Were members of the early Masonic Lodge pro-slavery?

Question

Assuming they were members between 1850 and 1900.
The Masonic Lodge in question is located in Philadelphia.

Answer 1

Well first of all, you shouldn't be referring to that period between 1850 and 1900 as "early Masonic." The first Grand Lodge was organized in England in 1717 and there are individual lodges with records going back much farther than that. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts (oldest in the New World) was organized in 1733 and the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is nearly as old.



Anyway, the question of slavery would have been considered a political issue and because Freemasonry does not get involved in politics, no lodge or Grand Lodge would have taken any official position on it. Freemasons are all individuals, each with their own personal political ideology and opinions about ethics and morality. Some Freemasons would have opposed slavery, some would have tolerated it, and some may have had no opinion at all...and I'm sure the topic would never have been discussed in lodge, because lodge is a place to set political differences aside and meet as brothers.



However, if you're talking about a lodge located in Philadelphia, chances are most members would have been against slavery because I believe most people in Philadelphia would have been against it.

Answer 2

Lodges are not pro or even anti anything.

You are asking about the personal feelings and positions of an unknown number of men from about 160 years ago.

I doubt even living grand- and great-grandchildren could possibly give you an answer about their ancestors.

Answer 3

Membership in the Masons wouldn't have determined whether you supported or opposed slavery.

Answer 4

According to Alan Price's play , he's the keyboards on The Animals "The House of the Rising Sun" the UK Masons sold and addicted him to cocaine , silly boy !

Straightened up when he wrote Follow the Geordie Boy and the Amazing Dancing Bear !