, of morals, codes, customs,
languages, fashions, money, and measures. Its virtuous propaganda
will become the humanitarian law of all consciences.[667]

The policy of the Grand Orient is thus avowedly International Socialism.
Indeed in a further passage Ragon plainly indicates this fact:

Every generous reform, every social benefit derives from it, and if
these survive it is because Masonry lends them its support. This
phenomenon is due only to the power of its organization. The past
belongs to it and the future cannot escape from it. By its immense
lever of association it alone is able to realize by a productive
communion (_communion generatrice_) that great and beautiful social
unity conceived by Jaurez, Saint-Simon, Owen, Fourier. If Masons
wish it, the generous conceptions of these philanthropic thinkers
will cease to be vain Utopias.[668]

Who are the philanthropic thinkers enumerated here but the men
derisively described by Karl Marx as the "Utopian Socialists" of the
nineteenth century? Utopian Socialism is thus simply the open and
visible expression of Grand Orient Freemasonry. Moreover, these Utopian
Socialists were almost without exception Freemasons or members of other
secret societies.

The Freemason Clavel confirms the foregoing account by Ragon. Thus, like
Ragon, he quotes, the principle expressed in a ritual for the initiation
of a Master Mason:

It is expressly forbidden to Masons to discuss amongst themselves,
either in the lodge or outside it, religious and political matters,
these discussions having usually the effect of creating discord
where formerly peace, union, and fraternity reigned. This masonic
law admits of no exceptions.[669]

But Clavel also goes on to say:

To efface amongst men the distinctions of colour, rank, creed,
opinions, country; to annihilate fanaticism, and ... the scourge of
war; in a word, to make of the whole human race one and the same
family united by affection, by devotion, by work and knowledge:
that, my brother, is the great work which Freemasonry has
undertaken, etc.[670]

Up to a point many a British Freemason reading these passages will
declare himself completely in accord with the sentiments expressed.
Humanitarianism, the obliteration of class distinctions, fraternization
between men of all races, conditions, and religious creeds, enter of
course l