony. Let us then test falsehood be not descriptive of free the order by\ one of its cardinal masonry, they areoi its effects and principles, and see whether it is operation upon the rest of man- at variance with truth and justice. * u \ .„ . . , Openness and honesty form the ! . To i»»?»te: A witness that is criterion, by which the character interested is incompetent to testify: of every transaction, relating to a J«*f l J iat *\£• *•\ u P on lus the afTairs of men, is investigated m, \ d ' 18 \wqunhned from sitting ui and determined. Vice m* al- judgement. But how can the one ways shunned the light, ;. ,r the other be excluded, when the JL , T-... * . fact of such interest or bias is not The coiicetdmcntof the fact• » taown to Uie partiea? h may be evidence, that the feet itself, if it 8aid |hc biag J^ onft free mason appeared, would disclose some- hag QVep another k ^ — ^ thing new that is wrong. 1 hua if flu admitt ed, and what foUows? a man be found with etokn goods ,^» ~ toow lhat w|wn ^ ^ 111 his possession, and he has con- cr thin flre ual , he lea8t item cealed or attempts to conceal iuc lmea the Ecale ? And it is by the thetn, it MI evidence that he mHueuce of lhe8e imperceptible received the goods knowing ^g that every doubtful question that they were stolen. A per- ^ decided son i* examined on a charge of It ^ sai * d that a man might as felony, and conceals the facts, and W€ n be suspected because he be- states what is not true ; the con- i ongcd to auot i, cr church. But on elusion is that be is guilty. A what principle does the argument party in a suit secretes a paper; re st? it must be upon the assump- the conclusion LS, that if it were lioa t!iat a , erc ^ uo difference be- produced, it would disclose some tween (j hri8l iai.ity and free mason- facts agauist him, which without ry . «nd will that be pretended by it does not appear: and thus it is! ^c most devoted friend of the or- that secrecy and concealment der? Itis sufficient for my purpose have always been considered as tantamount to dfeceit and false- hood. It was so at the beginning; for alter eating the forbidden fruit, our first Parents hid themselves from the presence of God. If I have succeeded in showing that the first principle of the order is wrong, it is not to be expected in practice, that it can ever be- come right; when the principle on which it is founded is errone- ous, it will practically proceed on to mention one particular, about which there is no controversy:— The obligation of secrecy is en- joined according to the order of free masonry : while the Saviour, at parting with his disciples, \ said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach ihc (iotpocl to every crea- ture.\ The charge against free masons is not that they are all bad men, or that they ought to be condemn- ed because there are some bad caae will admit. When the con- due of men cannot be reconciled with their innocence, the conclu- sion is that they are guilty. The sense of right and wrong is impressed by Deity himseh upon Che heart of man. The effect *of this impression will naturally ap- pear at the recital of wrongs; and when it does not, the conclusion is that natural feelings are suppres- sed. The story of William Morgan is the most tragical, and calculated to harrow up all our feelings and excite all our sensibilities; and e- ven to impel us by an impulse not our own, to seek the place of the martyr's sufferings and death; and there avenge his most foul and un- natural murder. But has the story had that effect upon those belonging to the ma«- son ick order ? WUl k be denied that as often as it has been related, in the presence and hearing of free masons, if one has inquired, if the facts stated by Morgan in his book were true, did he not de- serve the fate he is supposed to have suffered?—another has said, he has gone off and keeps out of the way, to give value to his book, and will return when his fortune is made! Others, though silent, have given a smile of approbation, while with inverted looks the coun- tenance of all has indicated myste- ry and concealment! And when a numerous body of men, both sep- arately and collectively, can sup- press the strongest natural emo- tions, is it not fair to conclude that such suppression is the effect of design? Thus much for the evi- dence of observation, and for the correctness of it I appeal to the most superficial observer. But the evidence against free masonry, does not rest entirely upon the unnatural looks and ac- tions of individuals belonging to the order, when Morgan's case is mentioned. There is another fact imputing moral guilt to the order itself, unless the maxim that a man is known by the company he keeps, can be controverted. It is this,- that three persons belonging to the order, have confessed them- selves guilty* and admitted they were concerned in the abduction of Wm. Morgan. We have occa- sionally seen notices of expulsion, from which we are to conclude, that it is according to the disci- pline of the order to expel for some offences; but we have seen no no- tice of the expulsion of those three persons: hence we are to con- clude that the abduction of Wm. Morgan is not an offence, accor- ding to the orders oi free masonry. It is not my object here to dilate upon the enormity of this offence; It must be obvious to all, that the right of personal liberty, is of all others, the most invaluable, and of the fate if William Morgan had ortive; Repeated trials have been had, but no convictions have fol- lowed ; and a general belief is now etttertained,that the offenders have in more than one instance been borne off by the perjured testimo- of their brethren. As the means ^discovering and punishing the offenders, the bill authorizes the person, administering the govern- ment of this state, to appoint some person, of the degree of counsellor n the Supreme Court, to repair to (he west, and institute an inquiry concerning the abduction of Will- iam Morgan. This is adding one to the number who hawe for the last eighteen, month* been enga- ged in x performing thai aervice and doty. And is it any thing more ? Can the peruon thus au- thorized do tny more than baa al- tection, and advantage, which it afforded to the traveller and stran- ger ; while it has been supposed the order did not interfere with the duties of the citizen, the poli- tician, the statesman. Under such pretences, not contradicted by ap- pearances, it has hitherto been viewed with complacency, its members respected and esteemed. And it was not until it was found the obligations of the Order, had alienated those belonging to vel it the farther we are from the place of destination. The ostensible objects of free masonry arc be^tvolence and kind- ness ; but if it should appear that the real objects are selfishness and cruelty in disguise, no one, not of the order, will hesitate to admit that it is time the veil was torn oflj and the society exhibited in all its deformity. Nn.-nes can never al- ter things, bnt care should be ta- ken that things have their proper names. The appropriate use of names is to represent things truly; but that they do so should never be taken for granted: For as often as the despot has intended to lend the multitude captive at his will, he has it from their allegiance to the done it by the delusion of a name. constitution and the law, that the community began to suspect the imposition which had been practi- sed upon them ? and exert the su- premacy of their power to bring the kidnappers and murderers of Morgan to justice. On this occa- cion- the people soon found their own impotence and df the laws, when exerted against the Free- the same ground. 11 we take thel me n amongst them: But it is that wrong road at the commencementf the order justifies individuals be- of our journey, the longer we tra- longing to it, who could not be jus- tifieu by the laws of society. The conclusion therefore, is against the order, not the individuals belong- ing to it. The individuals may be good or bad like other men; their character must depend upon their walk and conversation. It will not be pretended that individuals be- longing to any society, are for that reason to be justified for any tiling they do. The objection is th members of the masoniek societ are not made amenable to justice like other men. It is not that eve- ry free mason shall be condemned because he is a free meson; but that the order screens men from punishment because they are mem- bers of it No matter who sub- verts pubiick justice, it ; -> au of- fence which deserves reprehen- sion and punishment. But it may be ask^d what have the order done? „ I answer, thsy have jvsttiwd the kidnappers and murderers of fftftonp If vigilance is the price of liberty, the point at which it should be first exerted is to distinguish between names and things. To do so, we must become familiar with the thing itself, which we never can, if it is to us invisible; and that I understand to be the precise char- acter of the order of free masonry; and why is it so? men never act This is a serjous charge; but it is believed to be supported! by the best eT&ejiee the nature ot thej thereby thev oaf beth^betteY^ been less tragical, and instead oi being put to desth he had ebt:::: ed his liberty after a short intcrv:•.*.. and had been restored to his fam- ily and friends: yet the ofienc.v would remain; and all those ac- cessary to it whether before or al- ter the fact, must be considered «*- mong t^he offenders. Can the order escape from tlm conclusion ? and if t|>8y canno:, What does it prove? Surely this, that the malignant pleasure of free masons is, with* the order itself, a consideration paramount of the! rights of individuals, or the obser- vance of the laws; and are we not only to countenance in the midst oi us their invisible power, but the - ljust and cruel exercise of it? But that is a question I peed not ask; for the power exists, and has thus far been exercised without our opposition: and it remains to be seen whether H aha\ continue and Uiumph in spite of it. Akho' the aggregate number of free ma- sons bears but a small proportion to the great body of the commu- nity, yet it is not to be controvert- ed that they enjoy the offices of houour and profit, while at the same time they profess to take no part in politicks. The places oc- cupied by free masons in Rli par- ties, show how %4r prolans are to be wideiatood---a(Pf4SPcnjlh» fcey belong to j> 0 par^—that Vs
