Why did the freemasons fall into disrepute in 1826?

The alleged disappearance of ex-mason William Morgan. He threatened the fraternity with divulging certain secrets. It led to a power movement.

Explanation:

The disappearance led to a movement against the fraternity of the Freemasons. His disappearance was blamed on the masons. This contributed to people's paranoia. The body was found and presumptively identified as Morgan's. There is no evidence to suggest that the masons' conspired against a man to take his life. This is why we have a court of law, and evidence should outweigh the "allegations".

richard nixon led the investigation that resulted in alger hiss being convicted of prejury.

china unilaterally claims the entire south china sea as sovereign territory, then builds artificial islands to bolster its claim. it suddenly activates an air defense identification zone over the east china sea, and threatens to down any aircraft that does not report its position. it builds roads into indian territory, then redraws the maps to show that it is actually chinese territory. the people's republic under president xi jinping is quickly becoming the bully of asia.