A Stronger Tie Than Masonry.

A STRONGER TIE THAN MASONRY .

A PEW weeks since a paragraph appeared in the columns of a contemporary , which cast a doubt on the supremacy of the Masonic tie . At the time of its publication we felt inclined to offer a protest

against the assertion of the writer , but a careful consideration of the subject in its several aspects , and in its association with recent events , has induced us to modify our opinion , and to such an extent that

today we hardly know to which we ought to award the distinction of enjoying the stronger claim on its members : Freemasonry , that Fraternity to which our paper owes its being , and to which it continually

devotes itself ; or Journalism , which our contemporary describes as perhaps possessing a more potent bond of unity . The Hampshire Independent , the paper to which

we reier above , speaking ol the enorts which were being made early in the present year to bring the murderer of the ill-fated Bro . Archibald McNeill to

justice says : the Masonic tie resell , probably , is less potent than the professional bonds which unite true journalists all over the world , and wbich no distinction

of caste or professional rivalry can destroy . Here and there , of course , one meets men who are altogether beyond the pale of such an honourable brotherhood , but the mass are strongly united , and the feeling

wmen animates them is striiangly shown . As we have already said , at the first blush we were inclined to question the opinion of our contemporary , for although we had been associated with the press

ior three times the period we had been a Mason , we hardly felt the ties of Journalism equalled , or in any way approached , those of Freemasonry ; but we have since thought that perhaps our opinion was

influenced by our experiences in the little circle with which we have lately been more immediately associated , where the most absurd jealousy

existsjealousy which forbids even the mention of the name we were born with , and which appears to ignore the courtesies of our " honourable brotherhood . " As we reffard thfl mflii . Pr now Wfi ihiinlr wo rnnao- anir lintionvo Hi /

O ---- . ~„ ,., ., v . « " . "u » - "< -V ut V """"" i " are about equally divided between Freemasonry and Journalism , and we have been led to this opinion , in great measure , in consequence of the manner in

which the latter has associated itself with the former on behalf of a widow of a well-known Mason , who was also a prominent journalist . We allude to Mrs . Cooke , who is at present before the Craft as a candidate

ior a Widow s annuity from the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and whose case has been referred to , we think we may fairly say , in a large majority of the leading papers of the kingdom—so

much so as to call forth comment from some of the leading members of the press of the day . We , who have worked with others for years past in securing votes for one or other of those seeking the benefits of the Masonic Institutions , know that this

A Stronger Tie Than Masonry.

publicity cannot have been secured without strong influence—and perhaps stronger energy—on the part of those who have the case of Mrs . Cooke in hand , but it is sufficient for our present argument that it has been secured , and none will question the

justice of the claim which might be put forward by journalists , that as strong a tie exists among them as that appertaining to Freemasonry . It has no doubt frequently surprised the outside observer to see the way in which the affairs of the

press are conducted ; how each paper appears to taKe every advantage of its competitors to forestal them with news or other items of interest , and yet there are few great events which happen throughout the world

but the press m a measure combines to supply the public demand for early and correct information . Probably no other profession allows of such keen competition , and at the same time fraternal

companionship as Journalism . Eivalry of the severest kind exists in connection with it , but it is friendly rivalry in most cases , and that too of a character which would not be possible in many other walks of

life , indeed , there are many ways m which experiences gained in the world of Journalism may be cited as parallel to that of true Freemasonry , and the instance we have referred to is one of them .

Reverting to the quotation already given from the Hampshire Independent , we find further points of similarity between Journalism and Freemasonry . Our contemporary observes that "here and there one

meets men who are altogether beyond the pale of such an honourable brotherhood , but the mass are strongly united . " How applicable are these words to Freemasonry , and how truly they describe the cause of

much of the odium which is associated with the Craft . It is the men we find here and there , beyond the pale of brotherhood , who bring the small amount of

discredit which is as inseparable rrom a reemasonry as from any other human organisation . It is not from the doings of the masses that we gain our reputation so much as from the actions of the few , and whether

they be for good or evil the world forms its opinion of the whole from the behaviour of those who make themselves particularly prominent . So it is in Journalism . We find men recognised in the outside world as leaders of the press , and opinions formed of the

whole profession from the action of these men , while in truth they are but indifferent specimens , sufficiently clever , however , to make themselves known above their less noisy , if more dignified brethren , and , we must

frankly admit , often appearing to make more progress than those of greater stability . The appeal which has formed the basis of these remarks was addressed "To their brethren of the Paris in connection with tne murder

Kress , ol Mr . McJNeili —one of the kindliest , gentlest , and best of men—by his comrades of the Press generally , and of the Savage and Press Clubs of London , " and it concluded as follows : "We therefore appeal to you , our brotherti