To better understand the high moral character of these two Puerto Rican politicians and Masons, it is necessary to make a brief account of both Brothers, Luis Muñoz–Rivera and Dr. José Celso–Barbosa, and what they have represented in Puerto Rican Freemasonry.

Brother Luis Muñoz–Rivera was born in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, on July 17, 1859. A politician, newspaperman, poet, writer and statesman, he was also, at the age of 39, the Resident Commissioner for the Territory of Puerto Rico representing our island, a possession now of the United States of America by virtue of the Treaty of Paris in the year 1898. When Puerto Rico was a colony of Spain, Bro. Muñoz–Rivera and his followers wanted more autonomy from Spain and more respect for the people of Puerto Rico. This caused friction with Spain, and during his newspaper career, Bro. Muñoz–Rivera was criticized by the Spanish government on 42 occasions, all of them for defending the weak, Puerto Rico, against the powerful, Spain, and for wanting a free country where others wanted a subservient colony.

Ill. Bro. Muñoz–Rivera was the father of another great statesman, Governor Luis Muñoz–Marín (not a Mason), the architect of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, who inherited his father's passion for politics and poetry. During the political uproar of the times, a group of followers of a political party were exciting their followers against Dr. José Celso–Barbosa who wanted the annexation of Puerto Rico to the United States as a state in the Union. Luis, then a young lad, was also repeating, along with the crowd, "Death to Barbosa." His father called him to his office and placing young Luis on top of his desk, scolded him, and demanded from the young lad to say aloud "Long live Barbosa!" Ill. Brother Luis Muñoz–Rivera died on November 16, 1916, in his hometown of Barranquitas, Puerto Rico.

Brother José Celso–Barbosa, a M.D., was born in the town of Bayamón, close to San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, on July 27, 1857. In 1880, he obtained a degree in surgery and medicine from the University of Michigan. A politician, legislator and Mason, he founded the Pure Liberal Orthodox Party in 1897 and the Republican Party of Puerto Rico in 1899. The latter's platform was, as noted above, for Puerto Rico to become a state of the Union. He is considered the father of the statehood ideal for Puerto Rico. In contrast, Brother Luis Muñoz–Rivera desired a continued relation with Spain but with much greater autonomy for Puerto Rico.

In 1903 the University of Michigan conferred a Master of Arts Degree Honorus Causa on Brother Barbosa, and the University of Puerto Rico exalted him with a Doctorate at Law, Honoris Causa. Brother Barbosa was a Mason in the same excellent fashion as he was a doctor, politician, family man, and distinguished citizen. Dr. Barbosa was also a very distinguished member of Freemasonry, and all heard his voice with great respect and affection.

Notwithstanding, it was certain that, because of their political beliefs, these two extraordinary men and Masons were divided by a great distance. The Masonic brotherhood had to do something about it. In 1909, Loarina Lodge No. 17 requested the celebration of a Masonic Assembly to discuss important matters of public interest. Its second purpose was to foster the reconciliation of the two Brothers, distant because of their political beliefs. To achieve this reconciliation, the Lodge presented a petition to the Grand Lodge of Puerto Rico. The assembly approved the petition, and on December 20, 1909, the stage was set to bring together Bros. Luis Muñoz–Rivera and José Celso–Barbosa. At one o'clock at Saint John the Baptist Lodge Number 12, the two Brothers were called and placed between the Lodge's Masonic columns. The Grand Worshipful Master then explained the object of their presence at this extraordinary meeting.

Brother Muñoz–Rivera, placing the Masonic ideal before political rivalry, pronounced the following noble words: "I came in my automobile, prompt to comply with the invitation made by some of the Brothers of the Fraternity. If I had known that I was to meet my long-term friend and Brother, Doctor Barbosa, I should had flown to meet him more promptly." Doctor Barbosa, no less a gentlemen, nobly replied: "If I had realized this meeting was to take place, I should have flown on the wings of the wind to be here earlier and so hug this old and loving friend and Brother."

At the altar of Freemasonry, the two illustrious patriots, distanced before because of political differences, hugged each other, and their political differences forever were put aside. This episode is, without a doubt, one of the most notable in the history of universal Freemasonry. We Puerto Rican Masons are very proud of these two formidable Brothers now in the Eternal Orient.

Eduardo Camareno, Jr. is an Attorney at Law and is a member of the Valley of San Juan, Orient of Puerto Rico. He is also a member of the York Rites and a Past Worshipful Master of his Lodge, Patria No. 61 in San Juan. A Shriner of Abou Saad Temple, he presently is the Secretary of the Shrine Club of Puerto Rico and also the Chairman of the Hospital Committee for the Outreach Clinics of the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Puerto Rico.