President William McKinley decided to become a Freemason when he saw acts of compassion by a Union soldier toward Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. The Union Brother who extended the kindness told McKinley, "It makes no difference to me; they are Brother Masons in trouble and I am only doing my duty."
"If that is Masonry," replied McKinley, "I will take some of it myself."
At that, McKinley petitioned for membership. Even though he was a Union Major at the time, he was initiated in a southern Lodge with a Confederate chaplain officiating as Master.
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