Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1850-10-31


his duties as Assistant Postmaster Gen
erul.
The joint Naval and Military Con-
vention met this noon, at tic National
Hotel, to report upon certain questions
connected with the rank of their two
branches Of the public service.
--=--------.----=z-z-s==-- ----.--.s
n5|A friend has placed in our hands
n pamphlet bearing the iolowing title
Minutes Of the II. w. Grand odyc of
the State OF Rhode Island; I. q. q. 4.
Semi Annual Special and Annual Scs-
sions, Feb. s. April lG and August 6,
1885," he has also called our attention
To two paragraphs in the two reports of
Horace A. Manchester, who is styled
"Most Worthy Grand Master"
In his Report at the Semi Annual Scs-
sion, on the 9Th Of February, this Most
Worthy. Grand Master says =
have now in my possession the
charter of the late Ocean Lodge. Upon
inquiry ! find it was sold Thy those
who had the final hand in the breaking
up of the wrcck) with other things TO
the petitioners Tor Mechanics Lodge,
by whom il has since been forwarded To
me To be delivered into the Keeping Of
this Grand Lodge. Since The susrcn-
sion of Ocean Lodge. several persons
who claim to have been of lis members
in good standing. have applied 10 me- for
some advice or aid by which they mny
again become members of our order,
but OF course could have but one ans
wer--thc Lodge books being illegally
withheld. could have no evidence of
their membership or standing. know
notling Of the truth Of the statements Of
applicants but il Is certainly II great
hardship on their part 10 hc thus kept
.u, of their rights il ,hcy are not of the
guilty party, and it would seem but u
small act Of Justice on the part nj those
associated with them, TO return the Re
cords by which that standing or mcm-
bcrship may bc proved. ] would sng-
gest TO the Grand Lodge The rroprieiy
OF insiituiing an investigation into the
causes which led TO the decay Of that
Lodge that the guilty parties may he
come known to the order ,llnl We may
avoid them in future. Ii may also lead
us to sufficient light that may warrant
the extension Of aid TO those Brothers
who were really worthy.
In his Report at the Annual Session,
on The 9Th of August. he says
The suppression Of Ocean Lodge has
tended greatly To- the benefit OF the or
der in Newport and Rhode Island
Lodge No. IL, is now assuming con-
dition Of pcrmancnce and usefulness
Relieved from the odiuIn which the mis-
conduct Of IL few reflected upon the
whole order, the lodge has now progress
sed to condition of great prosperity
whilst the standing of its individual
members. and their strict adherence TO
duty will he sure guaranty to the pub
lie confdence--and thns rid them OF
much outward opposition. gcrminated by
the reckless management Of Ocean
Lodge.
We happen TO know something about
this matter. and shall, therefore, say n
few words in regard TO the slur which
this I" Most Worthy Grand Master
Manchester attempts TO cast, in a very
grandiloqucnt style, upon those who
were connected with this Society.
Every one who has ever been an Odd
Fellow, if his eyes are open, and his
fancy cannot be pleased with childish
display, is fully aware that there is not
n more ridiculous piece Of humbug in
existence than Odd Fellowship. 1t is n
kind Of amusement which will answer
very well for children, hut it il too pre-
posterous to see sensible men arrayed in
trinke,s, red ribbons, &c. And as to
The charitable character of the Order,
men, if they are disposed to do good,
can exercise their benevolence without
banding themselves together in n mys-
tcrious manner, and covering all their
proceedings beneath n veil Of prolo und
secrecy.
After Il while, Odd Fellowship died
out here, as it did in many other places.
There were no additions to Ocean
Lodge, the members were constantly
growing in debt, and none Of them felt
the slightest interest in the Society, or
any desire to keep it in existence. They
therefore. sold out all their trappings
and paid their d BITS the Tax Book,
showing who were members, and what
each owed, was sent to the Grand Lodge;
the Record Book was retained by one
of the members. with the consent Of all
who were sin at the funeral of the
Lodge" and it is still in his possession,
if he has not destroyed it. This Book
was of no use 10 any one, as the Tax
Book gave the Grand Lodge all the in
formation which il desired or needed in
order for il to grant Cards TO any who
might desire 10 join other Lodges.
This is a plain siatcmcn, of facts in
regard to the matter. And this is what
tins Z" Most Worthy Grand Master"
Manchester twattles about, and cxIcnds
his sympathy with so much eloqucncc
and owl-like gravity. He talks about