Freemasonry In France.

1 st . Of the Grand Master , elected every seven years by the Legislative Assembly . 2 nd . Of the Council of the Grand Master , composed of twenty-one members , appointed for three years by the legislature , renewable by threes . 3 rd . Of the Legislative Assembly , composed of the presidents of all lodges or special delegates

appointed by lodges . The Grand Master is constantly re-eligible . It is the same of the members of his council . The Legislative Assembly meets every year , on Whit Monday its session usually lasts six days . The powers of the Grand Master expiring this

year , the Assembly proceeded to his re-election ; the decree of convocation ordering it having reached the lodges . The discontent with the administration , which peared to have had few cares for the dignity and consideration of the Orderand which had

in-, vested it with a character of usury unworthy of an institution of moral order , aud the experience of the preceding session , showing that all reform was impossible under the direction of the actual Grand Master and his particular representative , several worshipfuls using their electoral rights ,

proposed a new candidate . This candidate , was pointed out to them by the time , by convenience , hy the necessity of the situation , by Masonic principles , and by the traditions of the Order , which has always chosen its Grand Master as near as possible to the person of the chief of the State—in the person of Prince Napoleon ( Jerome ) .

J . 'his attempt , so simple , was represented under the most odious colours in the official part of the Bulletin of the Grand Orient . It denounced it to the lodges as " a treacherous plot by several Masons desirous of making Masonry give satisfaction to their political passions . " Tbe official interpreter of the Grand Master assumed that the candidature of Prince

Napoleon was ignored by the latter ; was not serious , and that it had been imagined to cover plots under which to hide—perhaps insults to the governors—intentions entirely hostile to Masomy . It is true that it was always declared , in the name of the Grand Master , that Prince Murat " was ready not only to retirebut

, also to give all his aid to Prince Napoleon , if it was true that the latter was a candidate for the Grand Mastership . " And it was further added , that the Grand Master " did not intend to oppose the free manifestation of the sentiments of Masonry ; and that he valued the importance of having a Mason—more

capable than himself by his knowledge , by his devotion , by his socialposition , of serving Masonry" —to receive the noble task of guiding the institution , & e . l He . uttered these excellent sentiments ; Avhy did he not continue in them ? Why , after liaving promised , formally to retire before the candidature of Prince

Napoleon , if it was serious , did he not do so when this candidature had been officially declared and guaranteed hy the written acceptance of the candidate ? Is it nothing then , to lay aside one ' s word of honour given voluntarily ? Ought we not to lament that such an example , coming from one so high , has been given to the profane world ? Abo at the same time as this declaration , two

decrees appeared , which struck with suspension all at once a newspaper , a Worshipful , and a lodge . The newspaper was called The Initiation ; the Worshipful , "Riche-Gardon ; " the Lodge , " The Temple of Eamilies . " The newspaper had published an account of the candidature of Prince Napoleon ; this was its crime . As for the Worshiiulhe had written the

p , article published in that paper ; therefore he had committed the same crime . But the lodge , what had that done ? It had taken part neither in compiling or in publishing the article ; it had not busied itself about anything which had reference to the Grand Master or his election . It was suspended , if we may believe the

reasons of the decree , because the brothers who composed it had " expressed sympathy with the article of the paper VInitiation , and since , the direction given to the work of this lodge had been formerly the object of different complaints" 2 . We return to the consideration of those decrees , which nothing can justify . People who read the article in the suspended journal will perceive that the author of it has restrained himself within the limits of a

courteous discussion , and has not forgotten for a single moment the respect due to the head of the Order . Under any circumstances , was it just to render the lodge responsible for the acts of its Worshipful , since the latter had done it as a publisher , and Avithout the aid of the members of his lodge ? And how could they justifby previous complaints a

suspeny sion which had for its immediate effect the hindering of the lodge of Bro . Riche-Gardon from being represented , in the Legislative Assembly ? These arbitrary acts of power were well followed by a decree suspending from their Masonic rights eleven worshipfuls or delegates , ivho were thus

deprived of the right of representing their lodges , just at the moment when they were going to open the session of the assembly . We ask our brethren to read the decree and the information preceding it . They will then see how the Grand Master and his representative understand the duties and rights of Masonry . They will find in it , among malevolent

and injurious insinuations , a painful number of accusations without proof , and above all the most singular employment that one could make of the moral support of the brethren . Eorgetting that the faults are those of individuals , they hold lodges responsible for pretended crimes of which the greater part have remained lete strangersimputing to

comp , a bod } 1 " of which it ignores the existence , the publication of writings with or without signatures , but having altogether an individual character which cannot compromise their author . It is true , moreover , that the decree was general . The Grand Master affirms boldl"that each of them

y appeared capable of manoeuvres destined to violate the sincerity of the election of the Grand Master . " There are other motives for certain amongst them ; thus , amongst the suspended deputies , this is what the document says , " since they are known for their attitude of continued opposition during the preceding

assemhlies or by their sympathy with the suspended paper . " This is summary justice , if ever there was any . Assertions purely gratuitous and very frivolous pretexts are put forth to justify such measures !