Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1865-09-30
Grand Odd Fellows Procession.


The largest demonstration of Odd Fell
lows ever witnessed in this country, came
off in Baltimore, on Wednesday the 20th
instant, on the occasion of the dedication
of the Wildey Monument. Some fifteen
Thousand Odd Fellows were in process
sion, presenting magnificent spectacle.
Every State in the Union was represent
ed. At night grand Ovation took place,
given 10 the fraternity by the citizens OF
Baltimore. John w. Garrett. ESQ.,,
President of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road, presided. and made an eloquent adj
dress on the occasion. The following
are few extracts, which will be read
with inieres, -
Our community has been especially
gra,ified by that portion of the proceed
ings connected with the dedication of the
. noble rcnotsph Of Thomas Wildey--s
man who for nearly half century labor
ed in the paths of charity, friendship and
} philanlhrophv as a citizen OF Ballimore,
yet, with wide and comprehensive views,
leaving behind him great work Of be-
nevoence, which will perpetuate his
name and fame in all future time. As
the father and founder of American Odd
Fellowship he is 10 be appreciated as a
friend of mankind. He presented an ex-
ample OF unselhsh devotion TO the inter.
esrs of the poor and the helpless, and OF
anxiety for the progress Of education, hu-
manily and benevolence among the mas
ses, continuously through his long and
useful life; and we find springing from
his efforts society which has, since the
year 1929. gathered within its folds near
Ily half million of members, with rev.
enue during that period Of more than
$40, 900. .o00-a large portion OF which
has been dispensed for the relief of the
sick, the burial of The dead, and the edu'
cation Of the orphan. We find that these
funds have relieved more than 100000
persons, and more than $1,000 widowed
families.
But, my friends, have said that this is
a most marked aud interesting occasion.
Under any circumstances convention,
Representing citizens of each Stale Of this
wide spread Union, must necessarily be
of commanding importance, but when, az
ter the terrible chasm Of more than four
years of carnage and war, we find repre-.
senlanves from every State of this Union
gathered in bonds OF fraternity, We have a
sublime subject to contemplate subject
Of dee per and more comprehensive signif-
icance than has heretofore been presented
in oar history.
i When we reflect that but recently more
than million and half OF our fellow.
citizens and brethren were in arms, wa
ging the mos, terrific civil conflict which
The world has ever seen, we must feel on
such an occasion as this that our country,
still beloved of Heaven, is 10 be restored
to state OF peace and smity and concord
by paths pointed oul by the very finger
Of God. How grand this spectacle, that
a society formed ~ the interests Of the
human race, band Of brothers in pbilan.
,hrophy, Oving one another, devoted 10
the relief Of the widows Of depsr ted
brothers, devoted TO the education Of their
orphans, ministers 10 the sick, friends Of
humanity, should thus give great and
glorious example TO the ministers Of re-.
ligion, to the churches Norlh and South.
Your society is ennobed as the frs, in
bands of brotherhood to clasp the hand of
fraternity, to meet in common interest and
10 throw upon the altar of our common
country yous devout and fraternal rejoic-
Iings.
have heard, amid the din and the hor.
rors of protracted war by which our city
& State have been environed and affected,
have heard in all tha, period the still
small voice of your earnest philanthropy
of the Odd Fellows Of the South tend
ing the prisoner and the sick among the
prisoners from the Norlh-aye, and oi
similar fraterna action in the North to-
wards those of the South Our faith in
man, our humanity were cheered during
those drear and gloomy days by such acts.
with the hope that the sun of fraternity
would ultimately rise and dissipate the
clouds of blood and desolation and ruin,
and that oil would be east upon the irou.
bed waters. In spirit of kindness, and
with objects only of fraternity and OF de.
vo,ion t. the interests Of our race and our
common country. may mot say that our
friends of the South, now that the war
has closed, have awaked from their delu-
sions.
In referring to the South he said
81 am grati6ed TO see their great Gener-
als and their hero,c soldiers alike remain