Posted by Boaz on Sep 30 2006 8:22AM - Note: From the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alabama
1876 Page 23 & 24 photo copy is available at
http://alabamagrandlodgefacts.blogspot.com

The Grand Lodge of Alabama DOES NOT RECOGNIZE Prince Hall Masons
(African-Americans) and any Lodge under current Grand Lodge Edict or
Law would be in violation if they have African-American members
according to official Grand Lodge Resolution."As to Negro Masons"

"Whereas, the question of the recognition of Negro Masons has been
made more than usually prominent during the last year; and whereas
this Grand Lodge has a well-settled opinion upon this subject, which
she desires most respectfully and fraternally to express to her
sister Grand Lodges everywhere, and especially to those of the United
States; she deems the present a fit opportunity to set forth the
reasons which impel her to that opinion.

1. It is indisputable that whatever theory we adopt as to the origin
of Masonry- whether that which carries it back to the original Father
of mankind, and his immediate descendents;, or to Enoch and Noah; or
to the building of King Solomon's Temple; or arising from the
constitutions of Pythagoras; or if we trace it back to the Eleusinain
Mysteries; or to those of Ceres, and the institution of the
Bacchanalia; or, what is most probable of all, the incorporation of
the Roman builders under Numa Pompilius that theory carries us back
to the Caucasian Race.

2. Masonry was originally, what it is mainly today, a social
institution; intended for those who daily mingled in the ordinary
walks of life, in business, in pleasure, and in the family circle;
into which it is not credible that anyone of the Negro or any other
of the inferior races, could have been admitted.

3. That Negroes have of late years been admitted into Lodges of Free
Masons is due, it is believed, to the sympathy which has been excited
for them by anti-slavery societies generally, and particularly by
those of the United States; and that any were admitted during the
revolutionary war by traveling Lodges belonging to the British Army,
was due to the feeling which existed at that time against American
patriots; a proceeding entirely at variance with the object of the
formation of such Lodges, they having no right to confer the degrees
upon any citizen or resident of the county in which they might be
sojourning, but only upon members of the army to which such Lodges
belonged.

4. Although it is usually said that Masonry is universal, and that in
every clime Masons are to be found; yet it is only universal in so
far as the Caucasian Race has carried it into every quarter of the
globe; and if that race has sometimes admitted Negroes, and others of
the inferior races, it has done so in violation of the original and
fundamental laws of the Fraternity.

5. In view, therefore, of these facts, indisputable as they are
conceived to be, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of
Alabama seizes the present as a fit and proper occasion, to declare
its purpose, under no circumstances whatever acknowledge the legality
of Negro-masons, such acknowledgement being foreign to the original
purpose of the Fraternity, and introducing an element of
demoralization into the society."

Resolution passed in 1876 and reaffirmed in 1970.

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Posted by Mary on Sep 30 2006 2:36PM - Why do white political candidates have to justify belonging to all white organizations. We do not ask that black candidates justify their affiliation with all black organizations or even with organizations which are considered by some to be somewhat radical? Seems like a double standard to me.

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Posted by Bamylon on Oct 2 2006 3:44AM - Realize career politicians and masonic order dictates law on a local level not just the federal level.

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Posted by Rao on Oct 16 2006 10:12AM - Can anyone tell me what Prince Hall Masonic Lodge is?? Probably not, so please let me do the honors. They are masons but they are mostly african-american(just as the GL is mostly white). My father is a GM in the GL of Alabama. Never have I seen racism from any of his friends or their families. We have been out to dinner and I have seen him recognize both white and black masons, and every color in between too. Our governor should not have to defend himself. Do we also get to pick his country club?? In case you guys don't know there are also programs for women, boys and girls also.(Eastern Star, DeMoley, Rainbow, Job's Daughters) No one is excluded from seeking a more fulfilled life. *

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Posted by Maurice on Oct 25 2006 2:07AM - The issues in this story have deep Washington, D.C. roots and suggests how Alabama and other deep south states might respond positively to the dilemma of segregated organizations that benefit from local and federal tax laws or reflect unfavorablly on public servants who should always consider the sensibilities of all backgrounds of their constituents.

Fred Kleinknecht, the former Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite Masons, Southern Jurisdiction, had initiated efforts in the District of Columbia, beginning as early as 1975 to bring together his organization and the Prince Hall Masons, the black Lodge. In June 2006, now retired, he testified before the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission on legislation to establish a memorial to the more than 5,000 black soldiers of the Revolutionary war, including Prince Hall and his son Primus. Mr. Kleinknecht thought this history could bring together the two Masonic groups across the country for a common purpose that honors the nation's birth. He is now a member of the Board of National Mall Liberty Fund D.C., (www.libertyfunddc.org) the organization I chair to build the memorial. See his statement at http://www.libertyfunddc.org/FRED_Kleinknecht_TESTIMONY_NCMAC_FINAL_JUNE_25_06.pdf

Primus Hall knew General Washington, and his father was one of several free blacks (already in the Army) who protested Washington's initial order to bar blacks from the Continental Army. Washington is feted as the most famous Mason, and he clearly understood the role blacks played under him in winning the Revolution. Fred thought that history could heal wounds and bring Masons, white and black, together as well as the nation.

Legislation to build the memorial, the National Liberty Memorial Act, S. 2495, was introduced by Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut and, among others, Senator Charles H. Grassley of Iowa, who is a member of the Scottish Rite Masons. Senator Grassley has been a strong supporter of this concept for over 20 years. See his statement at http://www.libertyfunddc.org/Sen_Grassley_press_release_introduction.pdf. The key committee where our bill (National Parks Subcommittee of the Senate Energy Committee) is pending is chaired by Senator Craig Thomas of Wyoming. Senator Thomas is also a member of the Scottish Rite Masons.

Fred arranged a meeting with Senator Thomas in October of 2005. Mr. Kleinknecht told him how significant this legislation was to the prospect of future unity between the black and white Masonic orders. We are persuaded that Senator Thomas will eventually support our bill and understands its national ramifications for racial unity. We hope that the bill will be approved in the lame duck session. Certainly, had it been approved months ago, it could have diffused some of the controversy inherent in the AP story coming out of Alabama. Perhaps that Scottish Rite Lodge would have accepted the call to help build this national memorial that would go on the Mall at Constitution Gardens, near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial. They would be standing up for those who helped create the U.S. and the freedoms they enjoy black soldiers and patriots, some of whom were also Masons and some of whom sired Prince Hall Masons.

In 1975, the District of Columbia City Council (see transcription of the Washington Star article attached) under chairman Marion Barry and Dave Clarke conducted a hearing that involved the Scottish Rite Masons, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Society of the Cincinnati and other exclusive organizations not known at the time to have black members. The Council was considering removing the real estate tax exemption from organizations that did not reflect the multiracial make up of the District. Mr. Kleinknecht was a witness there and described what he was doing to work with the black Masonic group to find unity. Two years later my aunt Lena Santos Ferguson was rejected for membership in the DAR. Only after a four year battle did she finally gain membership. Today, thanks to her, perhaps as many as 30 black women have joined the organization.

Maurice Barboza
www.libertyfunddc.org

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