The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-02-24
Jhe 9elnorrat,
FaAT Fr.r,vAl.-rhe festival given BY CORN

TaAr FEsrIyAL-The festival given by Corin-
THAN Lodge No. IL, A. F. and A. NJ, to the Odd
Fellows Of this city, last Wednesday night tWash-
iugson' birthday was an oecssSon of rcmarkable
pleasure to those two benevolent sosissics. In
order to inaugura.e and cultivate greater degree
of sociability between the two orders and their
families in the city. the Masonic fraternity had
previously invited the Odd Fellows aud their fam
ilics to partake Of sappcr with them in the Ma
.eaie Hall 90 shas occasion, which generous inSi-
tation the latter accepted; and the Masonic
Brethren made due preparation for the event.
Tho spacious and elegant Masonic Hall was
crowded with the members of both orders and
their families, and we never finer fiow of
genial and friendly feeling at any previous gath
ering than was there eyinced. The supper, con-
ssting Of everything ''nominated in the bond, =
. was served up in gorgeous" quantities, and was
partakeu of with zest that sufficiently attested
its excellence. Aftcr the collation. had been dis
posed of, and the assembly wese seeking FOR other
diversions and amusements. Mr.. Geo. Humphrey.
w. NJ. Of Corinthian Lodge A. L. 4 A. ~, intro
dueed to the party Mr.. James Shepherd, father of
the late Mrs. Delazon smith, which introduction
Immediately commanded the utmost order aud si-
leneo in the room. and everybody prepared TO lis
ten with deep respect and attention to Mr.. Shep-
herds remarks. Mr.. S. is probably 40 years of
age, and has been q patron of Masonry near forty
years, and his cordial endorsement of the tenets
and teachings of the Order is the highest cneo-
mium which could be given it. After he had paid
beautiful and glowing tribute to him whose
birth the s2d day of February ever brings to the
mind of the American citizen = the Father
of our Country and the defender of its liber-
fies-the one who was .'frst i'm peace. first in
war, and first in the hearts of his country -
the immortal George Washington the venerable
speaker proceeded to reEsr to the principles, OBJ
jects and aims of the two benevolent Orders rep
resented on the occasion, and spoke in happy
manner of the beneficial effects upon community
and society generally which their maintainance
and prosperity would entail. Their benevolent OBJ
jects, their social advantages and their christian
virtues were each portrayed in glowing language
by this venerable patriarch of Masonry; and
when he closed with tie feeling aud beautiful wish
that .'when the trials, troubles aud temptations
of this terrestrial lodge over, and We sum
nened by the Grand Master TO eternal refresh
altar in the Celestial Grand Lodge on High" the
gathering moisture in many eye freely attested
the happy effect of his feeling rem arks.
In response to a call from the assembly. ME. j.
+. Backens;o took the stand. and. behalf of the
Odd Fellows Of Albany, expressed his gratitude
to the "Brethren of the Mystic Tie for their
princely treatment on the occasion. and for the
spirit which animated them TO extend SO kindly an
invitatiOn TO the Odd Fellows and their families,
to come and partake of their generous hospitality.
He hoped that the social and kindly feeling that
night inausuraleI, would be the heg inning of
fr.ternal union of the two Orders in this city which
might extend to other and wider fields, and that
great good might low from this propitious begin
ming His remarks were brief but we'll chosen, and
2eft pleasing impression upon his auditors.
Specchmakins then being over, the party be-
took themselves to social conversation and other
more enlivenng amusements, and when the even
ingz festivities brought to close all sought
their homes with feryent wish that there might
be many = recurrence of the joyous and happy
event.