The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-05-01
ODD FELLOWS CELEBRATION

The Odd Fellows IN the jurisdiction OF
the Grand Lodge Of the Indcpend
Order of Odd Fellows, for Oregon, aud
Washington and Idaho Territories, celc.
bia'ed, in this city on Monday, the semi
centennial or ffiieih anniversary of the
introduction Of the order into America
Almost every lodge in the jurisdition was
represented. The celebration consisted
Of procession, oration, picnic dinner,
aud 4 reception at the Odd Fellows Hall
in the evening. The Attendance, though
large, would have been much larger had
il been certainly known that the steamer
Continental from San francisco. on board
of which was Hon. Nathan Porter, the
orator, would have arrived in time TO al.
low that gentleman to reach this city by
the time set for the celebration. The
procession formed on Commercial street,
with its left resting on Griswold's block.
There were in the line between six and
seven hundred members wearing rcgalias.
The procession was led by the Mechan.
ic's Brass Baud Of Portland, after which
followed the lodges in the order they
were organized, beginning with that lodge
of the most recent date The subordi.
nate lodges we're followed By the Albany
Brass Baud, then came the Encampmcnt,
and finally, the RightwoTthy Grand Lodge.
Prominent IN the procession was 4 large
car, drawn by four horses On tho plat.
form Of the car tent Of purple silk was
stretched, in the door of which "a, z. G.
p, b. 5. Schwatka, the oldest Odd Eel.
low west Of the Rocky Mountains, who
was dressed in magnificent regalia, and
supported on either hand by members oFthe
the Enclmpment The procession marched
mp Commercial street to State, up State Il
High to Center, along Center 10 Liberty,
down Liberty to Marion, aud along Mari
on TO Marion Square. where u stand and
seats had been arranged for the oratioD
The exercises were commenced by az
overture By the Mechanics band. when
the opening ode was sung by the wholt
order TO the good old tune of GrccnviIIe
Prayer was offered By Rev. p. s. Knight
tho Chaplain, after which Hon. Naihar
Porter delivered the Grafton, which wa
highly commended by all who heard it,
The orator logan by giving short his,o
ry OF the order, from its rise in Englanc
TO It's introduction into America, Git,
years ago lie then recounicd how, u
that reriod, many radical changes were
made in tho objects of the order by which
it became tho first temperance orgnniza
ton in the land, and one eminent for il
morality. The latter part of the orasiol
was devoted to the statistics of the order
in America, and TO explaining the cardi
nal virtues taught aud practiced by IL
members. Before the speaker closed h
became so hoarse that he could with diff
Guilty be heard nor was this strange, a
he, within few minutes after landing il
Portland, got into buggy and rode
greater part of The night, and then speak
ing in the open air with scarcely an hour
rest. After the Grafton the members o
the order repaired to tho tables and par
took of bountiful repast, spread unde
the the thick shade Of the trees. The ia
bles were arranged in the finest style @
any We have ever seen for a like occasion
After dinner the procession reformed m,
and marched back to the Odd Fellows Ha
were :hcn disbanded until evening, wher
they either attended the ball or spent III
evening hours in pleasant reunion
Altogether, the celebration was the mos
pleasant affair of the kind ever had in th
State. SdLenl Cnionist