The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-23
Odd Fellows Celebration.

The Grand reunion of the Independ
emf Order of odd Fellows in Baltimore
the birthplace of the society, has beer
the great event Of The past week, and il
considered quite important and signiii
cant both in Il political and social poinI
of view. The Baltimore papers are fillee
with the proceedings, the speeches, cere
monies, and Il description of the grant
procession, which was two miles long
and ten thousand persons were in line,
decorated with the regalia and various
insignia of rank and grade in the Order.
There were representatives from every
State in the Union, and although the
President could not attend in person, he
sent a very kind letter, and several
members of the Cabinet participated in
the festivities. Our fellow-citizen, X.
Cook, Esq, and quitea large delegation
OF our Odd Fellows, represented Norfolk
and Portsmouth. The reunion, it is
Thought, will be productive of much
good to the Order, and exercise Il happy
influence in |harmonizing the people OF
the country, and restoring good feeling.
We extract from the Baltimore San the
following in regard to this grand convo-
cation ofthe Order:
The demonstration of the assembled
delegations of Odd Fellows in this city
yesterday, from the various States of the
Union, rose TO adignity and Importance,
which few, not fully cofnpreE,ending the
influence and the scope of the Order
had been able TO anticipate. The occa-
sion was one of great significance in the
history of the Order-the Inauguration
Of Il monument loftily reared, in the
purity of marble, and surmounted by the
typical figure of Charity, to the founder
of Odd-Fellowship in the United States.
The beniiicent principles which are set
forth as the basis of the organization are
found to have survived the surging pas
sions of The period of civil commotio,
and bIoodshed, and now at the end o
the strife, It's members from the widel,
distant sections of the country, com
| forth giving a first bright example I
| all, of whatever position, of the practi
: cahility, the utility, the duty, and TIL
beauty Of u prompt return 10 the er
of good feeling, of %brotherly affection
and true national unity.
These instincts should be common Il
all Americans, for, under their impulse
the binding up of the natiorl's wounds
and the linking againo of all its parts and
OF all its people in such indissoIuble and
lfaternal bonds, as shall ensure a future
career Of happiness and prosperity vii
hc tue speediest accomplished. itseem'
fortunate that this national assembling,
Of q heniiicent order of American citi
Gems should take place at this particnla
| time and in this central locality, on TIN
! conservative soil of Maryland. It's in
%iucuce, we should think, would be saltI
/ tiry FIR and near. \ hearty honioge
F.. ! tfotisIie5s oi :tssoctttioli, Il SYM patheti
| oneness OF spirit, and II %iiberality o
sentiment have displayed tilemselve,
here among all classes, citizens an
: 4trlnGers from every section, In connec
f ten with Tie occasion, whichi6 ii hope,
may 20 out and be dihilsed over tn,
whole country when the delegates .shai
+. return TO their homes.
President johnson was not able to be
z in attendance to take part ia the cere-
:. monies Of the unveiling of the statue oil
Charity, as he had hoped To be, in ac-
cordance with the invitation rendered
him by the Grand Lodge Of the United
States. This was u source of genuine
regret both to the Order and to the com
munity generally, and in view of The
expectations that had been excited there
was considerable disappoi ntment; but
ii was felt on all hands that the word
Of the President =" if absent, he would
be present in spiritn-were to be accept
ed rs literally true. He sent y briefano
earnest letter, showing that pressing en-
gageinents detained him at Washington
The pageant yesterday was, doubtless
The most imposing which has ever taken
place on this continent under the same
auspices. 1t occupied about one hour in
passing agiven point.