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Freemasons Contribution to Freedom
FREEMASON'S CONTRIBUTION TO FREEDOM
SPEECH Of HON. KARL E. MUNDT
of SOUTH DAKOTA
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Tuesday, July 11, 1967
Mr. MUNDT: Mr. President, on June 10, 1967, at Crescent Temple, Trenton, N.J., a class of 185 new Shriners was designated as 'The Albert W. Hawkes Class.'
Albert Hawkes is a former Member of the U.S. Senate from the great State of New Jersey. During his service in the Senate, he was in the forefront in the continuing effort to build a stronger America and to preserve the cherished freedoms which we enjoy today and which are the envy of many nations around the world.
In his remarks to the class designated in his honor, Senator Hawkes points out that the teachings of Freemasonry have been responsible for inspiring leadership and character for our Republic and other vitally important things in life. He urged the class designated as 'The Albert W. Hawkes Class' to be, by their conduct and example, an inspiration to others and thus help to show the way to the preservation of freedom in a peaceful world.
Mr. President, in order that we might all share in the wisdom of our former colleague's remarks to his class, I ask unanimous consent that there be printed in the RECORD the introduction by Edward D. Stites, Sr. Senator Hawkes' remarks and the response of George E. Stringfellow, past imperial potentate of the Shrine.
There being no objection, the items were ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
Illustrious Potentate Edward D. Stites, Sr.: Nobles, this class of I85 candidates assembled here tonight and dedicated to duty to God, Country and Brotherhood, is officially named The Noble Albert W. Hawkes Class In honor of an outstanding citizen and member of Crescent Temple, former United States Senator from New Jersey, Past President of the United States Chamber of Commerce and a New Jersey industrial leader. He Is a resident of Sea Girt, New Jersey. He is Honorary Chairman of the Washington Crossing Foundation and he is a Trustee of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. His wonderful personality and honest opinions have made him an outstanding favorite and I am confident his message to us will be meaningful and very helpful.
I can think of no more appropriate way to present Noble Hawkes to this fine Class of newly created Shriners than to read the citation presented to him tonight by Crescent Temple. That citation says:
'This citation is presented to Honorable Albert W. Hawkes 'E'acta non verba'''Deeds not words' as a tribute for his many, many services to God, Country and mankind.
Noble Hawkes has endeared himself to all of the Nobility with his unquenchable faith In the dogmas and the performances of our human service for the advancement of world brotherhood.
His labor In life's forum was always enthusiastic the same kind words of affection and esteem were by him extended, no rank nor station made
any difference in his loyalty and devotion to his brethren, Individually or to the craft in general.
It is the wish and desire of the Officers and Past Potentates that whenever possible every Noble convey to the Honorable Noble Albert W. Hawkes their sincere appreciation and most grateful thanks for his many years of distinguished and faithful service.
Therefore, this Citation shall convey our warmest and earnest prayer that Allah shall bless him with good health, success and happiness. Noble Hawkes will, forever, remain in our hearts for he has won an imperishable place for himself In the annals of Crescent Temple. It Is with pleasure and with a great deal of pride and admiration that I present the Honorable Albert W. Hawkes.
FREEMASON'S CONTRIBUTION TO FREEDOM
Albert W. Hawkes: Illustrious Potentate Edward D. Stites, Sr., I deeply appreciate your kind remarks In presenting me to this fine Class and audience and for the great and meaningful tribute on this beautiful plaque from Crescent Temple, for which I trust I may in some measure be worthy.
I am highly complimented that this Class has been named In my honor. The fact that it numbers 186 gives me hope for the future, because the teachings of Freemasonry have been responsible for inspiring leadership and character for our Republic and other vitally important things In life.
I believe if the teachings of Freemasonry were understood by the leading citizens of the nations of the world, we would find a way to make all the necessary sacrifices to live In a world of freedom and peace and thus avoid the miseries and destruction of war.
It was Lord Byron who said 'A thousand years are scarce enough to Form a state a single hour may lay it in the dust.' It is the responsibility of the citizens of all nations to avoid that 'single hour.' Every thoughtful American realizes that that single hour could occur and destroy everything we have and believe in, if the gray cells ln a few irresponsible brains became confused and, In anger, pushed the wrong button.
When he was near the end of his long and productive life, George Washington was asked 'To what do you attribute your calm and courage on the battlefields, your faith and determination in the right and your honesty and integrity in public office?' After some meditation, he replied 'I think I must give as much credit to my teachings In Freemasonry as any one thing.'
Paul Revere, who sounded the alarm so valuable to our revolutionary solders, was another Freemason and he, like Washington, was Worshipful Master of his Lodge. The records reveal that a majority of all those who signed the Declaration of independence were Freemasons. Those patriots knew that in their efforts failed, the signing of that great document meant for them the supreme sacrifice.
A majority of those who signed the Constitution of the United States were Freemasons. That important document became the foundation for our American system of free men, under a rule of laws as enacted by the people's freely-chosen representatives. Our Constitution was referred to by William E. Gladstone, the eminent Prime Minister of England, as 'the greatest piece of work ever struck off by the brain and purpose of man.' Our Constitution was again referred to by William Pitt, defender of the rights of American colonists, as 'the admiration of all future generations.'
Behind the chair of George Washington, who presided over the Constitutional Convention, was a representation of the rising sun. After the delegates had signed the Constitution, the venerable Benjamin Franklin, who had been Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons.
In the State of Pennsylvania for three years, said 'In the course of the session . . . I looked at the sun behind the President without being able to tell whether It was rising or setting, but now, at length, I have the happiness to know it was rising . . ,'
When a nation remains faithful to the ideals of freedom of the spirit'the essence of Freemasonry'there is no final sunset for its people.
The late Winston Churchill, said by many to have been the greatest statesman of this century, was also an active Freemason.
The years since we became a nation have brought swift changes in the American scene. However, patriotic public service remains now, as in the time of our Masonic forebears, the keystone of the Republic's vitality and power. We Freemasons, who are proud of our heritage, can do no more than emulate their example and we can not, in good conscience, do less. If we are eternally vigilant and act courageously, on time, in defense of our way of life, we wall be worthy of our heritage and wall thus discharge our duty as citizens. Lest we forget, I beseech every American to recall those unforgettable words of our great patriot, Nathan Hale who, when sentenced to death at the age of 21, said 'I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.' That is such a great statement that it makes those who have lived many years realize it is not the years one has lived that count, but rather what one has done in those years.
For some time Americans have faced the controversial question of whether our political leaders were wise in abandoning Washington's advice in his Farewell Address 'Beware of foreign entangling alliances.' In disregarding his advice, before we were prepared to accept world leadership, all will agree that we have not made the world safe for democracy.
We are now an inseparable part of a sick world, therefore we must stand together to help the world find peace. We have cured nothing, even though we have given away hundreds of billions of dollars. It is reliably stated that our total debts of Federal, State and local government are as great as the total assessed valuation of all the property in the United States for taxation purposes.
No price, except the abandonment of principle, is too great to pay for peace and freedom, but we must spend our 'substance' wisely to avoid defeat of our objective.
If we would have freedom and peace In a happy world, our conduct must be governed by equity'which is the soul of justice and the spirit of righteousness which now from the bosom of God.
In our negotiations to establish peace and preserve freedom, here are some of the things we must never forget.
1. See things clearly and as a whole.
2. Remember that there are usually three sides to every controversy our
side, the other fellow's side and the right side.
3. Realize that who is right is inconsequential when compared with what
is right. Who is right fades from the memory of man in a few generations or centuries, but what is right is eternal.
4. Try to teach the world that fair reward as an incentive to
accomplishment has done almost as much as 'old mother necessity' in causing human beings to burn the midnight oil to find new and better ways of doing things, not only for one's own benefit, but for humanity in general.
6. Understand that 'he who seeks equity must do equity.'
8. That 'he who comes into equity must do so with clean hands.'
7. Voluntary cooperation is the mainspring of free men at work.
Voluntary cooperation cannot exist without confidence in one another. Confidence in one another cannot exist without character, honesty, integrity and a spirit of equality in the hearts of our citizens toward one another.
Liberty Is freedom, but freedom is not free. It is the most expensive thing in the world, because it is the most valuable thing in life. Life without freedom is a tragedy. In seeking the preservation of Individual freedom in a peaceful world, it would be well to remember Abraham
Lincoln's advice that our objective in this country should be to find a way to divide 'the fruits of common effort fairly among the people who produce those fruits.'
My faith in the teachings of Freemasonry tells me we will find a way and make the necessary sacrifices to save and improve the important things our Masonic forebears helped so much to create for the benefit of mankind. Let us, as Freemasons and Shriners, by our conduct and example, be an inspiration to others and thus help show the way to the preservation of freedom in a peaceful world.
I can think of no better way for us to keep faith with our Masonic forebears than to make one of our most important objectives the outlawing of war by the powerful nations of the earth and thus prove that we no more condone mass murder throughout the world, as a means of settling our differences, than we condone single murder In our midst for the same purpose.
Our No. 1 objective in life, which includes most of the other objectives, must be the accomplishment of the mandate of the Supreme Architect of the Universe'Peace on earth, good will toward men.
Let us all try to make the little poem 'The Man ln The Glass' applicable to us In our daily lives.
THE MAN IN THE GLASS
'When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The Fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
is the one staring back from the glass.
You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward wall be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.'
In response to Senator Hawkes address past Imperial Potentate George E. Stringfellow said:
I am most happy to take part in this Ceremonial honoring Senator Albert W. Hawkes, one of the nation's truly good citizens. It was my pleasure to have proposed our honored guest for membership in Freemasonry and the Shrine.
Crescent Temple has among its members some of the most outstanding and patriotic citizens of North America, none, however, more lllustrious than Senator Hawkes.
Ralph Walt Emerson, one of the wisest Of Americans, must have had such a person in mind as Senator Hawkes when he said, 'I consider him a great man who inhabits a higher sphere of thought into which other men rise with difficulty and labor. 'I know of no one who inhabits a higher sphere of thought and who has done more to lift the moral and ethical standards of his fellow man than Noble Hawkes.
In every movement there is someone who represents the conscience of that movement. I can think of no one who more nearly represents the conscience of Freemasonry and the philosophy of the Shrine than Noble Hawkes.
He has been my faithful friend for many years and, as Napoleon said
'A faithful friend is the true image of deity.' By his conduct and example Noble Hawkes has, for decades, been the image of things that help to make this a better world.
From the Congressional record of July 11, 1967
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