Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-09-20

OnD-FEtLowsuIr.-The Grand Lodge of the
United States, Independent Order Of Odd Fell
lows. commenced its annual session in Baltimore
on Monday. Notwithstanding the absence Of
the Representatives Of the seeded States,
quorum was present and the Grand Lodge or
gauzed as usual Kentucky, Missouri, Della
ware, Maryland and the District of Columbia
were fully represented. In view of the present
state of affairs, not much legislative business
will be done, the members generally cvincing
disposition TO coniino their action to necessary
matters more exclusively. James L.. Ridgely,
ESQ, the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge,
III his report thus aludes to the absence Of the
southern representatives,
The Most Worthy Grand Sire of the Order,
Robert Il. Boyston, OF South Carolina, whom it
was your pleasure by your suffrage at the last
session to honor for his long, valuable and emf
nent service, not less .han for his distinguished
ability and private virtues. is not here TO grace
hls nigh chair of 0tice-that seat, hOnored by
long list of his predecessors whose admiustra-
tion has cOnsecrated their names and memory to
our best affections, has been occupied by few
equal to him, ami by none superior in ability
II is to-day, under the Constitution, by reason
/ - "i' N"nNheNt HNlu ~ hbiiu( DGpul1
Sire.
The Il. w. Grand Marshal, Bro. L. d. Farms
worth, Of Tennessee, is not found in his place,
ma the voice OF Virgin South Carolina, North
Carolina, Georgia. Alabama, Mississippi, Louis
lana, Texas, Florida, Arkansas, and Tennessee,
which We have heen for so many years accustom-
ed to hear within these walls, participating in
our counsels enlightening, insuucting, and
anlmating Us by their experience, is not now
heard and will bn hpurI del 1bpro-
tions. The seats which the Representatives Of
these jurisdictions in our brotherhood were won't
to occupy are not now occupied, aud when the
Recording Secretary shall call the roll from timo
10 time, bis familiar voice will not he heard by
our brethren from the South, nor will there
come up any response from their vacant places.
We shall not grasp their hands in friendship,
nor read their inward joy, as it sparkles from
the eye, when friends and brothers meet. We
shall not mingle with them in committee labor,
nor measure lances with them in the arena Of
debate as heretofore. Why this spectacle |
dare not trust myself to answer, however pru-
dent and choice may be the language employed,
or however pure the motive, lest the answer
should offend that c0nsecrated law of our Ritual,
which, ignoring with vestal honor, " the decisions
lm ciassifcIiions IF human society, stmhOasiy
droids all abhHH9 nm systems gf tdM or sect,
Wheiher religious or pDkhcak" The answer leaps,
nevertheless, Spontaneously from our saddened
hearts, and invokes US 10 measure up in this
crisis, to the full stan lard Of odd Fellowship -
on, Representatives, are the great heart Of that
orier--" from you, her lile-hlUod passes into all
her veins" lu the language of one uf our
distinguished and evcr-b beloved PatIarchs, "You
are the watchmcn on her towers, the rulers in
her palaces" Her destiny is with you. Her
fortunes are in your hands. God giant that her
unity, her prosperity aud her perptuity may
come forth from your counaels, strengthened
and assured 10y the light OF wisdom, Ottempered
and chastened by the broad spirit of Brolherly
! Love"