The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-06-29


ton informs us, that wherever a mason may
travel-east, west, north south-among all
nations and races, he can find q brother to well
come him. Nations 60 to war, races hate each
other, sects quarrel masonry seems to be ~ fit
ted to our nature and society, that it always has
a secret niche in its temple for friendship and
brotherly love. 1t would appear that God has
so dotted the earth with lodges, and made ma
sonic signs so general, that he who has once seen
the mysteries can find them everywhere.
A mason travelling in foreign lands and among
strangers, sick, penniless tired, hungry and
thirty, can never fail to find brother to welcome
him and supply his wants. He cannot, II ne
would, geographically speaking, get out OF the
charmed circle touched by its two parallels
1t is when, by chance or misfortune, one broth
err calls upon another he expects some word or
sign of welcome. When you are specially invit-
ed, it would appear paradoxical to give you a
formal reception. In saluting you here to-day IT
is not SO. Although your our invited guests,
few words of recognition may be taken as
significant of that universal greeting a mason
always meets with.
But will not keep you standing and waiting
on the door steps. Walk in, and after we have
some delightful music, Sir Knight TIFFANY, the
orator of the occasion, will serve up that social
and intellectual repast for which all our hearts
are beating and our minds are thirsting.
After this greeting, and music by tn. Joliet
Band, followed the address of r. w. and Rev. o.
IL. TIFFANY, which was an intellectual feast
indeed, in fuller sense than Mr.. Avery had
promised. We never heard an address on sim
liar occasion that was its equal. 1t was eloquent
in style, lofty in northumberland. Our only
regret Is, that thus far we have been unable to
procuro n cnry for Nh b1;oa+;op
The benediction pronounced by Rev. Bro. J.
A. GRAY, ended the exercises at the grove, when
the procession was reformed, marched back to
tho city and disbanded II fG
Supper was prepared by the ladies of the Epis-
copal Church at the Court House, and thither
most of the Masons, on invitation of their breth.
rem of the city, repaired to partake of their even
ing meal. Of this supper, also, we must let our
brothers of Wilmington speak. 1T is needless,
he says, "to describe it. 1t seems as though no
thing that covld contribute to the welfare OF
comfort of the tired and weary craftsmen had
been left unprovided. The vast assembly were
waited upon by bountiful and generous hands
Besides the regular supper, ice cream, striwber.
ries cake, lemonade, DC, were served at the
Court House during all the evening, and indeed
until the departure of the trains after midnight
At Washington Hall the Company was enter.
tanned in the evening by splendid concert, Civ.
en- by the Great Western Band Of Chicago
which was heard by full and delighted house,
| and at its close the hall was cleared, and many
visitors and citizens joined in the social dance
| until the gaietes were broken up by the arrival
of the night trains, on which most of the visit.
ing brethren returned to their homes.
All in all, we think the fraternity of Ottawa
have right to feel proud of the success of their
celebration. We know they spared neither labor
or expense to make it successful and we believe
the community generally, and the visiting breth.
rem in particular, unanimously are agreed that
their highest anticipations were realized.