Abraham Lincoln

The Man Who Would Be A Mason

A Life in Brief

Anyone who has ever visited Springfield, Illinois, knows that the state capital's greatest historic treasure is being the foundation for the career of President Abraham Lincoln. Though born in poverty on the Kentucky frontier, it was in Springfield that he would take his personal curiosity, tenacity, strength, and sense of decency and forge a legacy that survives two centuries later.

Self-educated, Lincoln first overcame his humble origins residing in the nearby town of New Salem, where he worked in a general store before first running for state office. This ambition was interrupted by the outbreak of the Black Hawk War, in which Lincoln served as a militia captain, though he did not see combat. After the war, Lincoln co-owned a general store, bartended, the served as the local postmaster and county surveyor, before his constant self-directed studies led him to becoming a lawyer.

Lincoln's political aims eventually saw him take office as a state representative in 1834; he would serve four terms in this office, during which he resettled in Springfield. In 1846, he was successful in ousting US Congressman John J Hardin, marking his first emergence on the federal stage. He pledged to serve only one term in the office, a pledge he upheld. After his term was complete, he returned to Springfield and continued his successful practice of law.

With the rising tide of abolitionist sentiment in the northern states of the union in the 1850s, Lincoln emerged as a leader on the topic, giving over 170 speeches on the topic between 1854 and 1860. Speaking on the matter fervently, Lincoln would become a leader within the fledgling Republican party of the time, elevated back to the national spotlight during the presidential campaign of 1856.

In 1858, Lincoln would stand as the Republican Party's nominee for the available United States Senate seat, opposed by his local rival, Stephen A Douglas, of the Democratic Party. Lincoln strongly favored abolishing all slavery in the United States and the territories, while Douglas favored allowing individual states to decide the matter in their own territories, a philosophy commonly referred to as popular sovereignty. Seven debates occurred over the course of the campaign, pitting the two talented speakers against one another on the topic, which have since become known as the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. Though Lincoln was successful in his bid for the Senate seat, due to the rules for election of the time, his position in the view of the American public was further heightened as a result.

On November 6th, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States of America. He departed Springfield on February 11th, 1861, giving a moving farewell address to his adoptive hometown before boarding the train which would take him to Washington, DC.

Lincoln's Fairwell Address

My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.

Lincoln was sworn in on March 4th, 1861, on the footsteps of the partially completed United States Capitol Building in Washington, DC. By this point, seven Southern states had already voted to suceed from the union. Four more would join them in the months to come, though Virginia would ultimately be split into the future states of Virginia and West Virginia due to the latter region's distaste in joining the newly constituted Confederate States of America.

Over the course of the next four years, Lincoln would navigate the most bloody conflict that the nation has yet to know, as American turned on American, brother on brother, in a bitter war that pitted the rights of individuals versus the will of the nation, and sought to end a decades-long debate once and for all. It would not be until the surrender of General Robert E Lee, of the Army of Northern Virginia, at Appomattox Station on April 9th, 1865, that it became all too clear to the Confederate forces that the end of their rebellion had come. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, first issued on January 1st, 1863, would finally be enacted in Texas - the last bastion of slavery remaining in the United States - on June 19th, 1865, which we today mark with the holiday known as Juneteenth.

Text of the Emancipation Proclamation

January 1, 1863

A Transcription

By the President of the United States of America:

A Proclamation.

Whereas, on the twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, to wit:

That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.

That the Executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof, respectively, shall then be in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day be, in good faith, represented in the Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such State shall have participated, shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such State, and the people thereof, are not then in rebellion against the United States.

Now, therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-Chief, of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion, do, on this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days, from the day first above mentioned, order and designate as the States and parts of States wherein the people thereof respectively, are this day in rebellion against the United States, the following, to wit:

Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, (except the Parishes of St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James Ascension, Assumption, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including the City of New Orleans) Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, (except the forty-eight counties designated as West Virginia, and also the counties of Berkley, Accomac, Northampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Ann, and Norfolk, including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth[)], and which excepted parts, are for the present, left precisely as if this proclamation were not issued.

And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.

And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages.

And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.

And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh.

By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN
WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

Re-elected to the office of President in 1864, Lincoln lived to see the surrender of Lee, which triggered a series of surrenders that brought down the Confederacy at last. Unfortunately, five days after that victory, Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth as he viewed a performance of Our American Cousin at Ford's Theater. He passed away early the next morning.

Beginning on April 19th, Lincoln's body lay in state, beginning at the White House and ending in the Capitol rotunda. They were then transported back to Springfield, Illinois, by rail. The funeral train took two weeks to complete the trip, traveling by a winding route through the North to give citizens the opportunity to grieve. Arriving on May 3rd, Lincoln lay in state at the Old State Capitol building overnight, before being interred at Oak Ridge Cemetary the next afternoon.

Was Lincoln A Mason?

It is well established that Abraham Lincoln, a cherish and admirable individual who led the nation through arguably one of its most difficult periods, was never initiated as a Freemason. However, it is also widely accepted that he did, shortly before being elected President, petition to join the fraternity. Specifically, it is believed that Lincoln petitioned Tyrian Lodge No. 333.

During this period, three Lodges existed in city of Springfield, Illinois: Springfield Lodge No. 4 (chartered April 28th, 1840), Central Lodge No. 71 (chartered October 4th, 1849), and Tyrian Lodge No. 333 (chartered October 2nd, 1860). A prominent member of Springfield Lodge No. 4 was none other than Stephen Douglas, Lincoln's well-known foe, who would have been virtually certain to have rejected his petition. Central Lodge No. 71 (now consolidated as part of Chatham Central Lodge No. 523) was another well established Lodge, possibly with stronger ties with Bro. Douglas. The obvious alternative, then, becomes the newly chartered Tyrian Lodge No. 333, which would be more likely to have ties to the future President.

More certain evidence of Lincoln's connection to Tyrian Lodge No. 333 comes in the immediate period after his assassination. On April 17th, 1865, Tyrian Lodge No. 333 adopted a resolution which acknowledged that he had asked for his petition to be held until after he no longer held the office of President, "lest his motives be misconstrued."

While he did not live to see that final goal fulfilled, Tyrian Lodge No. 333 is proud that he considered us worthy of his time and membership. Tyrian Lodge continues to keep the memory of the friendship and fellowship of the Brother than almost was alive and well, and hope he continues to be a beacon for future generations for his strength and resolve.

Resolution Adopted by Tyrian Lodge No. 333
April 17, A.D. 1865, A.L.5865

The members of Tyrian Lodge, No, 333, A. F. & A. M., in regular communication convened, with members of Springfield Lodge, No. 4, Central Lodge, No. 71, and other worthy visiting brethren, deem this a suitable occasion to express their opinions as Masons and citizens in this momentous crisis; therefore.

Resolved, That as the immediate friends and neighbors of our late beloved and now revered President LINCOLN, we deeply and sorrowfully deplore his death.

Resolved, That the scrupulous honor and honesty of President LINCOLN in all his private relations, his faithfulness and kindness as a husband and father, his fairness and ability as a lawyer, his wisdom and public spirit as a citizen, and his patient, humane and honest career as a magistrate and statesman, furnish examples worthy of all praise and imitation.

Resolved, That we sincerely condole with the bereaved widow and fatherless children in their terrible and irreparable loss.

Resolved, That the decision of President LINCOLN to postpone his application for the honors of Masonry, lest his motives should be misconstrued, is in the highest degree honorable to his memory.

Resolved, That the murderer of President LINCOLN, and the assassin of Secretary SEWARD, should be hunted with unceasing vigilance and vigor until found, and be brought to trial, judgment and punishment.

Resolved, That Masons should in all cases be subject to the law, abide by the law, be ready to assist in enforcing it, and should never connive at, tolerate or encourage disrespect for law, or any disobedience or infraction of it; for Masons hold themselves subject to rules; and the law of God, and of the land, should in all cases be the paramount rule of action.

Resolved, That we have an unshaken faith in the principles of free government; and while we tolerate the, utmost freedom of opinion and choice, we hold it to, be our duty, and, we hereby solemnly pledge our- selves to stand by the Government in all its lawful measures to preserve its vigor and maintain its integrity. resolutions be forwarded to every Lodge in this State.

Resolved, That a copy of this preamble and these with a request that the same be concurred in, and that the action of each lodge be communicated to the Grand Secretary.

Resolved, That the editor of the Masonic Trowel, G and of the several papers published in this State, be requested to publish this preamble and these resolutions.

JOHN C. REYNOLDS, Secretary
O. H. MINER, W.M
H. G. REYNOLDS.
JESSE K. DUBOIS
J. R. TYSON
T.R. KING
PIERSON ROLL

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