The Anti-Masonic Party was an American political party of the early 19th century which opposed Freemasonry. The party was active for a few years in the early 1820s and again in the late 1830s. The party was founded in 1826 in upstate New York, in the wake of the disappearance of William Morgan, a former Freemason who had threatened to expose Freemasonry’s secrets. The party ran numerous candidates for office, most notably William Wirt in the 1832 presidential election. Wirt would go on to win 7% of the popular vote and win the state of Vermont.
The Anti-Masonic Party had its origins in the disappearance of William Morgan, a former Freemason who had threatened to publish a book revealing the secrets of Freemasonry. Morgan had been threatened and harassed by Freemasons, and his disappearance in 1826 brought widespread suspicion and fear that he had been killed by Masons. The resulting public outrage fueled the formation of the Anti-Masonic Party.
The party was founded in Batavia, New York in 1826 and soon spread to other states. The party was organized around the opposition to Freemasonry and its associated secrecy. The party platform called for an end to secret societies and for public trials for Freemasons. The party also opposed government favoritism for Masons due to Masonry being hostile to Christianity.
Several Anti-Masons who won gubernatoiral elections included William A. Palmer who was the Governor of Vermont and Joseph Ritner the governor of Pennyslvnia.