Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-03
ODD FELLOWS.
The Grand Celebration at Phiia
delpisia.

The Grand Celebration at Phiia
delphia.
The following, which We copy from tn
Philadelphia Post, indicates that extensive
preparations are being made for the semi
centennial celebration by the /. 0. o. +
in that city on the 10Th of April
The committees of the Grand Lodge o.
the United States and of the Grand Lodge
aud Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania
are diligently engaged in making the I'M
mense preparations required to make thiE
| grand event successful aud splendid one.
From present indications, the visitors
from other States will be in attendance in
very large numbers, should the weather
| prove favorable. Considerable trouble is
experienced by the committees having
charge of the supplying of hotel accommo-
dations on April 26, the day of celebra-
ton, and they may be compelled to request
possession of the various Odd Fellows
and other halls in the city, for the purpose
of providing sleeping apartments for the
thousands who will be in attendance.
Arrangements are being perfected with
the various railroad lines leading into
Philadelphia to get a decreased rate of
fare for those who desire to become parti-
eipants in the ceremonies. 1t is estimated
from information already received that
the procession will number between thirty
five and forty thousand persons, who, in
the beautiful regalia of the Order, and
with the instructions in relation to uni
formity of dress carefully observed, will
present grand and imposing demonstrs-
ton, such as has never been witnessed in
any of the cities Of the United States.
The greatest care will be exercised to
have sufficient and proper police arrange
ments perfected, suited to the occasion Of
80 immense gathering as will be conferred
in and upon the streets through which the
procession will pass. The indoor exercises
at the Academy of Music on the morning
ofthe day will commence about nine
O'Clock, and comprise in the programme an
overture by grand orchestra as the open
log piece. This will be followed by an
ode, composed by B. p. Shillabsr, which
will be sung to the air OF "America" by
the entire audience, assisted by chorus of
ladies and gentlemen, professional singers.
Introductory remarks ard a welcome
will be extended on behalf tie Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania through P. G.
Master John W. Stokes, which will be re-
sponded 20 by the Grand Sire Of the Grand
Lodge of the United States, Mr.. E. d.
Farnsworth. z. G. Master James L.
Ridgley, the Grand Secretary and personal
friend of the late Thomas Wildey, the
founder of the Order in the United States,
will then deliver an Grafton on the history,
mission and purposes of Odd-Fellowship.
An ode, written by P. G. E. p. Novel;,
the editor of the American Odd-FellOtg,
and get to the tune Of "0ld Hundred"
will be sung by the entire sssemblsge, after
which the services will close.to give the
officials an opportunity to take their place
in the line OF procession, which is intended
to be about halfpast eleven o'clock.
10 the evening the Academy of Music
will be used for purposes of speaking and
vocal and instrumental music, to which
of the order and their families
will be admitted without charge. The
lodges and encampments throughout the
State are making liberal donations in aid
Of the event.