There (used) to be an anti freemason political party
It was the (first) third party in American history
(1828–1838)
Triggered by the disappearance of William Morgan (1826)
Morgan threatened to publish a book exposing Freemason rituals
He was arrested on minor charges.. then vanished
Many Americans believed local Freemasons kidnapped and murdered him
Courts didn’t hold many members accountable
..........................................................
The party believed..
-- Freemasonry was a secret, oath-bound society inside government
-- It corrupted courts and election
-- Public officials should not belong to secret organizations
-- Transparency > hidden loyalty networks
This wasn’t just fringe paranoia because Freemasonry at the time (and now) included judges, sheriffs, politicians, and business elites
So suspicion spread fast and sparked outrage