“Freemasons in the White House: Lessons from History’s Trying Times”

On this episode, historian and Assistant Grand Historian of the Scottish Rite Southern Masonic Jurisdiction, Chris Ruli, 33°, took us on journey into the fascinating intersection of famous Freemason presidents and the trying times they faced in American history. The conversation offered a unique perspective on how Masonic values may have influenced these leaders and how historical perceptions often differ from reality.

Setting the Historical Stage: Perceptions and Precedents

Ruli emphasized that every generation often feels it’s living in the most divisive times, a notion quickly dispelled by a look back at history. “I don’t think, I think it has been a pretty crazy couple of decades since 9-11. I’ll say that. I think that’s probably the most certainly for my generation, the Millennial generation, that is absolutely the Pearl Harbor of the events of that.” He highlighted the ebb and flow of economic and social shifts throughout American history, from the Gilded Age to the Civil War, and the early 19th-century economic crashes.

A key theme was the shifting perception of history itself. Ruli noted, “Our perception, and this is an issue in Masonry, our perception is we’ve been taught something, we assume that that is accurate and true. And then as we grow up, we find through education, through experiences, through perhaps just living life, that we find that the things that we’re taught were not necessarily true, or perhaps there’s a shift or a turn or a tinge that’s off.” He views Freemasonry as an undercovered “arm of American history.”

 

George Washington and the Whiskey Rebellion

The discussion kicked off with Brother George Washington, the most famous Freemason and the nation’s first president. Washington’s decision to use a large militia to quell the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794 was a pivotal moment. Ruli explained that Washington knew “everything he would do would set a precedent moving forward.” He also noted that Freemasonry’s principles were “very fashionable, it was very hip, it was very modern” at the time, attracting respectable gentlemen who contributed to public welfare.

On the issue of presidential pardons, initiated by Washington, Ruli pointed out that criticism was inherent, regardless of the decision. “Even George Washington had detractors, right? Even, Harry S. Truman had detractors. Whoever the best presidents, know, of course, obviously Lincoln had his own distractors.”

Manifest Destiny and the Charge of Citizenship: James K. Polk

The conversation then jumped to James K. Polk, the 11th president and also a Freemason, known for popularizing the concept of Manifest Destiny. While Masonic lodges emphasize being good citizens and respecting the law, Ruli argued that Manifest Destiny is not inherently a Masonic idea. “Where in Masonry does it say we must accumulate all of our resources? We must… contribute, we must pool our resources together, we donate 10 % of our income to the Lodge, we must have Masonic buildings, we must have all of these things. There’s nothing in Masonry that says about the idea of wealth generation, of political generation, certainly of political capital. There is nothing in Masonry that explains this. There’s nothing that validates it.” He concluded, “Manifest Destiny is based on Masonic principles, because to me it’s inherently a political action. And what do we say? Don’t get involved in politics, and yet, be a good citizen.”

 

The Power of Pardon and Quiet Engagement: Gerald Ford

The podcast concluded with Brother Gerald Ford, the only man to serve as president without being elected to the office, and his controversial pardon of Richard Nixon. Ruli believes Ford, a product of a Masonic family, embodied a “Masonic politician” trying to balance contemporary views with traditional practices.

Ford’s statement that his pardon aimed “to change our national focus” and that the American people “have a long record of forgiving even those who have been our country’s most destructive foes” resonated with Masonic principles of reconciliation. Ruli stated, “I think that level of reconciliation is important in Freemasonry. I’ve seen it personally. I’ve seen situations where we could make a big deal about this, but maybe we don’t. And maybe we find ways to privately deal with this. when we do privately deal with it, it turns out to be the best thing to do.” He emphasized the “benefit of quiet engagement, of engaging with brothers quietly,” a skill learned through the Masonic journey, particularly in the First Degree which emphasizes silence and listening.

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