Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
observing how far those gentlemen , ivhose cause it advocates , may identify themselves with that publication . Now , -Sir , allow me to assure you that you cannot possibl y he more anxious than myself , that matters connected with Freemasonry should not be obtruded unnecessarily upon the Free-Masonic body generally , much less upon the public at large , through the medium of the press , — ancl on the present occasionI would " under existing circumstances "
, , , certainly adopt the course which you have pursued in the notice above mentioned ; but that 1 think , a more exact and definite allusion than you have made to " the subject in question , " will have a tendency to calm these exasperated feelings , which have spread so extensively among the Freemasons of this country . Responsible , as I , and , indeed , several of my friends , have frequently declared ourselves to be for the truth of all material statements
contained in the " Few Words , 1 beg leave to return you my warm thanks for the flattering testimony which you have borne to the character of that pamphlet , as well as for the merited castigation which you have inflicted upon the late extraordinary effusion , which , after the Few Words hacl , for nearly two years , held undisturbed possession of the field of controversy , has been thrust forward at the eleventh hour , ancl at the very moment when , in obedience to the kind suggestions of his Grace the Duke of Leinster , active measures of reconciliation were in
progress . But , Sir , you will be pleased to hear , that the mischievous objects of this absurd production , —namely , the perpetuation of an absurd but bitter quarrel , —have been , as 1 have reason to believe , completely frustrated by the very means which the author has taken to accomplish them . I have every reason to believe that an honourable ancl perfect reconciliation is upon " the eve of adjustment between the Grand Chapter and the body whose cause this " unhappy advocate " has taken in handancl so
, effectually spoiled;—namely , the Council of Rites . 1 have had within the last week the honour of three interviews with Mr . Norman , the gentleman who , in the absence of the Duke of Leinster , presides over that Council , ancl I am happy to be able to say , that , in all our conferences there appeared to be a thorough understanding between us , that both of the contending bodies , —wearied with the long protracted conflict , —were now prepared ancl anxious to bury all past differences in
oblivion , and meet upon equal , honourable , and cordial terms . No victory is intended for either party ; the Council of Rites , I sincerely hope and trust , does not seek to obtain a conquest , - notwithstanding the immense advantage which that body possesses over the Grand Chapter , arising from the circumstance of the Duke of Leinster being connected with the former . This is liberal , —it is generous ancl honourable on the part of the Council ; and it is as judicious as it is liberal , —because the Grand Chapter occupies a position which must render every hostile assault upon it a discomfiture , and that position it is quite prepared to maintain .
Equality , then , is the object , —the declared and professed object , — the stated preliminary upon which , ancl according to which , must be regulated all arrangements of detail . AVhether or not or how far the DETAILS as at present contemplated ( for they are only in contemplation , ) have been as yet submitted to the Duke of Leinster , or to the Council , I am unable to say ; and no matters " of detail" have been as yet officially considered by the members of the Grand Cliapter ; but if the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
observing how far those gentlemen , ivhose cause it advocates , may identify themselves with that publication . Now , -Sir , allow me to assure you that you cannot possibl y he more anxious than myself , that matters connected with Freemasonry should not be obtruded unnecessarily upon the Free-Masonic body generally , much less upon the public at large , through the medium of the press , — ancl on the present occasionI would " under existing circumstances "
, , , certainly adopt the course which you have pursued in the notice above mentioned ; but that 1 think , a more exact and definite allusion than you have made to " the subject in question , " will have a tendency to calm these exasperated feelings , which have spread so extensively among the Freemasons of this country . Responsible , as I , and , indeed , several of my friends , have frequently declared ourselves to be for the truth of all material statements
contained in the " Few Words , 1 beg leave to return you my warm thanks for the flattering testimony which you have borne to the character of that pamphlet , as well as for the merited castigation which you have inflicted upon the late extraordinary effusion , which , after the Few Words hacl , for nearly two years , held undisturbed possession of the field of controversy , has been thrust forward at the eleventh hour , ancl at the very moment when , in obedience to the kind suggestions of his Grace the Duke of Leinster , active measures of reconciliation were in
progress . But , Sir , you will be pleased to hear , that the mischievous objects of this absurd production , —namely , the perpetuation of an absurd but bitter quarrel , —have been , as 1 have reason to believe , completely frustrated by the very means which the author has taken to accomplish them . I have every reason to believe that an honourable ancl perfect reconciliation is upon " the eve of adjustment between the Grand Chapter and the body whose cause this " unhappy advocate " has taken in handancl so
, effectually spoiled;—namely , the Council of Rites . 1 have had within the last week the honour of three interviews with Mr . Norman , the gentleman who , in the absence of the Duke of Leinster , presides over that Council , ancl I am happy to be able to say , that , in all our conferences there appeared to be a thorough understanding between us , that both of the contending bodies , —wearied with the long protracted conflict , —were now prepared ancl anxious to bury all past differences in
oblivion , and meet upon equal , honourable , and cordial terms . No victory is intended for either party ; the Council of Rites , I sincerely hope and trust , does not seek to obtain a conquest , - notwithstanding the immense advantage which that body possesses over the Grand Chapter , arising from the circumstance of the Duke of Leinster being connected with the former . This is liberal , —it is generous ancl honourable on the part of the Council ; and it is as judicious as it is liberal , —because the Grand Chapter occupies a position which must render every hostile assault upon it a discomfiture , and that position it is quite prepared to maintain .
Equality , then , is the object , —the declared and professed object , — the stated preliminary upon which , ancl according to which , must be regulated all arrangements of detail . AVhether or not or how far the DETAILS as at present contemplated ( for they are only in contemplation , ) have been as yet submitted to the Duke of Leinster , or to the Council , I am unable to say ; and no matters " of detail" have been as yet officially considered by the members of the Grand Cliapter ; but if the