Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-06-15


Ladies, GeRftemen, and BrtfAren:
! arise not for the purpose Of making
q formal address, but Of Offering few
concise remarks upon our prosperity in
Virginia, together with some cursory
notices OF the benefits OF our instilu-
ton, and leaving to my able brother
who has kindly consented TO address
you on this occasion, the task Of elu-
cidatingthe origin. and descanting upon
the merits attached 10 this mysierious
order-mysterious 10 those that know
Il not, but perfectly clear and compre-
hensive TO those that understand its
principles, which have survived the
shock Of ages, the Wondering ruin Of
time, and the furious and nnremitting
attacks Of ignorance, prejudice, and SUI
perstition. II is not our task to trace
the warrior in his course, whether ac-
tuaied by boundless ambition or love Of
power, or the pure and hallowed aspi-
rations OF the liberty Of an injured and
oppressed people. Such subjects have.
indeed, occupied the attention OF man
kind from remotest periods; and the
warning passions Of our nature clearly
indicate that such will be the future
history OF man, while il shall please the
supreme Architect of the universe 10
roll in magnificent beauty the planet
We inhabit. But. my BreIhEen, turn
ing from the blood-stained pages OF
history, I would point you to The pure
and sublime principles Of charity upon
which our institution is founded, and
which has Characterised lie existence
in this. our highly favored County
-Four years ago, the inhabitants Of thi,
village beheld = society instituted n.
mong them, claiming the hallowed mot
TO Of "FRIESDsHIP, LOVE, and TRuTH, 4"
aud il has succeeded beyond the most
ssnguine expectations Of its warmesI
fIiends--embracing many Of the most
enlightened citizens Of this community.
Il was then that we, as its members,
could gaze through the Old Dominion.
and behold that we were the hrst that
had unfufled the banner Of Odd Eel
lowship within the borders Of Virginia;
and in the short interval Of time which
has sinee elapsed, six sister Lodges
have reared It's standard, and are hou.
FishiBg under is sacred motto, ia this
State. Fourteen years anterior to the
opening Of our Lodge. the banner OF
Odd Fellowship was FIRST unfuIlcd on
the shores Of Columbia. and within the
city Of Baltimore. What has been Us
prosperity, leave you TO determine
when from the snow-iOpped mountains
Of Name 10 the wilderness Of Wiscon-
sin, we behold lodges IN active opera.
ton under The parental guidance Of the
Lodge 81 tho United States, located
within that very city whose gratitude
and patriotism have secured for IL 4
name which has nov become as com.
mon as ils original and proper ONE
mean The monumental city. And such
is our prospect, that looking through
the dark vista of Timo, we are induced
10 hope that tie period era long will
arrive, when. in every village, We shall
sec temples dedicated 10 charity. bear.
ing our sacred motto. But, NY bre-
thfen, what schemes have not been de-.
vised. and what means have not been
FesoFted 70. By a sect bearing the form,
Of men but the hearts of 6ends, who
have aTrayed against us q catalogue d
crimes, attached only 10 themselves
and that merely because We beer che
name Of q secret association, They
have alleged that under lho garb Of e..
cFecy We cloak our unwoTthiness, thai
we are q sworn band. only calculated
10 sap the foundation Of republicanism
and pave ihs way 10 anarchy and dee.
poiism. Bot, brcihren and fellow .ciii.
zens, ihis charge Of gross calumny
scarce merits other than silent con.
tempt bat % those whose minds ere
not shfouded IN the dark mist Of preiu.
dice. snd who require something more
ihan snspicion fof proof ! would ap.
peal. and ask, II be who led our armies
70 battle. and obtained our liberty. did
not belong 70 one Of those societies
against which political demagoques
have brought every argument which
disappointed spirits could suggest and
malignant hearts Invent Was noi
Fgasklin, Who IN the 6elds Of ssienos