Albert Pike, a Humanitarian Who Helped Millions
It has been my pleasure to work and visit many nations around the globe. I have noticed that in Communist or Dictatorship oriented nations, that every time there is a regime change, or election of new leaders, the street names, statues, and "heroes" change. I recall one trip to Romania, just after their dictator, Nicolae Ceauisescu was deposed, it was impossible to find directions around town, because all of the street names had been changed, and many of the landmarks and statues removed.
We are seeing something like that in the USA when historical figures, statues, building names, even names of military buildings are to be changed, if the riotous voices of protest are heeded. Sadly some of those statues, some of the history, some of those who were extraordinary people of our culture, are insulted and defaced by wild and riotous people. Often those perpetrators are people just following an emotional crowd. Often they are not educated on the history, the background or the exceptional qualities of the "men honored by statues". Often ignorance and raw emotions guide their destructive behavior. A troublesome part for our culture, is that it harms the overall culture, and insults a majority of Americans, who try to treat history with respect.
Sometimes the changes, the damage is more than the riotous masses would imagine. One case that caught my eye is the toppling of the statue of Albert Pike, in Washington, D.C. Pike was a celebrated author, an intellect who studied scholarly writings of history, a humanitarian, a peacemaker with the American Indians, a significant voice and founder of the 32 degree rank, often called the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He urged "more light" for all, more education, more efforts to improve people through education and study. He was against slavery, and had such a positive impact upon people, that he was the only general of the Confederacy, that was awarded a statue of honor in Washington D.C. after the Civil War. Albert Pike was a child who due to bad parents, had to live with an uncle. His uncle recognized a brilliant mind and was amazed that Albert Pike had a photographic memory and was able to recall large volumes. He studied and read constantly. He mastered several languages, and passed his entrance exams for Harvard, taught school at Gloucester and in 1831 he moved to New Mexico and managed to befriend and worked with Native American Indians. Love and affection for Native Americans and their needs stayed with him for the rest of his life. He studied law, became an attorney and organized the "Know Nothing Party". While he was opposed to slavery, he was more opposed to farmers importing foreign laborers, he thought it would take jobs away from Americans. He was pro-indian, and eventually became commissioner of Indian Affairs for the Confederacy. He accused the Confederacy of neglecting its treaty obligation to the tribes and was arrested by the Confederacy for treason as a result. This was later settled. His entire life his brilliant mind took him to study and explore all forms of cultural beliefs, religions, and development of ethical systems. He joined the Freemasons and worked to improve Masonic rituals. In 1873 he moved to the Temple of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite in Washington, D.C. and remained there for the rest of the life. He impacted millions of lives always encouraging "more light" and personal spiritual/intellectual growth.
Under his leadership, black people were welcomed into Freemasonry. His 800 page book, Morals and Dogma, is still distributed, and read today and is a masterpiece of great quotes of mankind throughout history.…
