The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-04-23

On Monday next, Philadelphia will be the
scene Of one Of tho most Interesting ccre.
monial displays ever witnessed In this coun-
try, The occasion Ia the scmi-centennial
anniversary Of the Institution Of the ordet Of
Odd Fellowship In the United States, Thomas
wlldey and o few others having commenced
the work In Baltimore on the Goth Of April,
1910. There will be celebrations In other
places on that day, as well as In Philadel-
phia, as most Of the State and local jurisdic-
lions have taken measures to that effect, but
Ii was decided some time ago by the proper
authority that the principal demonstration
should take place In Philadelphia. This
precedence was accorded to our city, because
the Order is more numerous In Pennsylvania
than In any other State. We have not the
precise figures before us, but the numerical
strength OF the Order In Philadelphia may
be stated at nearly twenty-five thousand,
and In the State of Pennsylvania at about
sixty-fve thousand. The roll of member
ship In the whole United States numbers,
we believe, about two hundred and twenty
1--we thousand. These figures will show how
large portion OF our population Is directly
interested In the celebration to take place on
Monday. The twenty-five thousand Odd
Fellows of Philadelphia, with their families,
numbering perhaps hundred and flfty
thousand men, women, and children, en-
brace nearly one fifth Of the whole popula-
tion Of the city.
Il Is expected that tho procession and
other cercmonials will not only be on a more
extensive and expensive scale than has
marked any previous demonstration by the
Order, but that 1t will be In every way the
most imposing occasion of the kind hereto
fore seen. Representative dignitaries Of the
Order, and delegations from nearly all the
jurisdictions Of the United States, have
been for long while making preparations
TO be present, and numerous committees OF
the Order in this city have been engaged for
several months In preparing for the recep-
ton Of the large attendance Of the brethren
who will certainly be hero. The hotel ca
paclty OF Philadelphia Is likely To be taxed
to the utmost. That, however, may fail to
accommodate all, and If 1t should, the Wis
itors will have an opportunity TO test the
proyerblslly inexhaustible private hospitality
of the city of "Brotherly Love-" Our citi-
zens may expect to SEQ a large influx Of
strangers, aud strangers Of the kind that
deserve to be "taken In" In the most kindly
and hospitable sense OF that phrase; for the
membership of this Order is recruited mainly
from the thrifty, vigorous, industrial classes,
the men who make up large proportion OF
the aggregate wealth Of the United States,
the men who put intelligence and respecta-
bility into our Industrial pursuits and into
the workshops Of this country, the prudent
and thoughtful men who know that illness
and misfortune may oyertake the best, and
who wisely provide to-day for the troubles
and trials that may come upon themselves
or their families In the future.
The Order Is worthy of admiration and oil
high respect. More than a million of the
people OF the United States are under Its far.
reaching protection. The benefits Of the
Order are not confined TO the sick and dis
abled members alone. The widow and the
orphan are under its protecting care after
the husband and the father have passed
away. Nor Is its benevolence confined
strictly within the bounds OF the member
ship OF the Order. We can recall the many
occasions of severe calamity and great dis
tress that have befallen whole communities
In this and other States, wherein the funds O.
the Order have been freely dlspened In faVol
of all, and to promote the common cause o.
humanity. As to the display ltself-the as
semblage and the procession-it will be II
many respects most Interesting event.
II Is on these occasions that We are al
best able to Judge Of the social condition
the intelligent appearance, and the fin,
physiqae Of the masses Of our countrymen
for whilst this Order embraces many pro
fessional men, many In extensive business
and large wealth, 1t Is essentially made nj
OF tho men whose sole incomes are TIL
wages OF their industry, or the salaries com
manded by their ability and fidelity. l
there should happen to DO any intelllgen
foreigners In Philadelphia on Monday, the,
will have fine opportunity 10 observe tn
splendid material Of which the masses Of tn
population ofthese United States are made
Ihlladelphia Ledger.