Newspaper Page Text
COLUMBIA]
Wednesday Morning, April 1, 1868.
The Coming Rf-fcc t Ion.
Tho New York Herald predicts the
wui?cd;?-.Jo ..??vi iillci v?i?iutc??"vitxcii
of tho radical party, aa the result of
the negro suffrage bill recently intro?
duced into Congress. It argues that 1
sinoo the integrity of the party was i
based solely on thia issue, that the j
individual efforts of its members to i
trim their sails to tho popular wind, I
has happily destroyed its spirit and |
its impulse. Nothing now is left to j
keep it together but the cohesive j
power of public plunder. In this
view, most people will believo the !
Herald to be right. The verdict of
the elections throughout the West
?aa so overwhelmingly against the
establishment of negro suffrage, that
no radical politioian with any ambi?
tion will dare to risk his hopes by
advocating it. Mr. Broomall, who
offered the bill, may succeed in strik?
ing the shaokles from the South by
the identical blow with which he ex?
pected to rivet them irrevocably.
This bill declares that "all provisions
and enactments in State Constitu?
tions and laws, which make distinc?
tions between blacks and whites, as
regards civil or political rights, shall
be void and of no effect, " and may
decidedly bo characterized as-sweep?
ing. It is cheering to note, however,
that Judge Spaulding (one of the
most violent o? radicals) opposed it
strenuously, and declared that "ra?
ther than vote for it, his right arm
should fall from its socket. " Several
other radical members also gave Mr.
Broomall a severe brush. It is very
evident that all are not prepared to
follow blindly the leadership of Thad.
Stevens and Ben. Wade. Bad in?
deed must be tho course pursued by
the radical directory at Washington,
when we find members of it, and. its
press, losing no opportunity to place
a personal" disclaimer upon record
even while aiding in its enormities.
Butler, Chase, Stevens, and many i
others, have taken occasion to cast
an anchor to the windward in antici- j
pation of the day of sweeping retri- i
butiou yet in store for them. What
iq true of individuals is moro strik
ingly apparent in the press. For the ?
first time, perhaps, in the history of |
the country, and it speaks well both
for the spirit of thc ago and tho !
dignity of tho profession, wo find
editors who, while they sacrifice their
own priuciples to tho party whip, I
and work obediently in party traces,
yet refuse to prostitute tho columns
of their papers to tho advocacy of
measures they [know to be unjust
and unrighteous. The editor of the
Nation, iu its last issue, hitherto the j
vade mecumol radicalism, thus washes
his hands like a modern Pontius Pi
late of the sins of his people, while !
contemplating tho elevation of Ben. :
Wade to the Presidency:
"He is lamentably ignorant with ?
regard to tho various economical j
questions by which tho country is
beset, and, if he has any opinions on
finance at all, they are probably not
very favorable to tho maintenance of
tho national credit. In his selection I
of his Cabinet, he is likely to prefer
zeal-of which we have already as
much as the country can stand-to
discretion nnd knowledge, which the
country is dying for want of. What
is worse, he will probably, with that
blind reverence for party traditions
and practices for which men of his
stamp are generally remarkable, feel
that his first dutv in nf??rn is to usn
tho Federal patronage to help tho
Bepublican party at tho Presidential
election-which is simply another
way of saying that he will do what
ho can to increase the corruption and
debauchery, waste of tho public mo?
ney and degradation of Government
officials, which havo mado tho civil
Bcrvico as great a disgrace as ever
befell a Christian country. For tho
liko of it, vo have to search the
chronicles of tho worst Enropean
monarchies in the eighteenth cen?
tury."
' Tb? N?w tSrTe?tis Tith?? thinks it
high timo that tho peoplo of th?
North ahouiil become alarmed at the
oondnct of their accredited represen?
tatives. By .permitted peculations
and-wnst?ful expenditures, they havo
ruined tho credit of the country; by
trampling nuder foot all the b>ws and
traditions of political economy, they
have iu a great measure destroyed
our commerce, and transferred what
remains of it to foreign bottoms; by
encroaching on tho chartered rights
of the other departments of the
Government, they have sapped tho
foundations of our political institu?
tions, and completely destroyed tbut
balance of power on which onr re?
publican system depends for its
solidity and perpetuity. A House of
Representatives which has arbitrarily
denied representation to ten States of
the Union, though imposing on them
unjust and iniquitous taxes, has, not?
withstanding its incompleteness, pre?
ferred letters of impeachment against
the President of tho United States,
on grounds which aro at once ridicu?
lously flimsy and wickedly partisan,
and a Senate, which has no pretence
to being such a Senate as the Consti?
tution requires, yet undertakes to
perform the high duties of a court
of impeachment, on an authority
pretended to be derived from the
Constitution! Blind, indeed, must
that man bo who sees nothing of
usurpation and danger in all this.
Though the weight of radical op?
pression has thus far rested chiefly
on the Southern people, yet the re?
turning tide is even now beginning
to sweep against the breastworks of
the North, destroying the profits of a
sectional industry, which rested for
protection upon fraud and the thin
bubbles of kite-flying speculators,
which they had foolishly relied upon
aa substantial representatives of
wealth. We look for exciting times
among the politicians of the North
before the issue of the next Presi?
dential election shall be given to thc
world. The hell-broth of radicalism
is already boiling in the cauldron, and
lizard's tongue and blind worm's
sting cannot make it so "thick and
slab" as to render it acceptable to a
people whose sober second thought
can no longer be evaded or delayed.
Local .Ttoma.
A despatch received in this city,
yesterday, from a prominent gentle?
man in Washington, who has just re?
turned from Connecticut, says tho
Democrats are confident of success.
About ll o'clock, last night, the
roof of a house, belonging to Mr. J.
M. Crawford, in Colton Town, was'
discovered lo be on fire. Tho alarm
was sounded, and the firemou prompt?
ly turned out, but their services wero
not required, as tho flames were ex?
tinguished with a few buckets of
water.
The tableaux last night, for the
benefit of the Memorial Association,
were not so successful, in a pecuniary
point, as on a previous occasion;
nevertheless, a substantial sum was
realized. The performance was a
decided improvement, and the ladies
and gentlemen connected with tho
affair aro entitled to general com?
mendation for so successfully carrying
out their self-imposed task. We shall
endeavor hereafter to give a moro
extended notice.
THE THKATJUUAIJS.-Tho "South?
ern Dramatics," assisted by Mr. J.
R. Lawrance, (who gave such gene?
ral satisfaction during the past win?
ter,) will give a theatrical entertain?
ment, this evening, in Calisthenic
Hall. Tho pieces selected aro tho
drama of "Michael Erle" and the
farce of "Tho Limerick Boy," inter?
spersed with singing and dancing.
Tho price of admission is only 25
cents.
We" are'TeqUested to state that De?
mocratic delegates will be boarded
for. #1.50 per doy atthe.Central
Hotel, (Shiver. House,) diming tho
session of the Convention, which
assembles on Thursday, 2d April.
By reference to our advertising
columns, it will be seen that the pro?
prietor of the Clendining House, will
aacommodate members of tho Con?
vention at $1.50 por day.
Passengers over tho Charlotte Hall
road will note an important chango
in the schedule-tho trains now leave
at 4 p. m. Close connections at
Charlotte and Greensboro are now
made by this route, omi passengers
will be pushed through rapidlj-.
An immense open air meeting of
the Republicans, was held last night,
at which several speeches were de?
livered. The late hour at which it
adjourned, prevents our giving a re?
port of tho proceedings this morn?
ing; but we shall do so in our next.
DEDICATION OF THE NEW MASON IO
HAnti-iNTEnESTiNO CEREMONIES.
This handsome and convenient build?
ing, erected by Mr. George Davis,
under the architectural direction of
G. T. Berg, Esq., was dedicated
yesterday afternoon, With all tho
imposing ceremonies of this ancient
order. By 3 o'olock, the hall was
filled with ladies-the "lords of crea?
tion" accompanying them being
forced to take "standee berths."
The members of the fraternity assem?
bled at Odd Fellows' Hall, about
half-past 3, and were arranged in
procession by Grand Master Alexan?
der. A number of visiting members
participated; Excelsior Lodge, of
Charlotte, N. C., being fully repre?
sented. The following are the Co?
lumbia Lodges: Bichland Lodge
No. 39; Truo Brotherhood No. 84;
Acacia Lodge No. 94; Columbia
Lodge No 108, and Columbia Chap?
ter. At 4 o'clock, the procession
took np its line of march, through
tho principal streets, to the build?
ing to be dedicated. On arriving in
tho hall, the Master of the Lodge,
(John McKenzie) addressed Grand
Master Orr as follows:
"Tho brethren being animated
with a desiro to promote the honor
and interest of the craft, have ereci
ed a Masonic hall for their conveni?
ence and accommodation. They are
desirous that the same should bo ex?
amined by tho Most Worshipful
Grand Lodge, and if it should meet
their approbation, that it should bo
solemnly dedicated to Masonic pur?
poses agreeably to ancient form and
usage."
Architect Berg then addressed the
Grand Master, presenting to him the
plumb, square and level:
"Most Worshipful, having been
entrusted] with tho superintendence
and management of tho workmen
employed in tho construction of this
edifico, and having, according to tho
best of my ability, accomplished the
task assigned mo, I now return my
thanks for tho honor of this appoint?
ment, and beg leave to surrender up
tho implements which were commit?
ted to my care, when the foundation
of this fabric was laid; humbly hop?
ing that tho exertions which have
been made on this occasion, will be
crowned with your approbation and
that of the Most Worshipful Grand
Lodge."
To which Grand Master Orr re?
plied:
"Brother Architect, thc skill and
fidelity displayed in the execution of
the trust reposed in you, nt tho com?
mencement of this undertaking, have
secured tho entire approbation of
the Grand Lodge; and iney sincerely
pray that this edifico may continuo a
lasting monument of tho taste, spirit,
and liberality of its founders."
Deputy ( i rand Master (Jacob Le?
vin) responded:
"Most Worshipful, tho hnll in
which we aro now assembled, and the
plan upon which it has been con?
structed, having met with your ap?
probation, it is tho desiro o' tho fra?
ternity that it should now bo dedi?
cated, according to ancient form and
usage."
The officers of the various lodges
then marched in procession around
the hall, with tho emblems of their
offices; after which the consecration
prayer was offered by the Grand
Chaplain (J. L. Dixon.) An odo was
then sung by the choir, accompanied
on the. organ by Prof. Pintti. The
j "public grand honora" of tho order
were then given. The benediction
was pronounced, after which the
Ttov. J. Li. Fveynolds was introduced,
who delivered nu interesting and in?
structive address, in substance as
follows:
The speaker begun by remarking
that when tho fraternity laid the
corner stone of tho unw State House,
twelve years ago, ho took occasion,
in the address delivered at that time,
to say that the edifice begun at a
period of peace and prosperity
would, ere its completion, bo the
witness of civil war and ita terrible
consequences. The anticipated storm
had burst upou the State; and the
unfinished house now stands amid
the ruins of our fair city, a sad but
suggestive symbol of a subjugated
commonwealth. Duriug tho progress
of that unhappy scctioual strife,
Masonry asserted its beneficent sway,
softening the asperities of war,
throwing the shield of its protection
over the wounded and vanquished
on the field of battle, relieving Hit
wants of tho captive; and when tht
last battle had been fought, it wa.<
the first to stretch forth, over tho rec
sea of fraternal blood, the hand o:
conciliation and sympathy.
In the fire-storm which swept awaj
our beautiful city, the halls of th?
fraternity had perished; but, like
their ancient brethren at Jerusalem
they cluug to the ashes and black
ened remnants cf their homes anc
altars, and although oppressed am:
sad, they girded themselves for tin
work of rearing a shrine for tin
jewels of the order and a temple foi
the celebration of its mysteries-ant
by the good hand of God upon then
they had come, this day, to dedicati
their hall to its appropriate usos.
In past ages, architecture embo
died national ideas. India ant
Egypt expressed their conceptions o
tho grand and the mysterious
Greece enshrined the beautiful
Gothic architecture symbolized th?
sentiments of religion and tho nspi
rations of piety. Nothing of th?
kind appears now, and the only sig
nificauce of the hall then dedicatee
consisted in the purposes it wai
designed to snbservo. Tho Masoni
of Columbia were ouly raising uj
their fallen altar, relighting its ex
tinguished fires, and thus maintain
ing tho succession which connect?e
them with the venerable founders o
the institution.
Tho origin and early history o
Masonry is only dimly discoveret
amid tho haze which envelopes tin
primitive annals of our race. Al
efforts to connect it with the aucieu
heathen mysteries, with Greek o
Roman brotherhoods and clubs, o:
with Auglo-Saxon guilds, hav<
proved unsuccessful. They mistool
parAal resemblance for identity o
origin. All institutions framed b;
men, and for similar ends, mus
possess many features in common
The affinities, which have beeu de
tected between Masonry and othe
institutions, are to be ascribed to tb
fact that they are all aliko the pro
duots of the human mind in it
strivings after a common end.
There is no connection betweei
Masonry and the ancient forms o
polytheism and | idol-worship, th
adoration of the Heavenly bodiet
On tho contrary, in its empbati
recognition of one God, tho suprem
architect of the universe, it has bee
tho champion of theism. Associate
with revealed religion, it has followe
tho current of Jewish and Christie
tradition, and never bowed its kne
to any divinity except tho God c
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Masonry, like all human iustiti!
t ions, is the growth of mnu's sense c
need and desire of improvemeul
Tho desire of knowledge is naturi
aud irrepressible. Science is bot
theoretical and practical; and Mason
ry ia sp?culative and operative. Ri
fore tho invention of tho printin
press, knowledge was preserved 1?
tradition; and the members of th
craft, at their meetings, commun i
cated to ono another tho principle
of science, reported new discovoric
and inventions, and thus iustructe
their junior brethren. A lodge wa
a school of art, speculative and ope
rative.
Masonry, although no longer ope
rative, and scarcely specula live in th
Benne in wbioh it was formerly, is
sustained by the supply which it
furnishes to some of the inherent
demands of our nature. Man is ,jA
social being, and craves fellowship?
with his kind. Fellowship bogett*w
friendship} softens the heart and
prompts it to deeds of charity. Cha?
rity is thc culminating virtue of Ma?
sonry, the lust round of that mystic
ladder which reaches from earth,
with its gloom and sorrow, to Heaven,
with its everlasting light and joy.
No social organization eau subsist
apart from moral principles and
duties. Ileuco Masonry naturally
evolves and rests upon them as its
firm foundation. It places upon its
altar the Holy Bible, as a great light,
tho supreme rule of human conduct.
The fellowships of this world are
transient. Time is constantly with?
drawing the objects of friendship and
love. Even the guarded threshold
of a lodge is invaded by a terrible
King, who defies the Tyler's sword,
forces his way to the inner shrine,
and hangs over it the sable drapery
of death. Is the grave the goal of
human existence? This question
drew our ancient brethren within tho
sacred precincts of revelation. They
looked np to the Great Father and
heard His words. "The dust shall
return to the earth as it was, and the
spirit shall return to God who gave
it." Henceforth, tho hope cf im?
mortality became a cherished posses?
sion; aud Masonry planted upon the
grave the evergreen emblem of an
unfading life. I havo thus (said
tho speaker) sketched tho natural
history and shown the rational ge?
nesis of Free Masonry, springing up
! amid the simplest necessities of our
nature, and culminating in religion.
Axt hus its ideal of beauty; religion
its ideal of holiness, and Masonry its
ideal of virtue; but none of thom is
ever realized in this world. Ho is
the truest Mason who approaches
nearest to the great exemplar; and
only those who are striving after this
high attainment are worthy to kneel
at tho altar, which we, this day, erect
to the Supremo Architect. This ideal
can be roached only by persevering,
daily effort. In the formation of
character, we are operative Masons.
We must work. When the Emperor
Severus loy upon his death-bed, the
terminus of an agitated and toilsomo
life, his ruling passion spoke from
his closing lips, whilst he said to his
friends-11 Laboremus, ue must work."
Let this be the maxim of our moral
j and spiritual life-Laboremus, we
must work.
The interest and pleasuro of the
proceedings wero materially added to
by the successful efforts of the choir,
and. several Masonic odes were ad?
mirably executed. Our Masonic
friends now have a place of assembly
which is an ornament to the city;
and the erection of the building is a
substantial monument to one of the
cardinal principles of tho order
charity; as the most of the funds re?
quired for its erection was contribut?
ed by sister lodges in different por?
tions of the United States-Califor?
nia making a substantial donation,
and Maine responding in au equally
liberal spirit.
The proceedings of tho day ended
in a Masonic banquet, prepared, as
I we suppose, in Mr. McKenzie's best
I style-but, as "we" are, unfortunnte
j ly, not connected with the mystic ^
: brotherhood, wo cannot speak defi?
nitely of what was provided, said or
dono aronnd the festive board.
ONE F ABB.-Wo aro authorized to
state that delegates to tho Democratic
State Convention, in Columbia, to
bo held on the 2d of April, will bo
passed over the railroads, to and fro,
for one faro. Our conutry exchanges
will please extend this notico.
MAIL ARRANGEMENTS.-Tho post
! offico opon during tho week from 8}.?
, a. m. to C p. m. On buudaj's, trow
? 4>.? to u}4 p. m.
Tho Charleston and Western mails
aro open for delivery at 4 p. m., and
close at 8 '.j p. m.
Northern-Open for delivery at
8'.j a. m., closes at 3.45 p. m.
Greenville-Open for delivery 5'
p. m., closes at 8 p. m.
.NEW ADVEnTUUUCBNTB. -Al IQllMoll ia ca?.
ed to tho following advertisements, pub?
lished thin morning for tho Qrsl time
Regular Meeting Richland Lodge.
' " " Ohicora B. B. Club.
Performance of H. Y. M. Dramatics.
