Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-09-25
GRAND CELEBRATION OF ODD FEI,.


The Philadelphia papers are filled with ac.
counts of the celebration of Odd Fellows had
IN Philadelphia, on the 18th inst, consequent
upon the dedication of the odd Fellows Hall,
Just built by the Order at exceled in pomu
and circumstance, outrivalling in splendor any.
thlng OF the kind ever occurring in that city"
After speaking of the arrivals of the order in
the city-the necessary arrangements incident
to the celebration, &c &c., the Ledger says:
At this period all appeared confused and
chaotic, but by twelve o'clock things seemed
to assume some order. AT length all things
being arranged, the word was given to com.
mence movement. 1t was about twelve o'clock
and as the heal of the column moved down
Arch street in countermarch, the different divi-
sions filed out from right to left, joining the
pageant, and lengthening it out as it swep,
along the route
1t was magnificent sight at this moment
The gradual deepening of this almost interim.
nable column, one mass adding to that which
preceded it and swelling this tide OF life
and hope and animation till it's extremes wer.
lost in the distance, was a spectacle rarely wit.
messed in this city"
PNASSAo
Philadelphia at the time, that there were at
least 1000 Odd Fellows in the procession,
cat % minutes past six o'clock, P. NJ, the
procession commenced filing into the Franklin
Square, the subordinate lodges hating on az
irving at the Western central gate, and OPEN
ing their ranks, allowed the senior and higher
branches OF the Order to pass through AMI en-
ter the Square first. The bands continued
playing during this movement, and the wind
ing march of the procession through the walks
before taking their places around the stands,
brought the whole body into view at once, and
was the most interesting part of the process
sion.
After the Lodges had all arrived, Grand
Master McKeever called the assembly to Or
der, and the Chairman of the committee of
arrangements, P G. J. Howell Hopkins,
introduced the orator of the day, James D. Nc
Cabe, Esq, who took his station in front of
the platform, and delivered an eloquent, we'll
written and appropriate address. He COM
mencel by asking the reason of the display of
banners and gittering files by which he was
surrounded, and answered the question by a
beautiful alluslon to the rise and progress of the
Order, and the erection of the new Hall in this
city.
objects and tendency of the Order, and paint
ed each in the most vivid and attractive colors,
dwelling with much effect upon its benevolent
designs and charitable works, and eloquently
arguing that as universal brotherhood, with
out political bias or religious bigotry, and en-
braclng men of every tongue and nation, it
was unrlvalled by any other organization
known to the world
He compared the Order to the glorious Re-
publican Institutions of the country, extending
its hand to the oppressed of every cline, and
giving succor and protection to all, and de.
scribed the several Lodges of which it is COM
posed as SO many family circles, where Friend
ship, Love and Truth are set up as household
deities, to bless and sanctify the hearth around
which the brotherhood assemble.
He said that the Order professed no particu-
lar form of faith, and pretended not to set up
a rivalry to any church, but offered platform
where the followers of every sect into which
the world is divided may meet and forget their
d differences. So with political parties it ia.
vored none, it attempts to influence none, but
while it exc. ules the demag og"e and the
bigot, it opens its arms to men Of every 10 .4tl-
cal doctrine.
The character and duties of an Odd Fellow
were described by the orator in a mastery
manner, and high and deserved compliment
was paid to Past Grand Sire Thomas Wildey,
the only survivor of that ban1 who planted
the standard of Odd Fellowship in the Wes-
tern hemisphere. The speaker conclu led by
giving glowing vision of the future career of
the Orier, and by an earnest exhortation to
the brethren to preserve and perpetuate its
principles in all their purity
The ceremonies were concu led at a few
minutes past o'clock, when the vast multi
tn lie assembled to witness them dispersed and
retired to their homes"
HEALrH ~ THE Towx.--We take occasion 10
assure our citizens abroad, that there are but few