Mark Coleman Wallace PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

aware of a minority Tory presence, but it chose to ignore it. As Wartski says,
the “tendency of governments in power for very long periods is to become
arrogant, and to disregard the opposition, which on the other hand veers towards
resentment and desperation, so the schism between the parties [becomes]
marked by tremendous bitterness and ill-feeling.” 63 Indeed, the masonic divide
between Whig and Tory would increase during the ensuing political feud,
ultimately culminating with a much-publicized court trial and accusations of a
Tory conspiracy to destroy the Grand Lodge and defame Scottish freemasonry. 64
Discredit and Political Disenchantment
Having twice defeated the proposed address to the King, it is unclear
why the Grand Lodge pursued the matter further. Apparently, it wanted to
summarily vindicate itself of any misconduct and, at the same time, blame
Mitchell for the entire political discord. Subsequently, he was suspended from
all masonic privileges. The Grand Lodge of Scotland had clearly changed its
attitude regarding political affiliations. On 1 August 1791, it recorded that
no Lodge shall have in it their power to intrude [upon] any Member of
their Lodge merely on account of his differing in sentiments as to
political affairs in the town or village where he resides, from the
Majority of the Members of his Mother Lodge, or on any pretence of his
becoming a Member or attending the meetings of their Lodges, and that
the Brother thus aggrieved may immediately apply to the Grand Lodge
for redress without petitioning his Mother Lodge for readmission. 65
63 Wartski, “Secret Societies,” 45.
64 Grand Lodge of Scotland Minutes, 25 May 1808.
65 Ibid, 1 August 1791.
247