Grand Orient Of France.

tion of the Constitution of the Grand Orient of France . Nothing in the laws which rule French Masonry authorises this prohibition . It is not true that the Order enjoins its members to remain strangers to political affairs ; this would be to ask of those who

enter Masonry to renounce their rights and duties as citizens , which would be odious and absurd . On the contrary the truth is that the moral of Masonry imposes as a duty that all Masons should occupy themselves Avith the general interests of humanity . And if we speak more especially of the Constitution of the Grand Orient of France , how could patriotic and human virtues find themselves shut out from its

programme since it commences with these words : " The Order of Freemasons has as its object charity , the study of universal morality , and the practice of every virtue ?" What is prohibited to French Masonry is what would be prohibited by our civil laws , if it was not prohibited by our own laws ; that isto discuss

poli-, tical matters in lodge . The second article of the Constitution is explicit on this point . " In the elevated circle where it is placed , Masonry respects the religious faith and political sympathies of each of its members . But , during its meetings all discussion of this subject is expressly prohibited . " If the offending

Masons had infringed such an order ; if , as presidents of lodges , they had introduced or tolerated in their lodges the discussion of the opinions of their Grand Master , they would undoubtedly and deservedly be blameable—not to be declared unworthy , for they have done no dishonourable action—but to be warned or

called to order ; and we should , perhaps , have grounds to judge and punish them Masonieally . But nothing of the kind was brought forward , none of those whom they accused , nor any other persons in French Masonry , have committed this offence . We challenge them to cite a single instance among all the lodges

under the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient , of any discussion of the political acts of the Grand Master .. But if Masons assembled in lodge are subject to a certain discipline , every one upon his return to the civil Avorld has , like all citizens , the ri ght to express

his opinion , and to defend it , conformably with the laws of his country . The political acts of a Grand Master of the Masonic Order are open to discussion , like those of any other mortal , and can be weighed in the minds of all honest menwith this difference in favour of

, Masons , that the latter , more than the uninitiated , have an interest in his good name . The honour of their Grand Master should be their honour , and as dear to them as the glory of his commander is to the soldier ! But it is quite another thing when the matter

under consideration is the election of a Grand Master , Then nothing that can enlighten the minds of the elector ought to be neglected by the latter . How can we imagine that a public act sufficiently important to attract the attention of all to its author , could be indifferent to those who had charged him to represent

them officiall y ? If every public man awakens public interest , the representative awakens in a still more vivid manner the interests of those whom he represents . And when this representative , his powers having expired , comes forward again as a candidate , is it not an absolute rulewherever there is election ,

, or delegation , to render an account of his actions to his constituents ? And what is the use of this account rendered if it is not that he may submit hi « acts to judgment ?

But Masonry , they say , excludes politics , places itself above party agitations and state quarrels , ancl respects all opinions ? Certainly this is what we desire Masonry to be . But who dreams of debasing it from its exalted position but those who , in official reports , and in

anonymous pamphlets , have denounced their brethren as promulgating dangerous opinions ? Who then , up to the time when these unfortunate productions appeared , shielded under the wing of Masonic power , has ever dreamt , being a Mason , of condemning anyone for his political opinions ? Certainl y all convictions are equally entitled to respect when they aro sincere . But if tolerance is a virtue , indifference-is

a vice , sometimes even a crime . The man indifferent in politics , the man unprovided with principles , will cry by turns , Vive le Roi ! Vive la LigueJ and will breathe hot or cold according to circumstances . It is that which is immoral , and it is wise to prevent the manifestation of it . If you see a man turn his cockade , Avhat would he do Avith your banners

when you have chosen him for your chief ? Why do they not see that every action whieh relates to politics or reli gion raises a question oi moral laAv , and that no blow is struck against liberty of opinion or faith , by submitting the deeds , Avhatever they may be , political or religious , to this supreme criterion .

j . f it was otherwise , we should remove the right of condemning the traitor who sells his country , the coward who deserts the battle-field , the fanatic who kills , the inquisitor who tortures ; for these kinds of acts are always covered by politics or religion . We should pardon Eavaillae and Torquemada , Saint

Bartholomew and the Dragonades , and Ave should eonfound the glorious wreck of our armies which invasion found grouped round their colours , ready for death , not for disgrace , with these bands of brigands , who feed the ambition of kings to raise a civil war ! ( To he continued . )