Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1872-01-14
Grafton Of Hon. John B. FELTON, before
the Cel0Fed MasOns.
REMARKS OF PETER ANDERSON,
81 M. w. G. NJ.
The Festival Of st. John. the Evangelist


by the Conventional Independent
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons of California, in Pacific Hall,
Bush street.
The hall was handsomely decorated
for the occasion, with wreaths and ever
green's. The emblems of the order were
on the stage appropriately arranged.
The Grand and Subordinate Lodges
entered the hall about $50 o'clock.
They made q fine appearance in their
new Regalia.
The Orator Of the Day,
HON. JOHN B. FELTON,,
was then conducted on the stage, and
was introduced to the Most Worship
full Grand Master. He was received
with Grand honors.
After prelude by the Band the In
vocation was given by Rev. VIM. B.
Smith, Grand Chaplain. This was
followed by q Masonic Ode by the
Brethren, arranged by VIM. h. Blake,
Grand Organist.
PETER ANDERSON, NJ. ". G. NJ.
then delivered the following
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.
Ladies and Gentlemen and Brethren: We
have assembled on this occasion as mem
bers of a Universal Masonic Brotherhood,
to celebrate the anniversary of our patron
saint, st. John the Evangelist.
We appear here in all the insignia of our
Order to remind the profane world that We
in common with all other Masons celebrate
and will continue to celebrate the fast day
of st. John the Evangelist and St. John
the Baptist on the oath of June. The his
tory of those two devines is so closely
connected with each other, that the Masons
who celebrate the one day are reminded
constantly Of the other. While the one is
revered for his great piety the other is re-
spected on account of his great learning
But will make my remarks brief, leav-
ing ADLER gentlemen than myself to ad-
dress you. 1t became the duty of the
gentlemen who compose our Committee of
to select gentleman well
known for his legal attainments, distin-
guished for his hberality, and respected
by this Grand Lodge for his manly indie |
pendence in accepting without hesitation |
he offer to address this branch of our Or
Ter. Ladies and gentlemen, / now take !
pleasure in introducing to you the Hon !
John B. Fenton, the distinguished orator
If the occasion.
MR.. FELToN's oBATIoN.
Fellow citizens have been honored
With an invitation to address you tonight. |
have received from your Committee an
Eloquent and touching letter, which l will
cad to you. 1t is as follows
70 the Hon. John B. FELTON,, Past Grand
Orator of the Grand Lodge of Free and
Accepted Masons for the State of Cali
fornia.
SIR The colored Masons of this State
the city of San Francieco having re-
emily formed Grand Lodge, known as
he Independent Grand Lodge-of which
act you are doubtless aware-have re-
olved to do homage to their patron saint,
aint John the Evangelist, on the 9th day
t the month of December ensuing by a
rand public demonstration at Pacific
iall, the programme to consist of an ad-
ress, etc.
The Committee of Arrangements for
aid demonstration have authorized their
hartman, who is now before you, to en-
eavor to secure your valuable services
y the delivery of the public address on
ne above named occasion, which will
realty enhance our condition.
The Committee are fully aware that you !.
lay entertain some scruples on the sub
'ct, resulting from slavery, which feeling
My exists in America. But we do not
olicit you to fraternize with us further
IAN to deliver a public address on the =
inject of Masonry.
All over the Eastern States the recOgni-
on of colored Masons is now being dis {
used in the several Grand Lodges. +
owa has already acknowledged them, and
le Masonic Journal Of this State, in T
on the proceedings relative l,
, the formation of our Grand Lodge, has b
eclared that no distant day this State b
Iust acknowledge colored Masons as g
rothers of the mistic tie. +
Our committee, therefore, your Honor, Il
aim that in accepting our invitation you k
i'll only be further advancing the cause of o
stice and humanity, for which you have II
lligently labored. "
WILLIAM II. BLAKE, n
Chairman Committee. 81
N Francisco, November "a, 1871.
This letter explains fully the position in Y
nich 1 appear before you. 81
belong to the great body of California 9,
asons, bound by the most solemn obi a,
fiopc 70 nhox, H.; |