The New York herald., 1871-12-09
4. O. OF O. T..

Demonstration Behalf 0f suffering Hsetb-
notwithstanding Display Of OratOry, Music
and Charitable Feeling-The Odd Fellows
20 the Froat--S5,eccIes by Schuyler COifnx.
=. s- Cox, X. =. Ralphs and Others.
The Cooper Institute was bat thiniy at-
tended last evening, the occasion being o
charitable and fraternal demonstration Of the
Independent Order or ODD Fellows under
the auspices or Americes Lodge No. 272, Of this
city, IN aid OF the Chicago and Western sufferers.
The audience was largely composed OF ladies'
aud altogether the assemblage was very renned and
Thoroughly appreciated the excellent entertainments
provided for an object that mcrted the substantial
recognition which 1t received Aside from the
national banner which Ornamented the platform
the hall was not decorated. Towards eight O'Clock
the auditorium began to be crowded. but It was by
no means so thr0nged as the occasion deserved
The entry or MI. Schuyler C0fax and Mr. g. 8. Cox
was the signal for prolonged applause. and shortly
afterwards oil the seats on the platform were
occupied BY distinguished memeers OF the order
Tho proceedings were agreeably commenced by the
performance OF spirited selections BY the seventh
regiment band. Mr. C0lfax occupied the chair
Mr.. E. 8. Ralphs, Grand Master, who acted as
Secretary, came forward and addressed the audi
ence. he said the object Of calling this assembage
wastw0fold, one OF which wAs to create fund for
the benefit Of the widows ana orphans of the
Americus Lodge. and also TO aid their brethren in
Chicago who suffered by the recent c0nnagration
American Odd Fellowship had already contribated
towards the snnerers over two hundred thousand
dollars. II was among the foremost eeymosenary
institutions Of the day, and had obtained prestige
which made It power in the land. The speaker
briefly reviewed the history Of the Order in America
showing that the first lodge was established in 1907
II was not however, firmly planted until 1872 when
operations In 3attn0re, Since that time the Order
mad progressed ana had extended charitable nand
nue. Of the order during the past fiscal year amounted
$aasS4ei, & ana ,ie sum paid r?s relief was
pr PRESENT aRs ysas TRs
number Of lodges was aso7, and they were increas-
Ing a. ns p9 Per Me 4Sng
relieved being 2s,a52. The number OF widowed
families relieved was 4.605. The speaker resumed
his seat amid great applause.
SPEECH or COLFAX.
Mr.. SCHUYLER COLFAx was introduced, and on
SAID he came from the national capita 70 his native
city, IN compliance with their invitation with q
work Of charity in the relief Of distress, in the
assuaglng OF human woe and the soothing OF hu.
participate in it. Il was Of tho heavens heavenly
ana not of the earth earthly. 1t lifted mankind out
Of the miserable mlre and qulcksand OF human
broad and generous phuanlhr0phy. 1t warmed
them with the inspiring sunshine OF Gods smile.
.ThOn shalt love thy nelghbor as thyself,n and it
illustrated that rule OF rulesthat duty OF duties
rule, whatsoever ye would that others should do
unto you do yc even 50 unto tnem.n They could
tion thai great calamity at Chicago, whose terrible
story echoed around the civilized world and Ged
win % soIrow ana ma symgany v6 hundred THOUSAND
homes, but on the noxt were roOness houseless,
ioodless with the chill October winds piercing
them through and through as they crowded to.
gether III the cold ana open prairie 10 which they
hadn ed for their lives. What an aggregation OF
the darkest despair, must have been crowded into
that fearful day. But. to the night OF gloomfol
the most marvellous IN its growth, OF which
history spoke, overwhelmed In night BY
for Its relief the most extraordinary ana gratifying
Ontponring OF charity witnessed during their lives,
not dMring all past eras OF modern or ancient ns,
sympathy which nad been extended to the Chicago
sufferers dwclt at some length on The characteristic
!nei, Widows and orpnaus: Ne claimed ,har ail over
o. distress ~ fcr and Ssr IT, he
not bound 10 the special Obligations they had as a
fraternity SO faithfully fulfilled since Odd Teiiow.
ship existed It's ritual had always declared fhat
there was but one natiOn--the world; but one
iamy-the human race, and that in every duty Of
II syey nysbo a ox q 81
cheerfully partIcpated in the noble work SO chaiac.
SPEECH OF Mr.. g. g. cox.
Mr.. Cox. having been introduced by the Chairman,
delivered lengthy ornlon, which, throughout was
marked by some characteristic 1ashes of nrmor,
sparkling anecdotes and pathos. Tie adverted to
the Chicago 1re having previously traced the his-
tory OF the numerous CONGREGATIONS that mad marked
the worlds progress. Mr. Cox also paid high
tribute to the Order OF Odd Fellows and nLy
eulogized the benevoence for which II was SO wen
known The speaker was warmly applauded.
aIne German SaengerDund then sang pleasing se-
lection, after which MI. Ellis delivered brief ad-
dress, IN which he alluded to some incidents oI
the Chicago fire.
The meeting then adionrnp,1.