THE BUILDER MAGAZINE
April 1918
volume 4 - number 4
THOMAS J. SHRYOCK: AN
APPRECIATION
BY BRO. JOHN H. COWLES, 33d ACTIVE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Many times we have
heard expressions of wonderment on the part of Masons living in other Grand
Jurisdictions because of Brother Shryock's long term of service as Grand Master
of Maryland. It was our privilege to be personally acquainted with him and to be
numbered among those who loved him. To such there was no need to make inquiry
regarding these years of service In every office to which he was elected in
Masonry, he served with a superb capacity, but it was the spirit in which he
served that caused him to be universally loved. As in life, so in death, many
charities and benevolences will have cause to remember his generosity and
broadmindedness. His most typical expression was that "the word 'can't' is not
in my dictionary" - a phrase which easily sounds the keynote of his ability as
an executive. His character, energy and kindly spirit mark him as the most
unique, if not the most prominent Masonic character of this generation.
EDITOR
THOMAS JACOB SHRYOCK,
Grand Master of Maryland, was serving his thirty-second year in that official
position when called by the Grim Reaper, February third, 1918, and the Masons of
Maryland were so pleased and satisfied with his administration that the chances
are he would have served many more years.
This is the record for
length of service as Grand Master of any Grand Body of Masons in the United
States. His administration of Masonic affairs in Maryland has been wonderfully
successful. Not long after he was first elected Grand Master, fire destroyed the
Temple, but it was rebuilt, and a few years ago, fire again destroyed the Temple
and it was again rebuilt. The new Temple is one of the most beautiful and
complete Temples in the United States. In each case Grand Master Shryock was
appointed chairman of a committee of one to rebuild the Temple destroyed by
fire. The finances of the Grand Lodge have been especially well managed, deeply
in debt at one time, with its credit almost gone, he and his brother William H.
Shryock, financed the Grand Lodge, restored its credit and today the new Temple
is almost paid for, and the per capita may be reduced.
The Grand Lodge of
Maryland has no Masonic Home, so the Grand Lodge contributes to many Protestant
Hospitals and Homes, and engages in welfare work, and contributes liberally to
charity.
Grand Master Shryock
endorsed the Liberty Bond issues strongly and the Masons of Baltimore alone
invested nearly eight hundred thousand dollars in them. The Masons of Maryland
have also given about fifteen thousand dollars to the George Washington Masonic
National Memorial Association.
The wonderful success,
the splendid harmony and the good works of the Masons in Maryland are mostly due
to his excellent leadership. He was genial, kindly courteous, affable, and
approachable, for he was truly democratic. These virtues, added to his executive
ability, have given the Masons of Maryland the most concrete and perhaps best
government of any Grand Lodge. The Masons of Maryland at least were satisfied,
and no doubt rightly so, for they preferred to keep one good Grand Master in the
harness rather than to indulge in frequent changes.
Grand Master Shryock
was born in Baltimore, February 27, 1851, of Prussian descent, and his
great-grandfather was Lieutenant Colonel in the Sixth Battalion, Maryland Line,
in the Revolutionary war. On the visit of Lafayette to Alexandria in 1824,
General Shryock's mother, then a little girl and daughter of Thomas Shields, a
Mason and member of Brooke Lodge No. 147 of Alexandria, Virginia, and Washington
Encampment No. 1, Knights Templar, of Washington, D.C., was selected to recite a
childish welcome to Bro. Lafayette, on the occasion of a Masonic parade in honor
of a visit of the great Frenchman to Washington. Two Lodges formed the parade -
Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, of which Washington had been Master, and
Brooke Lodge No. 147.
The General, as he was
familiarly called by his intimate friends, was active in other branches of
Masonry. He was Treasurer General of the Supreme Council, 33d Ancient and
Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., Sovereign Grand Inspector
General in Maryland, Grand Treasurer of the General Grand Chapter, R.A.M., of
the United States, President of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Association, Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Maryland, Past Grand
Master of the Grand Council, Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery, and
was an honorary member of so many Masonic Bodies in this country and Europe that
it would make this sketch too long to name them.
In politics he was a
Republican and had the distinction of being the only Republican who ever held
the office of Treasurer of the State of Maryland. He was Brigadier General on
the staff of Gov. Henry Lloyd, which gives him the title, General, that
thousands of friends lovingly called him by. He served one term as Police
Commissioner of Baltimore, and at the time of his death was a member of the
Sewerage Commission of that city. He was president of the Lumber Company that
bears his name, President of the Iron Mountain and Greenbrier Railroad, Director
of the Second National Bank, Consolidated Gas and Electric Light & Power
Company, Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, Bell Telephone Company, and
other corporations. Was also Treasurer of Springfield State Hospital, and
President Board of House of Reformation for Colored Boys. It takes a busy man to
do things, hence his life was full of service. All who came in contact with him
loved him, and it is impossible to describe the affection and veneration that
all Masons in Maryland have had for him, or to measure in words the loss which
they now feel.
----o----
CAN WE BUILD A REAL UNIVERSAL MASONRY?
BY BRO. JOSEPH W. NORWOOD, KENTUCKY
SOME HOPEFUL WORLD MOVEMENTS TENDING TO MASONIC SOLIDARITY
Some two years ago Brother Norwood established LIGHT as an
international Masonic Newspaper. Under his able edit direction a staff of
correspondents has been built up for the purpose of obtaining first-hand
information concerning Masonic activities in all States and Countries. Through
this channel Brother Norwood has come in touch with the various Masonic systems
and Rites throughout the world, and has gathered from them something of their
hopes and aspirations, their national characteristics and their efforts in their
own Countries in behalf of the welfare of humanity.
This article is a review of Masonic activities throughout
the world at present, presenting a bird's-eye view of possibilities which should
be of real value to our American Masonic leaders. We express no opinion as to
the correctness of Brother Norwood's conclusions, but present them for
reflection and as a basis for discussion.
Editor
SOME years after I had been made a Mason, a member of
another Lodge introduced to me an Italian brother who desired to visit my Lodge.
I examined his diploma, questioned him closely, received the grip and word and
satisfied myself that he belonged to a regular Italian Lodge.
But my own Grand Lodge had made it impossible for this
Italian Mason to visit or communicate with us Masonically. Reflection convinced
our Master, as it convinced me, that Freemasonry was greater than Grand Lodge
violations of "the ancient principles," so we allowed this brother to visit us
but did not advertise the fact.
This incident led to an investigation as to why Kentucky
Masons were forbidden to recognize Masons belonging to Lodges in Germany,
Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Servia,
Hungary, Mexico, Brazil, Argentine or any of a dozen or more other jurisdictions
whose members had been taught to believe they were members of one universal
family.
Further investigation developed the fact that while
American Masonic Grand Lodges generally recognize English-speaking Masonry of
all countries, they recognize no other; that there are really three other great
groups of Masonic jurisdictions, concerning which our American Masonry knows
practically nothing and seems to care less. These are Latin-speaking, Teutonic,
and Scandinavian Masonry.
Therefore it appeared as though myself and others had been
misled when, after initiation, we were told that we were then Master Masons, and
as such entitled to visit Lodges all over the world and that Masonry which
regards all men as brothers, was universal.
It took me some time to realize that Masonry, or rather the
Spirit of Masonry, and the Masonic Organization were two entirely different
things. The former is the only thing "universal" about the "world brotherhood."
So when, two years or more ago, I determined to devote my
entire time and energy to the establishment of a medium through which American
and English speaking Masonry could keep constantly in touch with the activities
of the rest of the Masonic world, regardless of the question of recognition or
ritual, this question of why German Masonry, for instance, was "regular" and
recognized in New York and quite the reverse in Kentucky, was naturally
uppermost in my mind.
THE BEGINNING OF DISINTEGRATION
Through correspondence and actual investigation, I learned
a great many things about that "why." Here are some of them:
Before the days of railroad, telegraph and cable, it was
true that a Freemason in an American Lodge could congratulate himself on
affiliation with an organization that recognized a brother Mason the world over.
This happy condition obtained practically everywhere until after our Civil War.
The first rift in the lute was the severance of relations
between American and English Masonry on the one part and French Masonry on the
other. American Masonry severed relations with France over a question of ritual
and jurisdiction. France had recognized a spurious Cerneau body in Louisiana*
which had invaded the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of that state. Years after
France discovered her mistake and withdrew the recognition. However the harm had
been done.
In the meanwhile English Masonry was horrified by the
action of the French Orient in reverting to the original English Charge, which
paid no attention to any religion save that in which all good men are agreed,
and in removing the Christian and all other Bibles from the Masonic altar so
there might be no contention among members as to creed.
The English Masons cut off relations with France as a
godless and atheistic body. America had already severed connections and felt
justified in continuing the status quo because of this "terrible" act. Gradually
most of the world did likewise and France was thereupon stigmatized the world
over as "atheistic" despite its denial and the fact that time and again it
explained why a Protestant Grand Master and Christian minister did this thing,
and that the Lodges upheld him.
HOW CAN WE EXPLAIN TO THE INITIATE?
It has taken just forty years of time, and this war, to
bring us to realize how far disintegration has gone. The craft as a whole is
just beginning to understand through an awakened press--through being brought
face to face with actual conditions as they exist today, that the Spirit of
Suspicion, of Intolerance, of Provincialism, has been substituted for the Spirit
of Brotherly Love and Relief.
Here are some examples of facts and conditions that no
amount of sophistry or theology on the part of the orthodox can satisfactorily
explain to the newly made Mason who was led to the door of our "Men's House" by
a favorable opinion of our institution gathered from the record of past glories
and achievements. Practically every Masonic jurisdiction in the world is
recognized by one or more American Grand Lodges --but not by all.
* At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of
Louisiana held February 4, 5 and 6, 1918, fraternal relations were resumed with
the Grand Orient of France.
American Grand Lodges have no means of taking uniform
action concerning anything vital to the life and spirit of the craft. There is
neither uniformity of work, ritual nor action. What is "good Masonry" in one
state is so under suspicion in another that without a catalog of regular Lodges,
mere oral examination no longer suffices to determine a brother's status as a
Man and Mason.
Some states authorize cipher rituals, while others condemn
them as violations of the "ancient landmarks." There are innumerable lists of
"landmarks," scarcely two of them alike, and legislation is based upon these
supposed lists.
The doors have been thrown wide open to the invasion of
various clandestine bodies calling themselves Masonic, which absorb material
from other countries which we fail to "recognize." Yet we complain of the
invasion of our jurisdiction by these foreign Grand Lodges when they establish
their own regular language Lodges among us to meet this very clandestinism, and
thereby widen the breach.
Our foreign correspondence committees have largely been
composed of brethren who seemingly have a contempt for any language they cannot
read, and who have in some cases actually spent their official lives discovering
reasons why we should not recognize foreign Masonry rather than reasons why we
should.
In only too many cases of record, such committees depend
upon like committees in other states for their information concerning this
suspicious foreign Masonry. And while the blind are leading the blind, they
hearken to the alleged tales of Masonry in politics and atheistic practices from
the very persons and organizations whose life work is to destroy Freemasonry and
all its fruits. Naturally information from such sources cannot be relied
upon--but we have been relying upon it without either examining our own
shortcomings or taking the trouble to give our brethren a hearing.
INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS FOR SOLIDARITY IN EUROPE
But there is another side to this picture that is
distinctly encouraging.
Some years ago, Past Grand Master Ed. Quartier La-Tente, of
Switzerland, established his International Masonic Bureau for Masonic Affairs at
Neuchatel. This Bureau began the laborious task of gathering and disseminating
first-hand information concerning Freemasonry of all countries, rites and
jurisdictions. It gained the adherence of Latin and Teutonic Masonry and the
respectful interest of British, and some American, Grand Lodges before the war
temporarily suspended its activities.
Later, during the war, its work was approved by the Grand
Lodge of Switzerland and was resumed under the direction of Bro. La-Tente and a
committee of officers. It is now, besides gathering data, conducting a Bureau
for the exchange of Masonic and other prisoners of war, for finding lost Masons
and relieving various other distresses.
But German Masonry, under the iron heel of autocracy had to
sever relations with the Bureau as well as with the Masons of enemy countries
and the entente cordiale between French and German, and English and German
Masonry which it was bringing about just before the war has been disrupted for
the time. Nevertheless this International Bureau stands today with hands
outstretched to all bodies, urging solidarity of world Masonry.
For a number of years International Masonic Congresses have
been held by European continental Masonry in Switzerland, Holland and France,
and these have done much to bring about something of unity of thought and
action. The latest of these Congresses met last June in Paris, with French,
Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Servian, Belgian and some other scattering bodies
represented, and drew up a Peace Program strikingly similar to that later
advocated by President Wilson and the Allied governments in this war. This
program represented only the Masonic opinion of that Congress, but was
officially communicated to all governments as a suggestion--a pattern.
The French Grand Orient, Dr. Magelhaes Lima, recently Grand
Master of Portugal, and the late Dr. Miguel Morayta, Grand Master of Spain, were
strong advocates of a Latin-Masonic Union in Europe and their work has borne
fruit within the past two years in bringing about a virtual solidarity of Latin
Masonry on the continent. One of the splendid accomplishments of this propaganda
has been the settlement of differences between the rival Masonic Grand Bodies of
Italy, and their recent union (last November) under Grand Master Ernesto Nathan.
The actual organization of a Latin Union, however, has not yet been accomplished
but is anticipated as the first step toward a greater sympathy and solidarity
with other racial Masonic groups after the war.
EFFORTS OF LATIN AMERICA
A similar series of International Masonic Congresses has
been held in South America for the Latin Masons of the central and southern
portions of this continent, generally in Brazil or Argentina. And a like project
for a Latin-Masonic Union of American Masons is under way and will be discussed
at the next Congress to be held in Buenos Aires, May 25, this year.
Few of the American Grand Lodges recognize any of these
American Latin bodies save Costa Rica, Cuba and Porto Rico, all in the West
Indies. Peru is recognized by a few jurisdictions because about twenty years ago
there was some agitation there over removing the Bible from the altar, which the
Grand Lodge refused to do, thereby winning the recognition of a few American
Grand Lodges as a "reward."
Louisiana has made somewhat of a specialty in first-hand
investigation and because of her Latin sympathies and understanding of Latin
Masonry, has gone further than any other American Grand Lodge in recognition of
Masonry in Central and South America.
Massachusetts within the last two years has recognized the
Grand Lodge of Panama after investigation by a special committee and because of
an amiable disposition to agree upon jurisdiction in the Panama Canal Zone.
But the largest and most energetic Masonic jurisdictions
remain a closed door to American Masonry, largely through indifference and
ignorance.
THE 40,000 MASONS OF BRAZIL
Brazil, for example, the most powerful of South American
bodies, is doing Masonic work of which no American Grand Lodge would be ashamed
and which indeed none of them have equaled. Yet it is "unrecognized."
Brazil not only supports its Masonic widows and orphans in
much the same fashion as do the Grand Lodges of the United States, but in the
midst of hostile environments-conducts night and day schools for young and old
regardless of creed or politics; devotes large sums to its own and other
charities and relief work; makes its Masonic Temples homes and places of refuge
for the distressed, and carries into the savage wilds of that immense country
the spirit of progress and civilization as no other human force can do or has
done.
It was the direct interposition of Brazilian Masonry,
through its actual Grand Master, Dr. Nilro Pecahna, now Minister of foreign
affairs, that nipped in the bud the efforts of Imperial Germany to swing Brazil,
and with her all South and Central America, into line against the United States
when it declared war on Germany.
Dr. Pecahna and his Masonic brothers have done more to
educate our Latin-American neighbors in an understanding of that American
brotherhood which the United States wishes to evolve through the Pan American
Congress, than any other association of thinkers on this hemisphere. And from
Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela and other South and Central American
Countries, Freemasons are constantly writing to LIGHT advocating closer union
and the cementing of, not only fraternal, but social and commercial, relations.
Of this Latin Masonry, Cuba is best known to America as it
is generally recognized because of our close contact with its people during the
Spanish-American war.
Grand Master Curbelo of Cuba is a most ardent advocate of
the Latin-Masonic Union and in his enthusiasm a year ago addressed all the North
American Grand Lodges suggesting that there be a Federation of the Masonry of
both North and South America, to be expressed through a friendly Congress. No
attention was paid his fraternal suggestion save by the Grand Lodge of Michigan
which flatly refused to consider it!
AMERICANIZING THE PHILIPPINES
In the Philippines American Masonry established itself
immediately after the Spanish-American War and later erected a Grand Lodge,
wholly American in character and utterly unable to fraternize with the native
Filipino and Spanish Masons under the jurisdiction of the Spanish Grand Orient.
The serious positions of Masons in those islands where but
recently the church and State were united, and Freemasons were shot to death for
the crime of being Freemasons, made some action imperative. And within the past
year the American Grand Lodge has solved this problem by taking into its bosom
twenty eight of these Spanish Lodges and chartering others, so that in a single
day the Philippines were unified. One of the recent additions to regular
Philippine Masonry is Brother Emilio Aguinaldo, former leader of his people
against Spanish rule and then against the misunderstood Americans.
Under wise and skillful leaders our brethren of the
Philippines have planted Masonry in the very Temple of Heaven in Peking, China;
in Japan and other places in the Orient, carrying with them the true spirit of
Liberty through love and co-operation and stilling the turbulent unrest of
ignorance through education.
THE MASONIC OSTRICH OF MEXICO
In Mexico, the sad spectacle of a split in the Valle de
Mexico during the revolution has brought the York Grand Lodge, purely American
in character, into almost general recognition in place of the original Grand
Lodge. It is greatly to be regretted that the American brethren, in their
efforts to prove their regularity, have constantly denied the existence of any
other Masonry in Mexico save their own, for despite their denials some ten
Mexican native Grand Lodges continue to flourish, including the Valle de Mexico.
These are mostly in fraternal relation and co-operation with Central and South
American Masonry who have found it difficult to understand why their American
brothers withdrew sympathy from them in time of need.
So here again is an opportunity for readjustment and
understanding that may afford the York Grand Lodge organization the chance to
accomplish what the Philippine Grand Lodge did, when passions and prejudices
have been overcome. For by the returns furnished LIGHT from these native Mexican
Lodges their membership is two to three times that of the York Grand Lodge.
FOUR RACIAL GROUPS
1. Taking a bird's-eye view of Freemasonry outside the pale
of present American recognition we find Teutonic Masonry (Germany and
Austria-Hungary) voluntarily cut off from English-speaking and Latin Masonry.
But they still maintain relations with Scandinavian Masonry (Norway, Sweden and
Denmark) in which two Kings are Grand Masters and the most learned men of the
country are leaders as well as students.
These three neutral countries are the great peace center of
Europe so far as Germany is concerned, and here are centered the hopes of the
German people for peace. It was the king of Sweden, Grand Master of Masons, who
surrendered half his kingdom rather than "see brother slay brother" and from the
Nobel Prize Awards to the encouragement of all peace propaganda, the Spirit of
Freemasonry is nowhere more powerful than in Scandinavia, recognized by all the
world save some American jurisdictions.
2. Latin Masonry in Europe and Latin Masonry in America
have common ideals and aims and are now virtually consolidated. The European
Masonic Congresses are frequently attended by American Masons of Latin
jurisdictions.
3. English-speaking Masonry is generally recognized by
America and in turn recognizes many jurisdictions not generally recognized by
America, such as Egypt.
This being so, could not a Master's touch bring them all
together for united effort in rebuilding the world after this war?
I believe that it can--and that it will!
America can supply that Master touch. Will she do it?
AMERICA MUST BRING MASONIC WORLD TOGETHER
There are the elements of a great renaissance for world
Freemasonry in America today.
The "get together" movement has not only unified Italian
Masonry but that of Argentine within recent months.
We have our Grand Masters' Conventions, Grand Secretaries'
Guild, and various state Past Grand Masters', Masonic Veterans', Masters' and
Wardens' Associations which have brought about a general desire in the rank and
file of the craft for united action.
But we have no general advisory body such as England's
United Grand Lodge which guides the destinies of as many (or more) "Provincial
and District Grand Lodges" as we have State Grand Lodges. Or the Grosser
Logenbund of Germany with its eight independent Grand Lodges and Rites working
in absolute harmony. Or the national Grand Orients and Councils of Latin
countries which unify the work and studies of otherwise conflicting Rites.
Yet we have the International Masonic Relief Board of the
United States and Canada, including Cuba and Costa Rica to which all but one or
two of our Grand Lodges adhere.
We have the Masonic War Relief Association which all our
American Grand Lodges are now supporting and which extends its aid to our
Brother Masons of other countries regardless of questions of recognition and
Grand Lodge legislation.
We have our National Masonic Research Society whose
researches and labors are now encouraged and applauded by all jurisdictions.
We have our George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Association whose worthy purpose of preserving to posterity the true record of
how and by whom the American ideal of Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood was
given expression in the building of this Republic as a great Temple of Humanity,
has received almost universal approbation.
Are these four great National activities of American
Masonry not the forerunners of still greater works of co-operation and unity?
Are they not expressions of the craft desire for united and virile action? May
they not become the foundation of some such plan for united action, for Grand
Lodge co-operation in all the branches of Masonic endeavor, as crystallized in
Bro. George L. Schoonover's proposal for a National Council for Masonic Defense
?
SOME SIGNS OF THE TIMES Those to whom such ideas do not
appeal would do well to reflect upon "the signs of the times" showing the temper
and desire of the craft at large, outside books of ancient history and beyond
the meaningless beauties of oratory concerning patriotism and democracy and
brotherhood so convincingly expressed by after dinner speakers and Grand Masters
at cornerstone layings.
These brethren have so long been accustomed to tell us what
Freemasons accomplished in the Revolution, what they did in humanity's battles
for freedom and education, how they stand like the rock of Gibraltar for the
spirit of Americanism, for the public schools, for religious toleration and for
this, that or the other thing of the past, that they have perhaps not realized
how sincerely their hearers believe it all to be true and demand the same action
of Freemasonry today as they are told it took in the past.
Such glorious speeches as fill the days of every Grand
Lodge communication, every Masonic banquet or cornerstone laying, may be
delivered by their owners in part payment for the honors bestowed upon them. But
they either mean much or nothing.
If Freemasonry really champions universal brotherhood, it
is the duty of all Freemasons to work unceasingly for that ideal and all that it
implies.
The Great War has brought us at last face to face with a
singular phenomenon in American Masonry.
No set of men on this earth have so gladly and so willingly
rushed to lay down their fortunes and their lives if need be, that the whole
world may henceforth be free--rid of autocratic rule and the divine right of
individuals to say what the rest of mankind shall say, do and think.
In the columns of Masonic news for the past year, since
America has been in this war, we find such little human touches as the first
American killed in action abroad, a Freemason; a Grand Master of Scottish Rite
Masonry giving up his law practice and with his brother going to Paris with the
Y.M.C.A. workers only to have his heart so wrung by the tragedies left on that
land in the bloody path of military autocracy that he and his brother felt they
must get into the trenches where they are now fighting the battle of humanity as
simple privates; a Grand Orator raising a company of soldiers among his brethren
and offering them to his government for the great sacrifice.
I have heard the burning words of brother Masons in khaki,
both officers and privates, when they were bidding good-bye to all they held
dear, in the full expectation of laying down their lives for their brothers
across the seas; have read the solemn, earnest exhortations of French, English
and American Masons serving their country at home and at the front. I know the
exalted spirit of these men of the rank and file. They are laying down their
lives and giving their all for brotherhood. Have they not a right to demand of
us and of our Grand Lodges that we make their dreams come true in fact as well
as in theory ?
What a travesty on Freemasonry that we lay down our lives
for Masonic ideals and yet haggle over petty questions of jurisdiction and
recognition and regularity--matters of opinion separating brothers who have
sworn a brotherhood that disregards opinion and rests upon love and knowledge
alone !
We can be brothers in arms and die for each other. But we
cannot be Masons and live for each other. Separated in life, united in death.
RECOGNIZING FRANCE AGAIN
How the real Spirit of Freemasonry swept aside as chaff all
passion and, prejudice of the past, all puerile legislation and red tape of
criticism, and brought only Masonic love to the front in this great world
crisis, will forever go down in deathless story of Freemasonry in New York,
California, Kentucky, Texas, Utah, Rhode Island, Louisiana, and probably other
states to follow, when posterity writes the history of these times and how those
states made it possible for their soldier Masons to meet their French, Belgian
and Servian brothers upon the Masonic level as well as in the trench. No matter
if dogmatic religion once more climbs into the saddle after the war, the story
of the present can never die.
When Texas recognized France, fully 75 per cent. of the
delegates to that Grand Lodge had sons or grandsons in the Army or Navy of the
United States. The great ideal of brotherhood came home to them as it did to
their forefathers who placed the five points of fellowship star on the Texan
flag and laid down their lives for the freedom of the present generation. Those
men pledged every dollar and every drop of their blood in this war for human
liberty and their worthy successors have done precisely the same thing in a
resolution that will go ringing down the ages with those other great Masonic
documents, the Declaration of Independence and the Social Compact.
When Kentucky recognized France she was decidedly not
carried away in a whirlwind of emotion and sentiment. She appointed an official
committee to gather first-hand data concerning all the Freemasonry in the world
so that she might calmly and deliberately investigate for herself and find
cause, if any exists, why the entire Masonic world cannot recognize itself. It
will possibly take two years to complete these statistics and so arrange them
that they may be intelligently compared and analyzed. In the meanwhile Kentucky
Masons occupy the most enviable position in the American brotherhood, for they
are free to fraternize with their brothers in every country in the world.
Massachusetts, Manitoba, Louisiana, Florida and other
states are seriously debating similar investigations. The spirit of Fraternity
will no longer be denied nor will it longer hearken to the dry, dead voices of
rumor and the gossip of its enemies.
WHY NOT A MASONIC CONGRESS IN AMERICA?
Brethren, America stands on the threshold of a New Age for
this old world and American Freemasonry looks through the portals and finds the
hands and voices and eyes of the new generation to be turned toward us,
imploring our love, our sympathy, our leadership. Shall we be recreant to our
trust?
A single Masonic Congress of American Masonry will mobilize
a mighty army nearly 2,000,000 strong in the United States which can make the
revival of Freemasonry of two hundred years ago seem like an infant's effort in
comparison. We are rightfully leaders of the constructive forces that must be
utilized to rebuild the ravages of war.
Were the 1,851,972 American Freemasons to unite upon any
one plan of action the 944,639 other Masons in the world would gladly join with
us. As shattered Europe looks to America today for its salvation, so do our
brother Masons look for us to lead the way to the work on the new Temple.
We are the greatest Fraternal nation in the world. Here are
the statistics of world Masonry January 1 of this year:
Australia and New Zealand ................69,353
Africa.....................................2,450 Central
America...........................18,893 Canada
..................................114,402 Europe (including colonial)
.............693,869 South America ............................55,672
Total outside U.S....................... 944,639
Almost a million more Masons in this country than in all
the rest of the world! And yet we have only a little more than 4,000 Lodges the
advantage, for in foreign countries where Masonry has to struggle for its very
existence against forces from which we are happily free, it is quality rather
than quantity for which they strive. Therein lies safety.
Because of the recognition by some of the wisest of our
national statesmen that America was built upon Brotherhood and is indeed the
greatest fraternal nation in the world, our fraternal forces are even now being
utilized quietly and effectively to weld our peoples into presenting a united
front in this war that has astounded and mystified our enemies who imagined a
free republic would crumble to bits in a conflict of creeds, politics and races
at such a test as this.
HOW OUR FRATERNAL FORCES ARE BEING MOBILIZED BY UNCLE SAM
Food Commissioner Herbert Hoover was the first to avail
himself of this powerful constructive agency by calling together a congress of
all the national heads of our many fraternal organizations. There were no
national heads or representatives of united American Masonry. Some Grand Masters
of states attended and many individual Masons.
But there were national heads of the two Scottish Rite
jurisdictions, of Knights Templar, of Royal Arch Masons and Cryptic Masonry. And
there were national heads of every other organization from the Woodmen and
Foresters to the Knights of Columbus.
A great Mason was chosen chairman of that Fraternal
Congress, Bro. George Fleming Moore, the Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite of
the Southern Jurisdiction, whose power extends throughout the Pacific and into
China and Japan.
The same Congress has since been called upon by other
departments of our government, notably the Secretary of the Treasury in
connection with the Liberty Bond campaigns and the Secretary of War in the
settlement of questions arising from the first limitations set by him upon War
Recreation work in army cantonments.
PLAN FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION
Considering the foregoing may I briefly outline how easily
American Freemasonry may today meet the expectations of the craft and of the
world by assuming its rightful leadership in the work of reconstruction?
Let there be an immediate conference of all State Grand
Masters, called upon their own authority and volition, to consider uniform
recommendations to their Grand Lodges for the erection of a National Masonic
Council of Defense or any other advisory body or Congress they may see fit to
approve without disturbing the sacred independence of their Grand bodies.
Bro. Schoonover has already drawn a design upon the
trestleboard* worthy of deep consideration, and indeed it has been considered by
the recent Grand Masters' convention in Washington during December. But that
body has no power to act nor would it have power to take any other action now
save to agree among themselves as to what they would suggest to their Grand
Lodges.
Then let them call Emergent Communications of their Grand
Lodges and place before them the facts and recommendations. There would be no
need to await the Annual Communications. There is need for action now and at
once!
If the Grand Lodges should decide upon immediate action,
representatives could at once be elected to the National Advisory Council, or
whatever the Congress might be called should they or a considerable portion of
them approve. Three Masons make a Lodge we are told, and surely even three Grand
Lodges could establish this Council of Co-operation.
Should the Grand Lodges prefer to spend additional time in
inquiry they could send representatives to a National Congress to meet as soon
as all the Grand Lodges had been given a chance to consider the matter, with
power to act. These could then thresh out the details of the National Council.
Or the Grand Lodges that immediately approved could erect
the National Council and the others could talk about it in a Congress until they
were satisfied to enter the Federation.
Once the National Council was ready for business, the four
great National bodies first mentioned, the National Masonic Research Society,
the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association, the War Relief
Association and the Masonic Relief Association, could be called into
co-operation either as integral parts of the Council or as friendly helpers. In
time the world would know that when the National Council spoke it reflected the
united voice of American Freemasonry without in any manner binding any Grand
Lodge to assent longer than that Grand Lodge voluntarily gave its support to the
Council.
In this manner the national activities of American Masonry
would be harmonious and consistent. The Grand Lodges would be relieved of a
financial burden by the consolidation of these activities under one head. And
best of all it would pave the way for a universal adjustment of all
International Masonic relations, by consulting with similar Congresses,
Federations and Councils of other countries and racial groups.
Then indeed would dawn the day prophesied by Tolstoi, Hugo,
Tennyson and others when there will be a "parliament of man and the federation
of the world."
----o----
FREEMASONRY IN FRANCE
BY BRO. GEORGE W. BAIRD, P. G. M., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
There are two "Obediences" in France, and three in Germany.
They are as separate and distinct as is the Grand Lodge of the ' District of
Columbia and the Negro Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, but it is not
easy to make all of our people understand this.
The Grand Orient (1) is the older of the French bodies: The
Grand Lodge of France separated from the Scottish Rite in 1804 but its Lodges
still meet in the same building with the A.A.S.R. and the personnel in the Rites
is almost identical. We have always been on terms of intimacy with the A.A.S.R.
in France and in all South American countries, and with them the Scottish Rite
is often mentioned as "Universal Masonry," though the writer knows of no
friction between the Scottish Rite and Symbolic Masonry in any part of the
world. Symbolic Lodges have separated from the A.A.S.R. in order to conform to
the English and American system for the purpose of securing fraternal
intercourse.
Formerly (and properly) a Mason who could prove himself,
was a welcome visitor in any Lodge in any part of the world, unless the
jurisdiction from whence he came had been interdicted and any change from this
plan is modern and is an innovation.
The writer was made a Mason in a Lodge in Portugal, in
1867, in the French Rite, and in the French language. The obligation was taken
on a Holy Bible of the King James edition, the Bible which was translated out of
the original tongues. This Bible is used by Protestants, Jews and Mohammedans,
and being from the original tongues it is reasonable to believe it has less
errors and less changes than the Douay edition which is translated out of the
Latin vulgate. The personnel of the Lodge that gave us light was made up of
nominal Roman Catholics, about 70 per cent; Jews about 20 per cent and
Protestants about 10 per cent. When asked what our religion was, we replied "The
Constitution of the United States and the Ten Commandments" which seemed to
satisfy the Lodge. They were liberal, tolerant men.
The Lodge books recorded no living man's name, as in all
other priest-ridden countries each man was required to take a sobriquet, or a
nom-de-guerre as they said, for the reason that it was a penal offense to be a
member of the Masonic Fraternity in Portugal and when the priests finally did
discover the Lodge and caused its destruction, there was not the name of a
living man on any record. The members went to and from that Lodge singly or in
pairs, each lighting himself up the long flights of stairs with his wax taper (a
rolino).
It is not generally known that the Mohammedans believe in
and read our Bible. Mohammed himself believed in Jesus Christ and all his
followers do. One of the most bigoted sects of Islam is the "followers of
Jesus," and its see is on the north coast of Africa. The Musselman believes more
in the Koran than in the Bible and it has the advantage or recommendation of
containing no words which would shock the mind of a child. The Koran is in the
Arabic, and there has never been a translation except an English edition, but
neither Arabs, nor Turks nor Egyptians ever read that edition; if they cannot
read Arabic they are dependent on others to read for them.
In English Lodges a Mohammedan is obligated on the Koran
and a Christian on the Holy Bible. The purpose of the obligation is to bind the
postulant and for this reason he is obligated on what he believes to be most
binding. This is recognized generally, but where we know only one book of sacred
literature we are too apt to believe there should be no other. We are taught
that the Holy Bible is the divine revelation of the mind and will of God to man
but others differ with us in that, but if we can impose an obligation that will
bind any and all, our principal purpose will have been accomplished.
Freemasonry has been defined as "a system of morals, veiled
in allegory and illustrated by symbols." It has never been claimed to be a
religion, though the priests call it a "sect." In the Entered Apprentice degree
we are taught that Masonry unites men of every country, sect and opinion and
conciliates true friendship among those who might have remained at a perpetual
distance. This, the French believe, is the acme of tolerance and they take it
literally. We claim no "apostolic succession" nor do we essay to administer
extreme unction, give absolution nor offer any assurance of admission to the
Holy of Holies above, but we do strive to make better men of our members.
We have no idea of the slings and arrows hurled constantly
at Masons, in priest-ridden countries until we have been there. The long years
of peace and harmony we have enjoyed have spoiled us and unfitted us for
sympathy with our stricken brethren abroad. Lodges in Italy and France have been
raided. The Lodge was interrupted by police at Voltaire's funeral. The writer
was once detained at Mentone, on the border between Italy and Monaco, and
witnessed the seizure of a Bible which an English-speaking woman was carrying
into Italy. The guard acting under orders, would not permit it to be carried
into the country, but held the Bible for her until she should pass out of Italy.
There have come to us from abroad many appeals for a more
intimate fraternalism. An invitation to an International Masonic Congress was
sent to more than two hundred "Masonic Powers" about 1901, including the Grand
Lodge, Grand Chapter, etc., of the District of Columbia, and the writer moved in
Grand Lodge that a delegate be sent but there was not even a second to the
motion, so lightly did they regard it.
"Masonic Powers" with European Masons means all Masonic
organizations, as Grand Lodges, Grand Chapters, Grand Commanderies,
Consistories, etc., and these invitations went to all the addresses the Swiss
Masonic Bureau could obtain. It was stated it was a congress, not a conclave; so
that the doors were not tiled nor were the esoteric sections to be discussed as
the writer understood it and as it turned out to be. The proceedings of that
Congress were printed, and to my surprise (and maybe amusement) I found the
following report of what took place at the banquet.
"Dr. Watts, (Washington)--W. President and Brethren: I have
the honor of presenting to this distinguished body of Freemasons in Congress
assembled, greeting from the Most Worshipful Grand Master and Brethren of the
Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, United States of America.
"I have to say that the Grand Master is full of sympathy
with the object of the Congress as outlined in the several explanatory circulars
received from Monsieur Paul-Emile Bonjour, the Grand Secretary.
"Permit me further to say that we are of the opinion that
any movement in keeping with the sublime principles of the Order and that does
not in the least degree conflict with the ancient landmarks, has our approval
and fraternal co-operation.
"Thanking the projectors for their kind invitation to
participate in the deliberations of this present Congress, I beg leave also
personally to express my appreciation for the courteous attention I have
received during the time I have been in the city.
"On behalf of my Grand Lodge we wish the Congress success
and desire that beneficial results may follow its labor-- which shall prove a
blessing to all -- especially the brethren."
Had I not written very soon after this an essay on Negro
Masonry for the International Bulletin (2) the delegates who heard that very
creditable address would have supposed that the Grand Lodge of the District of
Columbia had sent that negro delegate.
The speech of Dr. Watts was in English but the others were
in French. The writer made a full report on the above, which was printed in the
1902 report of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia and may be found on
page 339 et seq.
And now we come to the Grand Lodge of France! Why should we
not at once accord it recognition? It may be asked what French Masons have done
to merit this. Their Masonry was received from England and the writer believes
the French are now working more in accord with the first constitution of the
Grand Lodge of England (Anderson's) than are many American Lodges, which should
be sufficient.
Owing to the espionage of the "Holy Fathers" the French
history of Masonry has been greatly abridged and often suppressed, so that we
have not the volumes to draw on that we would wish but there are enough for this
purpose.
During the War for American Independence, called "The
Revolution," there existed in Paris a Lodge "Les Neuf Soeurs" of which the
American Commissioner, Benjamin Franklin, John Paul Jones, the peerless Naval
Captain, Houdon, the unmatched sculptor, Voltaire, the fearless, the great
Helvidius and many other eminent men were members. At that time there were
atrocious oppressions of the people not only by the rich and influential, but by
the priests.
In the Lodge Neuf Soeurs there was Elie Dumont, a young
lawyer, with a score of followers who took up the people's cause against
oppression. For a verification we beg leave to invite reference to Les Memoires
Secretes, Vol. XXI, and to Ed. Tachereau, Vol. XXI, and Besuchet Precis
Historique, Vol. II.
One example is that of Jean Calas, a Hugenot who had been
sentenced to punishment "on the wheel" by the tribunal of Toulouse, and he was
thus executed. His offense was that he had assaulted his son who had been
perverted to Romanism. His widow and his children were despoiled of their
property and belongings by confiscation and they finally took refuge in Geneva
and were sheltered by Voltaire. Their cause was espoused by Voltaire who
advocated it by printed memorials, which he widely distributed. Elie Dumont
defended the Calas family in the French Courts without fee or reward and after
three years of labor, succeeded in having the judgment arrested and the widow's
property returned to her.
In the same tribunal in 1746, a man and his wife named
Siren, were condemned to death for an assault on their son who had been
perverted to Romanism and who had forbidden the son from continuing his
acquaintance with the men who had proselyted him. The rest of the family took
refuge in Geneva and their case was appealed by Elie Dumont, who, after five
years succeeded in having the judgment reversed, so far as the confiscation
went, and the family of Siren was permitted to return to France and take
possession of their property. We could multiply these examples indefinitely if
it were needed, but it is not.
That Masonic Lodge became the target for Romish persecution
and accusation. It was charged with atheism. Masonry was branded as a society of
atheists in general but Voltaire was the central figure of their atrocious
attack. Dumont and his followers persisted in the defense of the inherent rights
of the people and lighted a fire of indignation, which kindled in the people a
consciousness of their inherent rights and was closely interwoven in the French
Revolution which followed and which history has so vividly recorded. Voltaire
was obliged to leave Paris to escape assassination. He took up his home in
Ferney, near Geneva in Switzerland, where he was held in high esteem. Napoleon
I, who was a Mason, had held the Pope of Rome a prisoner and this added to the
anger of the priests who believed and still believe that the Pope is the "Father
of Princes, the ruler of the Christian world and the Vicar of Jesus Christ" and
that there can be no proper government without his sanction.
If a man goes on the street and cries "mad dog, mad dog,"
he will jeopardize the life of every dog in sight, though there may be no mad
dog at all. And if a mob, believing a priest carries the keys of Heaven and Hell
in his girdle, hears his cries and accusations, they will give respectful and
obedient attention to his utterances without further consideration. This is
practically the condition which existed in Paris when the priests began to
denounce Freemasonry in general, and Voltaire in particular. As they made
Voltaire the central figure of attack it may be proper to examine his case. Take
the twenty-four volumes of Voltaire which have been printed in English and there
cannot be found in them a word to justify the accusation that he was atheistic.
He was without doubt, a Deist. In the little town of Ferney a chapel was built
by Voltaire for his neighbors to worship in. A marble tablet over the door has
engraved on it these words:
DEO EREXIT VOLTAIRE. MDCCLVIII
which is, "Erected to God, by Voltaire, 1758." When asked
why he dedicated his chapel to God he replied: "In London they erected their
Temple to Saint Paul, in Paris to Saint Genevieve, but I erect mine to God."
When dying he said "I die worshipping God, loving my
friends, not hating my enemies, but despising superstition." (Vide Appleton's
New American Cyclopedia.) His accusers were the priests and the same frocked
fraternity is still accusing Masonry.
The Anti-Masonic Congress which was convened at Trent in
1896, was attended by more than 200 Bishops of the Romish Church and many times
that number of priests and zealous laymen. That Congress was
"Called together with the concurrence and favor of Pope Leo
XIII who in a special brief, bestowed his benediction and approval on its aims
and purposes. Twenty-two influential Cardinals, over two hundred Bishops, the
most important clerical associations, the whole of the clerical press, sent
their adhesions to this Tridentine Council. Over five hundred ecclesiastics from
the highest to the lowest were present and all European States, England, France,
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the United States of
America, the South American Republics were more or less numerously and
influentially represented."
"General and particular aim: To wage war on Masonry as an
institution; on Masons as individuals; in all countries and places where the
order exists; to wage war on Masonry as a body by collecting supposed documents
and facts; assertions of perjured Masons as evidence and thus bring to light, or
rather coin, by means of the press or special publications all the misdeeds of
the fatal institution; all the demoralizing influences it exercises; through
obscene or sacrilegious rites, corruption and occult conspiracies on man and
civilization; to wage war on individual Masons by opposing them in every phase
of their existence, in their individual homes, in their industries, in their
commerce, in their professional avocations, in all their endeavors to
participate in public life, local or general, etc."
A French reporter, Mr. Leo Taxil, had been employed to
ferret out and report on the vagaries of Masonry, and in his report he gave them
an account of a smithery in a cave under the Rock of Gibraltar where iron tools
were fashioned for use in devil worship.
The speeches of the "Holy Fathers" on that occasion were
drastic, atrocious and anything but Christian-like. This Congress was as late as
1896, and must still be fresh in the memories of Masonic students. And from it,
we draw the lesson that the purpose of those people has not changed with time.
So it is but fair to ask shall we accept the testimony of these prejudiced,
fanatical sorcerers against the French Freemasons ?
The Grand Orient of France by giving countenance to a
spurious body of Scottish Rite Masons in Louisiana, in 1858, caused
English-speaking Masons, generally to suspend relations with that Orient, one
after another until such time as the Orient should revoke its sanction of that
spurious body. (Vide Report of Grand Lodge of D. C. for 1870, pages 6 and 7.) It
was not an interdiction, but a tentative suspension of relations which the
Orient was at liberty to automatically heal by the revocation of its sanction of
that spurious A.A.S.R. body of New Orleans.
That spurious body has long since gone out of existence but
the Grand Orient has never made any overtures to the Grand Lodge of District of
Columbia nor any other American Grand Lodge so far as the writer has been able
to discover.
But in 1878, the Report of the Grand Lodge of District of
Columbia (p. 20) says:
"The action of the Grand Orient of France in expunging from
its constitution the necessity for a firm belief in Deity and the immortality of
the soul was called up as unfinished business and on motion, it was ordered that
the resolutions accompanying the report be considered separately.
"Resolved, That the action of the Grand Orient of France in
ignoring the foundation principles of Masonry--that of a firm belief in God and
in the immortality of the soul--meets with unqualified disapproval of this Grand
Lodge."
This is the last entry we can find in our reports of the
Grand Orient.
Now (as the priests say) "let us consider this beautiful
mystery." It is certainly not an interdiction. There is no intimation of
clandestinism, nor of irregularity nor threat of permanent breaking off of
relations.
We Protestants disapprove of their failure to exact a firm
belief in the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, more I think
because we are Christians than for any other reason. We believe even more we
teach the "resurrection of the body through faith in the merits of the Lion of
the Tribe of Judah," though the Jews among us cannot agree with that, but it is
there, and it cannot be found in the Anderson Constitutions, under which the
Grand Lodge of France is working today. We are perhaps unconsciously, gradually
blending our Christian faith with Freemasonry, while we believe or teach that
the latter unites men of every Nation, sect and opinion and concilates
friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual
distance.
The writer happens to know that there is a Lodge in
Swansea, Wales, under the obedience of the Grand Orient of France which has the
Bible on its altar on which it obligates. The Deputy Grand Master of the Grand
Orient assured us that they dedicate their Lodges to the Great Architect of the
Universe, and that they permit the sacred writings to be kept on the altar of
any and every Lodge that wants it. And this they regard as becoming tolerance.
The Grand Lodge of France, however, has never offended us
in any way. It has not been even charged of having committed the infractions
which have strained our relations with the Grand Orient.
The Grand Lodge of France is a separate, distinct and
sovereign body recognized as such by the Supreme Grand Council from which it was
separated. It is in fraternal amity with many sovereign Grand Lodges and has
never, until now, asked formal recognition of any American Grand Lodge. At the
beginning of this European war the Grand Lodge of France started a line of
auto-ambulances, opened soup-houses and lunch rooms, and equipped a hospital for
the use of wounded soldiers and for the aid of the indigent and needy of all
nations without regard to "race, creed, or previous condition of servitude."
We are now sending about 30,000 soldiers a month to Europe,
most of whom go to France; among these are many Masons. They naturally want to
visit and as our relations are strained with the Orient we should make it
possible for them to visit the Lodges of the Grand Lodge of France.
Personally we have advised our soldier-Masons of the
District of Columbia that they are at liberty to visit the Lodges of the Grand
Lodge of France, but as relations are strained with the Grand Orient we have
advised that its Lodges be not, at present, visited.
(1) Orient means East.
(2) Printed in three languages.
----o----
A DEFENSE OF THE STORY OF OLD GLORY
BY BRO. JOHN W. BARRY, GRAND MASTER, IOWA
Editor Builder: Your favor enclosing a letter from a
California subscriber received. His letter calls attention to the Flag number
(October) of the Geographic Magazine, wherein it contradicts sharply in some
particulars my story of "Old Glory" so handsomely published in THE BUILDER a
short time ago. He wants to know which is right.
His question is proper, for the obligation of THE BUILDER
to its subscribers in such matters is unquestioned and as the author of the
Story of "Old Glory," it is squarely up to me to answer. Not to answer would be
untrue to the purpose of an organization calling itself a "research society."
JOHN W. BARRY, Grand Master.
The Flag number of the Geographic Magazine is so
praiseworthy in many particulars that an adverse criticism is made only in
self-defense and in vindication of the established facts of history and will be
limited to the principal discrepancies.
"UNION FLAG" RAISED JAN. 1, 1776--NOT ON JAN. 2
The Geographic Magazine (page 289) says, "Washington raised
the Grand Union Flag Jan. 2,1776, the day the Continental Army began its
official existence," whereas THE BUILDER says the date was Jan. 1, 1776. Which
is right? The final authority is the "Orderly Book" of George Washington in his
own hand-writing. It reads as follows:
"Head Quarters January 1, 1776. Parole--The Congress.
Countersign--America.
This day, giving commencement to the new Army, which in
every point of view is entirely Continental" (1) etc., etc. This proves
conclusively that THE BUILDER is right and the Geographic wrong.
THE FLAG OF LOYAL INDIA
On Jan. 4, 1776, Washington in writing to Joseph Reed, his
secretary, then at Philadelphia, among other things says: "We gave great joy to
them (the Red Coats, I mean) without knowing it or intending it, for on that
day, the day which gave being to our new Army, but before the proclamation had
come to hand we had hoisted the Union Flag in compliment to the United Colonies.
But behold, it was received in Boston as token of the deep impression the speech
had made on us. And as a signal of submission. So we learn by a person out of
Boston last night. By this time I presume they think it strange that we have not
made formal surrender of our lines (2)."
There is no clue in Washington's statement giving the
remotest idea as to what this "Union Flag" really was. Commenting on this,
Benson J. Lossing, an eminent American Historian, says (3):
"Why the hoisting of the Union Flag in compliment to the
colonies should have been received by the British as 'signal of submission,' was
a question historians could not answer until 1855, when the writer of this work
discovered among the papers of General Philip Schuyler a drawing of the Royal
Savage with the Union Flag at its mast-head."
This drawing in colors of the flag on the Royal Savage,
together with the contemporaneous writing of Gen. Schuyler and others, showed
definitely that the "Union Flag" raised by Washington was the flag of the
English East India Company shown by the Geographic Magazine as No. 364.
It was the flag of loyal India--a flag which had been well
known for 69 years. So the "red coats" took it as "a token of submission" when
Washington hoisted an English flag so long and well known to them.
NO SUCH THING AS COLONIAL STANDARD
THE BUILDER carries the idea that this "Union Flag" was
promptly abandoned because it was an English flag. The Geographic says (page
288): "This was the flag (364) which afterward figured so extensively in the
literature of the day as the Congress Colors, from the fact that it first
floated over the Navy controlled by Congress. Also known as the Grand Union Flag
and the First Navy Ensign, it was the Colonial standard from that day until it
was superseded by the Stars and Stripes, in 1777."
Which is right?
The Geographic Magazine does not quote its authority except
to say, "How long the Grand Union Flag was in use has never been definitely
established; but official records of the navy fail to show that any other ensign
was used until after the Star Spangled Banner's adoption by Congress," (page
295).
Simply from the fact that the "official records of the
navy" fail to show that any other ensign was in use, the Geographic Magazine
discards all other evidence and states that no other flag was in use. To offset
the testimony of Trumbull and of Peale, both eye witnesses, with reputations for
fidelity to fact, positive evidence of a decided character should be introduced.
There is many a fact of history which does not appear on the official records.
Avery says (4): "After the Declaration of Independence the
British Union was removed from the colors of the new nation." This from a
recognized authority sustains the statement of THE BUILDER. It is very much to
be regretted that the Geographic Magazine gives practically no references but so
far as I can find, there is no authority of any kind to sustain the claim "that
the Grand Union Flag was the Colonial Standard from that day until it was
superseded by the Stars and Stripes in 1777." Indeed a British flag as the
"Colonial Standard" after the Declaration of Independence would be repugnant to
every sense of propriety. At a time when the people were destroying the statue
and pictures of the king--in fact bent on the destruction of everything
suggesting British rule, it would certainly be a manifest absurdity to have used
a well known British flag as the standard of the new nation for a year and a
half.
The historic fact seems to be that there was no such flag
as "a Colonial Standard"--that a variety of flags came into use following the
Declaration of Independence, including the stars and stripes. So that on June
14, 1777, when Congress adopted the stars and stripes, that emblem was actually
before Congress and so well known that there was no discussion and the
newspapers made no reference to the event. Indeed it was not published until
Sept. 2, 1777, when Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet, a weekly newspaper, published
the flag resolution and then without comment. On this point THE BUILDER is
sustained by a great mass of evidence.
The Geographic Magazine goes on thus:
"Whatever their origin, there is no persuasive evidence in
the official records of the time which would lead to the conclusion that the
Stars and Stripes were in use before the resolution of June 14, 1777. It is
true, however, that the paintings of Trumbull and Peale do point to its earlier
use. But, as to the flags appearing in their paintings, it should be recalled
that an anachronism could be readily excused in the case of Trumbull, because he
had left the colonies while Washington was before Boston and was abroad for
seven years. Peale's picture of Washington crossing the Delaware, with respect
to colors carried, is believed to be a case of 'artist's license.' "
This statement contains many errors. There are many
authorities on John Trumbull for he was a most active patriot in many ways. But
probably the most generally available is the Britannica (5). It shows that John
Trumbull took military training as part of his college course, joined the forces
at Boston as adjutant of the 1st Connecticut; became one of Washington's aids.
In 1776 became Gates' adjutant general and resigned from the service in
FEBRUARY, 1777. But in 1778 he joined Sullivan as a volunteer in the Rock Island
campaign and did not go to Europe until 1780 or 1781; that later Congress
employed him for $32,000 to paint the four pictures now in the rotunda of the
capitol at Washington. The resolution provided that he should paint the events
he had witnessed. So Trumbull, having been an active participant, is a competent
witness. His reputation as a painter was everywhere recognized and rests on his
FIDELITY to historic FACTS. Speaking of his painting, "Washington at Princeton,"
Trumbull says (6): "Every minute article of dress, down to the buttons and
spurs, were carefully painted from the different objects." Princeton was fought
Jan. 3, 1777, six months before Congress adopted the stars and stripes so there
was no more reason for showing Old Glory there than there was for showing it in
his painting of the battle of Bunker Hill except the one all-important fact to
Trumbull, namely, that Old Glory was NOT at Bunker Hill and WAS at Princeton
Jan. 3, 1777.
Trumbull's reputation for fidelity to fact, his own
statement that his painting is true to fact, and the further fact that he was an
eye witness and competent to testify, repudiates the supposition that he has
permitted an anachronism in his painting.
ERROR IN ASSIGNING LEUTZE'S PICTURE TO PEALE
As to Charles Wilson Peale, the Geographic Magazine falls
into another serious error. "Washington Crossing the Delaware" was not painted
by Peale but by Emanuel Leutze who was not born until 1816 and therefore not a
competent witness to events before his time. However, his picture is true to
historic fact in that it does show the stars and stripes.
The Peale picture is a very different work and was bought
by Congress because of its HISTORIC accuracy. It is a full length portrait of
Washington at Trenton. It now hangs at the head of the Grand Staircase of the
Senate wing of the Capitol at Washington, D.C. At Washington's feet are captured
flags and other trophies while to the right Old Glory waves in triumph. It was
painted in 1779 by Charles Wilson Peale who commanded a company at the battle of
Trenton and he was therefore a competent witness.
Some years ago, his son Titian R. Peale wrote a letter
quoted by both Preble and Canby. Among other things he said: "The trophies at
Washington's feet I know he painted from the flags then captured, which were
left with him for that purpose. He was always very particular in matters of
historic record in his pictures; the service sword in that is an instance and
probably caused its acceptance by Congress."
He tells us that his father commanded a company at the
battles of Germantown, Trenton, Princeton and Monmouth and then says: "I am sure
represented the flag then in use--not a regimental flag but one to mark the new
republic." Is there anything here that sounds like "artist's license"?
If this indeed be "anachronism" for Trumbull and "artist's
license" for Peale, isn't it strange that each unknown to the other should
record in living colors the stars and stripes in use at Trenton and Princeton in
1776-7? The Geographic Magazine to say the least is a little inconsistent to
mention "the carving on Selden's powder horn" as authority (See page 292) and
reject Trumbull and Peale.
THE MAKER OF THE FIRST STARS AND STRIPES While the
Geographic Magazine makes no suggestion as to who did make the first "Old
Glory," yet it denies that honor to the only one that ever claimed it, but
admits that in 1777 she was engaged in the making of flags. "The well known
story of Betsy Ross, so called maker of the Stars and Stripes, is one of the
picturesque legends which has grown up around the origin of the flag, but it is
one to which few unsentimental historians subscribe. There was, however, a Mrs.
Ross, who was a flag-maker by trade, living in Philadelphia at the time of the
flag's adoption." (See page 297.)
Yes, Mrs. Elizabeth Ross, popularly known as Betsy Ross,
made flags from 1776 to 1827.
BETSY'S STORY IN BRIEF
Washington, accompanied by Robert Morris and George Ross,
uncle of her late husband, called on her "shortly before the Declaration of
Independence." Washington showed her the design of a flag he wanted made. She
took the job and the flag was so satisfactory that Robert Morris, chairman of
the "secret committee" on the conduct of the war, and George Ross, signer of the
Declaration of Independence and uncle of her late husband, ordered her to make
all the flags she could and that they would pay for the bunting themselves.
Betsy continued the making of flags thus begun until 1827, assisted much of the
time by her four daughters and other members of the family. In 1827 the oldest
daughter, Clarissa Sidney, took over the business and continued it until 1857.
Numerous participants have made affidavits duly attested establishing the Betsy
Ross story. These affidavits, complete and convincing, are published in "The
Evolution of The American Flag (7)." These affidavits, together with other
corroborating evidence, place the Betsy Ross incident on an assured historic
foundation.
FRANCIS HOPKINSON CLAIMS TO DESIGN NOT MAKE
The Geographic Magazine offers no disproof of the Betsy
Ross story except to refer to Francis Hopkinson as "a more authentic designer of
the flag" and quotes in full a bill he filed for such service and for devices
for the currency, etc. True, but Hopkinson nowhere claims to have MADE the
flag--only helped design it, and it was in 1776 he was in Congress. He was
familiar with heraldry and it may be that he gave Washington the design having
the six-pointed stars, for in heraldry a five-point was not considered a star
but a mallet or spur. But when Betsy suggested a five-point star because she
could make it with one clip of her scissors, Washington, who never claimed to
know anything of heraldry, at once made the change. We see the effect still in
our coinage for the stars around the head of the goddess of liberty are
six-pointed while on the other side where the stars represent states, they are
five-pointed. Look at a half dollar for yourself.
So this Francis Hopkinson incident tends to confirm and not
disprove the Betsy Ross story for she claims only to have MADE the first stars
and stripes flag, giving Washington credit for the design.
MONEY PAID BETSY FOR MAKING FLAGS Practically all flags
during the Revolution were supplied by the states or by individuals. So in
contrast to Hopkinson's unrecognized bill as designer, here is one of actual
money "paid to Betsy Ross as maker of flags:
"State Navy Board, May 29, 1777 (8). Present William
Bradford, Joseph Marsh Joseph Blewer, Paul Cox-- An order on William Webb to
Elizabeth Ross, for fourteen pounds twelve shillings, two pence for making
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