Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-01-14
AyNIVERSiRY ADDRESS.
Delivered at the Presbyterian Church. Dee IL, 1850
br A. N. TREADwKLL.

br A. NJ TREADwELL.
Brethren of the Independent Order of Od
J Fellows, Ladies and Gentlemen:
In accepting the unexpected invitation tha
has been kindly rendered to me, to take par
with you in the exercises of this anniversar,
OF your Lodge, it is with difiidence that asl
your fratorna indulgence in the considera
tion Of the few remarks, which nv engage
ments have unabled me but hastily to prepare
The return of another anniversary of this
institution of your Lodge, which four years
since through the exertions of persevering
friends, was established in this enterprising
village, is all occasion well worthy of the in
terest ofits members, and of every friend OF
our order, who has witnessed its hitherto un-
interrupted prosperity, and may very proper
ly be embraced as period suitable for mu-
tual congratulaton, and for the renewal of
those cherished principles, switch it is tie
pride and duty of every Odd Fellow to ac
knowledge.
1t is peculiarly appropriate that on such an
occasion we should examine the basis on
which our structure rests, sand while we behold
with a just sentiment of pride the unexam-
pied progress of our broad spread fraternity,
to review the landmarks which have guided
Its advancement, again renew the pledges of
devotion To its faith, and consecrate ourselves
anew to the promotion of its sacred principles.
The fraternity of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows has now become as vast as the
area Of our widely extended continent, its
power for the accomplishment of its benign
objects as strong as the free government be-
meath whose sheltering Aegis to temples have
been raised, and its benefits are as apparent
as the enIlyening beams of the MONDAY sun
that glistens in the armament dispensing to
the sons Ut men those blessings that pro-
claim the Author of all good to whom we
bend in reverence.
Dur Cider has truly been progressive in |
its character. 1t has passed the threshold of
its infantie abode, and now has reached the
stature ofa perfect manhood. The five hum
BILE brethre1 Of Baltimore, who thirty two
years since, IN obsegrty and discouragement,
selecting as the talismaine name of their uD-
.ired experiment, the name of the Father of
lis country, the glorious Washington: frst
aid the corner stone in that noble structure
hat is now composed of more than one thou
'and auxiliary lodges; those humble work
nen have pussed away, yet the fruit of their
worthy labors may be seen in every hamlet in
'ur broad land, the remembrance of ftheir ex-
rtions are cherished wherever the busy STEP
# civilization lights up a pathway in the /
wilderness, or the free stars and stripes of |
ur countrys flag, float in the breeze that t
7afts our sailors TO other lands. r
The sound of their gave may have ceased,
ct its thousand echoes may be hoard from I
he Atlantic 10 the Pacific, and the peans of c
heir opening odes, are now reverberatng fl
'om Plymouth's rock to Caiforna's golden e
lnds. Wherever commerce with its busy O
'ings may fan the breeze that watts our ves- {,
ols to another hemisphere, wherever enter 81
rize or circumstances may impel our citizens OF
! the onward career of our great Nation to m
ant the gardens Of industry, and rear the Ell
IMPLIES of society. there we may find the &c
kens of our orders progress, and view the N
uits of its benefeent designs. To ono who Sc
uly estimates the objects of our order, the cl
story of It's unexampled growth affords er
uch cause Of gratitude to Him, whose all OF
eing Eye has watched over its origin and
vancement, and now forsoes its future des- CO
~. The philanthropic heart, within what es
er sect it may be found, or TO whatever uE
eed il may bo attached, must rejoice in the en-
1t, that our Order has signally illustrated W,
Q noblest virtues Of our common nature, re
d demonstra ted with so clear force. the orr
papility Of Humanity 10 rise superior to tho sir
fish clogs and bascr instincts. that in the de
yged journey of life are so often found to CO.
pede the exercise of the more generous
4 exalted faculties of our faturo wi
The present age has been truly termed an ins
Q of association. The great heart of hu- raj
nifty, enlightened and purified by the man to
d discoveries that each day are added to ito
common treasury of knowledge from the its
tivatod intellect Of the age, beats now lei,
h freer and more vigorous pulsations in of
npathy with every scheme that conter- ma
ties the ameioration Of tho common broth yor
ood of man. The shackles of selfish big ]
Y, and partizan intolerance that in tho ages var
{ have held dominion over tho human soul, bee
Q yielded. as the march Of Time has sha. per
the hoary fabrics Of governmental and su- ]
stitious despotism in which the scourgers and
he race have fortified their power. En- san
'cbised from tho vassalage in which the hsv