MASONIC MIRROR, Philadelphia & New  York, Feb. 17, 1858 

* Masonic - free masonry - Masons
* Pre American Civil War era 

In the dateline is: "Devoted To The Diffusion Of Masonic Intelligence, Fine Arts, Literature, News, etc." This little newspaper published for the Masons has a very graphic, Masonic-theme engraving in the masthead (see).
Twelve pages, 8 1/2 by 11 1/4 inches, great condition.

Background: The publication of the Masonic Mirror in February 1858 carries profound historical significance because it represents a final, fragile effort to maintain national unity and institutional stability through fraternal brotherhood just three years before the outbreak of the American Civil War. As mainstream political parties, religious denominations, and civic organizations violently fractured along sectional lines over the issue of slavery, Freemasonry uniquely positioned itself as a sanctuary of neutrality where men from both the North and the South were bound by sacred oaths of mutual support and shared moral philosophy. By diffusing a mixture of "Masonic Intelligence," literature, and fine arts across state lines, journals like the Masonic Mirror attempted to cultivate a shared cultural identity that transcended regional hostilities, acting as a crucial social glue during the highly volatile Buchanan administration. Ultimately, while the impending war would inevitably force lodges to suspend communication across battle lines, this document stands as a poignant testament to the mid-19th-century ideal that a universal brotherhood could heal a dissolving Union, offering a rare glimpse into the cultural defense mechanisms of a nation on the brink of collapse.