The Builder Magazine

April 1918 - Volume IV - 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 Ships Colours & c, put into William Richards' Store. 14-S12-D2."

 

Here is about $70 paid for the labor of making flags. Even today the slowness of such matters in getting by the red tape to the pay stage would suggest that at least some of the money was earned well back in 1776. Further, as Pennsylvania did not adopt a state flag until Oct. 9, 1799, it is not unreasonable to conclude in view of other known facts, that "Ships Colours" means the stars and stripes.

 

WASHINGTON IN PHILADELPHIA, MAY 22 TO JUNE 5, 1776 (9) Betsy Ross and her daughters were not of a literary turn of mind but were devout Quakers devoted to the arts of the needle. Their recollection of the date of the visit of Washington, Morris and Ross is given only approximately as "a short time before the Declaration of Independence." It is therefore necessary to show that Washington was in Philadelphia at that time, which is established by letters he wrote from there at the time and by a number of entries in the Journal of Congress.

 

The Journal of Congress for May 16, 1776, contains a resolution instructing its president, John Hancock, to request Washington to come to Philadelphia to consult regarding "the ensuing campaign," and the manuscript of the Hancock letter to Washington is now in the Library of Congress. In response Washington accompanied by his wife arrived May 22 and remained until June 5, 1776, but was not again in Philadelphia until Aug. 2, 1777.

 

On May 31, he wrote to his brother saying that the attitude of England had become such that there remained but one choice-- Independence (10). On May 28 he wrote in detail to Major General Putnam at New York. Among the other things he urged that he "Speak to the several Colonels and hurry them to get their colors done"." So the records not only prove that Washington was in Philadelphia at the time indicated by Betsy Ross but in addition that he was mindful of the need of flags, particularly as he recognized that the only course was "independence."

 

THE FLAG HOUSE In 1898 an association was formed to buy the Betsy Ross flag house and maintain it as a shrine of liberty free to all the people. The charter members number many to whom even "unsentimental historians" would bow in deference in matters historic.

 

STARS AND STRIPES USED FREELY DURING REVOLUTION

 

The Geographic Magazine says that the "stars and stripes was not carried in the field by the land forces during the Revolution." It is true bunting was scarce and flags few and usually individual meaning not supplied by the Congress. While company "colors" were carried yet the headquarters of all land forces, all forts and ships did show "Old Glory." Further the Geographic Magazine contradicts itself by showing the stars and stripes carried by the 3d Maryland regiment. See flag 411, page 339 and described on page 352. It is the same flag shown by THE BUILDER as 32. It is one of the few if not the only flag of the Revolution still preserved. It is carefully guarded in the State House at Annapolis and bears on the case the legend "No. 1 Old Glory (12)." What the Maryland regiment did, it is more than probable other regiments did also. Thus THE BUILDER is sustained and the Geographic Magazine refuted even out of its-own pages.

 

Another proof is the Bennington flag No. 395, page 339 and described on 348. This flag is not only the stars and stripes but the stars are arranged around the year 1776, probably the date the flag was put in service.

 

THE GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE OVERLOOKS THE FLAG OF 1818

 

Finally the Geographic Magazine omits the flag adopted April 4 and approved by the President April 13, 1818, and substitutes another, thus again erroneously contradicting THE BUILDER and perverting history. No. 8 in the Geographic Magazine is given as the flag before Congress in 1818, whereas No. 22 in THE BUILDER was the flag adopted and the ONLY one before Congress at the time.

 

After pages of discussion which seemed to get farther and farther from agreement, Congress referred the whole flag problem to Samuel Chester Reid (13), commander of the Armstrong. He solved it by returning to the original 13 stripes and adding a Star for each additional state. Mrs. Reid made the sample flag and it was presented with her husband's report to Congress and was adopted without change, April 4, 1818, and in compliment to Mrs. Reid, its maker, the new flag was raised over the Capitol April 13, though the law did not go into effect until July 4, 1818. The Mrs. Reid flag then adopted had its 20 stars arranged in the form of one large star (14) and this form of Old Glory was the ONLY one known to the interior of the country for many years. Preble says: "This form was used for many years by the Military Department whereas the Navy Department adhered to parallel lines." True, Congress made no requirement as to the arrangement of stars because it adopted a specific flag then on exhibition before them. It was a parallel to the action of Congress on June 14, 1777, in adopting a flag then before them and well known. Congress never specified the arrangement of the stars or stripes. So there came to be used so many forms and proportions that there were 66 variations in use by the various government departments. This led President Taft in 1912 to issue an order covering the whole subject (15). It is assumed that page 312 of the Geographic Magazine is in harmony therewith.

 

Of this form of the flag so unfortunately omitted by the Geographic Magazine, the historian James Schouler says (16):

 

"The new flag of the United States, hoisted April 13, 1818, fol the first time over the chamber of assembled representatives at Washington, WITH ITS TWENTY STARS SO DISPOSED AS TO FORM ONE GREAT STAR in the center of the azure field while the long red and white stripes danced in the breeze, spoke a parable. That spangled host, soon to be increased in number, spoke of a Union to be progressive and perpetual, while the thirteen stripes recalled the founders whose memory must ever be cherished."

 

As stated at the outset these errors are not pointed out in any spirit of captious criticism. Indeed, they are sincerely regretted and it is earnestly hoped the Geographic Magazine will correct them in an early issue.

 

(EDITOR'S NOTE: "The Story of 'Old Glory'--The Oldest Flag," by Brother John W. Barry, the present Grand Master of Iowa, was first published in Volume II of THE BUILDER, in 1916. This article has been reprinted in pamphlet form in two styles of binding, red buffing at $1.00 and paper at 35c per copy. A frontispiece in colors showing the evolution of the American Flag accompanies each pamphlet.)

 

(1) Vide American Archives, 4th Series, vol. IV, p. 568, also Avery, vol. V, p. 307.

(2) Vide American Archives, 4th Series, vol. IV, p. 750.

(3) Vide Cyclopedia American History, vol. II, p. 1432.

(4) Vide Avery, vol. VI, p. 68.

(5) Vide Encyclopedia Britannica, 9th Ed., vol. XXIII, p. 944.

(6) Vide Washington Irving's Washington, vol. IV, p. 327.

(7) Vide Evolution of the American Flag, Appendix C.

(8) Vide Pennsylvania Archives, 2d Series, vol. I, p. 164.

(9) Vide Journal of Congress for May 16, 24, 25th.

(10) Vide Ford's Writings of Washington, vol. IV, p. 105.

(11) Vide American Archives, vol. VI, p. 637.

(12) Vide Battle Flags, Clinton L. Riggs, p. 5.

(13) Vide Preble, p. 339 Vide American Encyclopedia, vol. VII, p. 251.

(14) Vide also Britannica, vol. XX, p. 905. Vide 14 Niles Register for 1818.

(15) Vide Executive Order, vol. 1637, Oct. 29, 1912, Taft.

(16) Vide History of U. S., James Schouler, vol. III, p. 106.

 

----o----

 

The real history of mankind is that of the slow advance of resolved

deed following laboriously just thought.

--Ruskin.