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Article GRAND LODGE. ← Page 3 of 15 →
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Grand Lodge.
the slightest allusion to the Observer , or any other party . Who may have " been subsequently consulted with regard to the reduction of tho list , I am not prepared to say , but I freely admit that I for one have been so consulted , aud I believe the list , as now arrauged , will be as popular as any ever submitted to Grand Lodge . [ The test of that rested with the brethren then present ] . What Bro . Roxburgh particularly impressed on the brethren at the meeting was this , that the time ior cxclusiveness and secrecy in thc proceedings or elections of Grand Lodge
had passed . —( Hear , hear ) . —[ Happy was it for Masonry if that time had arrived]—and he called upon the brethren duly to consider all the business to "be brought before Grand Lodge prior to the meetings ; to take their fair share in tho business ; and so render the decisions come to by Grand Lodge aud its Boards what they ought to be—the reflex of the opinions of tho large mass of the brethren . " ( Cheering ) . To that bethought no sane brother could object . He would now ask if it was tiny use for him to prove a fact so plainly acknowledged
by a brother wiio was present tit the meeting . Another brother who had been there had distinctly and solemnly assured him that the report of the proceedings which appeared iu one of the ordinary channels of communication was perfectly true , except so far as related to Bro . Havers , and that was rather an embellishment . ( Hear , hear , and laughter ) . He hoped that was the case , and he had no doubt it was ; but did that matter of detail interfere with the main fact that a meeting had been held to exclude from the Board of General Purposes the
representatives of a large , numerous , and important body in the Craft , and that there , iu consultation with brethren of his own views , Bro . Roxburgh submitted a list , and organized a movement for the election of fourteen brethren of his own views , or of views not opposed to his own ? That was a fact which could not be gainsaid , controverted , or denied . ( Hear , hear ) . He defied Bro . Roxburgh to deny it . The notice of motion was justified by tho facts of tho ease , and he therefore now asked Graud Lodge to express its opinion upon the matter , and if they called a , spade a spade , they would say it was a party movement to arrange for
carrying a particular list of candidates for the Board of General Purposes . In good government there must always bo party , hut then they should aet on tho apostolic maxim , and do all things iu decency aud order —( oh , oh !) . Relying on their common sense , he asked them to say aye or nay whether the conduct of Bro . Roxburgh was right or not right ? Bro . Sherry seconded the motion . Bro . Savage , S . G . D .: Most Worshipful Grand Master , I am surprised aud astonished thaton evidence worse than meagre—indeed without foundation whatever—a
, any brother should present to Grand Lodge , on mere assumption , a charge like that now brought against Bro . Roxburgh . I regret , first oi till , I must say , that such a notice should appear ou the paper—that a notice , impeaching the character , as well as the dignity of a Grand Officer , should be circulated throughout the length and breadth of the land , I do think that , without much stronger evidence ( and here there is no evidence to warrant it ) such a motion should not have been put on the paper by Bro . Whitmore . I have had a long acquaintance with Bro .
Whitmore , and I esteem him , but I do think that , in this instance he has made a great mistake , aud I am somewhat surprised that he is not here in person to bring tho motion forward , and that for that purpose he has not put aside every other engagement , as it impeaches the character and judgment of the Graud Registrar . While we ought to be jealous of our rights and privileges , wo should , I think , guard them 1 iy seeing that none but legitimate notices are placed on the paper , and not notices ou such assumption of miscalled facts as tho motion before us . ( Hear ) . How has it bceu
supported ? I confess that , although I came here to defend what has been done , I did not expect that so slight a case would have been made out . ( Hear , hear ) . L' ro . Binekes a . J ; s Grand Lodge to express its regret at what has taken place—regret ! and what does that mean ] It means a vote of . censure in disguise . ( Cheers ) . Are you about to pass such a vote on what you have heard s We have not heard a word from the worthy brother who seconded the motion , so that we hive to take the case as placed before us by Bro . Binekes , aud I ask you whether what he has stated does not manifest itself as being much of assumption . I admit that ho was not bound to tell us whore he got his information , lis tolls , us , however , that the
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Grand Lodge.
the slightest allusion to the Observer , or any other party . Who may have " been subsequently consulted with regard to the reduction of tho list , I am not prepared to say , but I freely admit that I for one have been so consulted , aud I believe the list , as now arrauged , will be as popular as any ever submitted to Grand Lodge . [ The test of that rested with the brethren then present ] . What Bro . Roxburgh particularly impressed on the brethren at the meeting was this , that the time ior cxclusiveness and secrecy in thc proceedings or elections of Grand Lodge
had passed . —( Hear , hear ) . —[ Happy was it for Masonry if that time had arrived]—and he called upon the brethren duly to consider all the business to "be brought before Grand Lodge prior to the meetings ; to take their fair share in tho business ; and so render the decisions come to by Grand Lodge aud its Boards what they ought to be—the reflex of the opinions of tho large mass of the brethren . " ( Cheering ) . To that bethought no sane brother could object . He would now ask if it was tiny use for him to prove a fact so plainly acknowledged
by a brother wiio was present tit the meeting . Another brother who had been there had distinctly and solemnly assured him that the report of the proceedings which appeared iu one of the ordinary channels of communication was perfectly true , except so far as related to Bro . Havers , and that was rather an embellishment . ( Hear , hear , and laughter ) . He hoped that was the case , and he had no doubt it was ; but did that matter of detail interfere with the main fact that a meeting had been held to exclude from the Board of General Purposes the
representatives of a large , numerous , and important body in the Craft , and that there , iu consultation with brethren of his own views , Bro . Roxburgh submitted a list , and organized a movement for the election of fourteen brethren of his own views , or of views not opposed to his own ? That was a fact which could not be gainsaid , controverted , or denied . ( Hear , hear ) . He defied Bro . Roxburgh to deny it . The notice of motion was justified by tho facts of tho ease , and he therefore now asked Graud Lodge to express its opinion upon the matter , and if they called a , spade a spade , they would say it was a party movement to arrange for
carrying a particular list of candidates for the Board of General Purposes . In good government there must always bo party , hut then they should aet on tho apostolic maxim , and do all things iu decency aud order —( oh , oh !) . Relying on their common sense , he asked them to say aye or nay whether the conduct of Bro . Roxburgh was right or not right ? Bro . Sherry seconded the motion . Bro . Savage , S . G . D .: Most Worshipful Grand Master , I am surprised aud astonished thaton evidence worse than meagre—indeed without foundation whatever—a
, any brother should present to Grand Lodge , on mere assumption , a charge like that now brought against Bro . Roxburgh . I regret , first oi till , I must say , that such a notice should appear ou the paper—that a notice , impeaching the character , as well as the dignity of a Grand Officer , should be circulated throughout the length and breadth of the land , I do think that , without much stronger evidence ( and here there is no evidence to warrant it ) such a motion should not have been put on the paper by Bro . Whitmore . I have had a long acquaintance with Bro .
Whitmore , and I esteem him , but I do think that , in this instance he has made a great mistake , aud I am somewhat surprised that he is not here in person to bring tho motion forward , and that for that purpose he has not put aside every other engagement , as it impeaches the character and judgment of the Graud Registrar . While we ought to be jealous of our rights and privileges , wo should , I think , guard them 1 iy seeing that none but legitimate notices are placed on the paper , and not notices ou such assumption of miscalled facts as tho motion before us . ( Hear ) . How has it bceu
supported ? I confess that , although I came here to defend what has been done , I did not expect that so slight a case would have been made out . ( Hear , hear ) . L' ro . Binekes a . J ; s Grand Lodge to express its regret at what has taken place—regret ! and what does that mean ] It means a vote of . censure in disguise . ( Cheers ) . Are you about to pass such a vote on what you have heard s We have not heard a word from the worthy brother who seconded the motion , so that we hive to take the case as placed before us by Bro . Binekes , aud I ask you whether what he has stated does not manifest itself as being much of assumption . I admit that ho was not bound to tell us whore he got his information , lis tolls , us , however , that the