The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-07-03
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Masonic Dedication,


ted at Millfords Mill, near the Anderson
und Ahbevillc line. At ten o'clock, the
Grand Lodge was organized by the Grand
Master, J. L. Orr, assisted by the Deputy
Grand Master, J. Townes Robertson; D..
J. Barnett, S. G.. w; J. B. Clark, ]. G. W;
IS. r. Hatnie, G. T.; NJ. Kahn; e. S.; Hugh
Wilson, S. CD; Benj. Norris, J. G. D.;
W. D. Wilkes, Grand Marshal; NJ. Prince.
Tyler; w. A. McFall and w. II. King,
G. Stewards; WE. Walters;eG. Chaplain;
J. w. Sewell, w. B. J. Barnett and J. B..
McGec, Bearers OF Corn; Wine and Oil !;
S. S. Newell, R. Z. Sadler, R. P. Phillips,
Bearers of fapers; ]. T. Miller, Pursui-
want.
There was quite large attendance of
the brethren from the Lowndesvile, An
dcrson, Abbeville, and other Lodges, who
formed procession Immediately prece-
ding the Grand 1od ge, and moved for
ward to the speakers stand, in a.bcautiful
grove adjacent which was tastefnly pre-
pared for the occasion Arriving at the
Stand, we found a large concourse of Ia
dies and gentlemen in readiness to wit
ness the interesting ceremonies of the
Dedication of a Masonic Lodge.
Immediately in front of the Grand Mas
ter, on q box, representing the Lodge,
were the Bible, square and compasses, and
other Masonic embems, while on either
side were floating to the breeze beautiful
silkcn banners, bearing the words, "Faith, !"
"Hopc," "Charity," "Wisdom," !" Beauty"
Strength" "Units-." "Frieudahip," and
facing the Grand Master, waved one with
snowy whitcncss, and an immaculate bor
der, vii Purity" in beautiful letters of
blues After the singing, the Grand Chap
lain, Rev. w. Z. Walters, made an ,appro-
priate prayer, which was followed by mu-
sic, with Il good effect, from the Rocky
River Band.
The Orator Of the day, DR.. N. J. New
ell. did himself credit for the handsome
mannerin which he delivered an excel
lent Masonic Address, which was listened
TO with marked attention by all In con-
Guiding his address, he paid the ladies q
delicate and graceful compliment.
The new Lodge, with all the Masonic
forms and ceremonies, was then "Dcdica-
ted to the memory of the Holy Saint
Johns, D and the officers Of the new Lodge
were installed as follows
N. J. Newell, W. M.; B. J. Tucker; S.
w; T.B. Milford, J. w; w. J. Milford,
Treas; Wm. Hamilton, Soc.; J. l.. McLin,
S. D.; A. J. Mckee, j. D.; w. M Hall
and S. L. Mckee, Stewards NJ. Princes.
Tilcr.
The Lodges then retired to the Lodge
Room, and were closed III due form.
As per previous announcement. by the
Grand Marshal Of the day, Col. W. d.
Wilkes, Il Pic Mic Dinner next received
the attention Of the auditory, when the
merits of an abundance OF rich viands and
excellent cakes wei e duly discussed, and
the proper action taken sin. such cases
made and provided"
After which the Rev. w. Z. Walters in
troducetl Gov. Orr, who arose and said
that the Masonic exercises had closed,
and that he appeared before the audience,
not as Mason but as the chief eXecu:
tive of the State, and as q citizen Of An
dcrson District, to give his opinions and
advice in Il few plain words In q few
brief and clear remarks he explained who
were dislranchised and gave his reasons
in a lucid anu forcblg manner fer believ-
ing it to be our duty TO register and vote
at the coming registration and election,
and held that it would be utter folly to
oppose the Contcntion when the blacks
we're so far in the majority OF whom
he believed would vote for a Convention.
He would not blame them for voting tor
it, when tibet Convention was to confer
unon them rights and privileges which
thcv had hitherto not enjoyed: BE told
the negroes that they were moro indebted
TO Providence than to either North Or
South, for their freedom. At the begin
ming OF the war, both parties rcpudiatcd
the idea of his emancipation to the brcGd-
est and fullest extent of the meaning OF
the word. But after q warfare Of three
years the Government Of the United
States came to tho conclusion that cman-
cipation would be tower cf strength to
them, and thereby produce d discordant
element in our midst; which would, to the
extent of the negroes influence, weaken
MS in the prosecution of the war. lie
Thought itl great mistake in Congress to
confer upon them the right of suffrage in
their nueducated and ignorant situation,
and believed that the right to vote should
have been withheld until they had learned
to read, that they might not abuse the
highest privilege of an American citizen.
lie was certain the State Convention
would bo held, and he feared if people
did not participate i'll tho election, that
the negroes if left alone to form Con-
stitution, wonld disfanchiso all persons
who had engaged in the late rebellion
which would put IFS in as bad n condition
as Tennessee and Missouri. ThcseStat
have Constitutions denying the right o
suffrage TO those who engaged in the re
bclion.
Col. w. D. Wilkes then followed in q
narr. nnnrnnriatn sneech. in which he oc