In the course of the 1820's, Masonic public opinion was generally opposed to the Restoration regime. It was a passive resistance, which didn't manifest itself in deeds, because the Freemasons were afraid that the "Grand Orient de France" (GO) would be abolished. The law's prohibition of conducting discussions of a political or a religious nature was respected, for fear of informers. However, there existed all the time a few republican lodges. In 1821 one of them introduced certain innovations in its Masonic protocol of ceremonies. They were based on rational grounds and introduced free political debates, expressing highly critical opinions of the regime and the Church, and gave vent to extreme Republican aspirations. These debates attracted hundreds of new recruits which were initiated by great numbers. An insurrection attempt by two Republican lodges failed in 1822. Some of the leaders escaped to Italy where they joined the revolutionary Carbonari movement. Upon their return they imported the idea to France and founded secret societies. These Charbonnerie societies terrorized the regime for a while but were soon liquidated. More...