Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-04-27

The Anniversary of the OrdeF-HOH ID
SAu.a----n~R

without the usual demonstration. COnse-
'quently Edgefeld Lodge took the initiative
in the matter, and invited a cooperative
movement on the part of the city Lodges.
The arrangements were completed in a
short time, and instead of attempting to
have day parade which would involve con-
siderable expense, it was agreed to celebrate
the occasion by night procession and an
Grafton.
Shortly after dark last evening the MEM
bers Of Edgefeld Lodge met at their hall,
and marched in procession to the Public
Square, in this city. The members of
Smiley Lodge, No. 30, met at their hall in
South Nashville, and proceeded TO Odd
Fellows Hall, on Summer street, where
Tennessee Lodge, No.. l, Trabue Lodge,
No. 10, and Aurora Lodge, No. los, and
the various members of the Encampment
joined in the procession, and marching to
the Public Square, they were met by Edge
field Lodge, and escorted over the bridge,
and through several of the principal streets
in Edgefeld, arriving ct McClure's Hall,
on Woodland street, about half past s
O'Clock.
A large number of ladies and gentlemen
had assembled in the hall before the pro-
cession arrived, and when the Order entered
the spacious building was packed to over
flowing.
The exercises at the hall opened with
music by the band. Then followed a
prayer by Rev. DR.. Wheeler. Afterward
grand chorus by the choir, which was
loudly applauded.
An address was then delivered by Col.
Il. Ii. Jones, amember of Edgefield Lodge.
We make brief synopsis Of his remarks.
He said;
1t is with a degree of dillidence, confess,
that one so young as | am in the cause for
which | stand before you as an advocate
this evening should occupy the position
co, and yet it is with higher degree of
pride when l look before me and behold
this sea of intelligent faces gathered here
this evening TO unite with us in celebrating
the ffty-third anniversary of the successful
establishment of the Independent Order Of
Odd Fellows in America. The time was
when the question would have been asked
by many if such an assemblage as this
many perhaps who would not attend such
an assemblage-whO are these Odd Eel
lows? For what purpose are they band
ed together? Are they plotting the over
throw of the government? Are they or
ganized for the disruption Of society? Are
they gathered together for the accomplish
ment ofan evil? And with fear and trem,
bling upon its throne, Tyranny would
have said: "Crush them. 1t is
dangerous to allow so large body Of men
to meet and work together in harmony.
They must, therefore, be destroyed, or a
firebrand must be thrown in their midst TO
scatter them" But it is not 80 now. Stand
ing in the glorious light of the nineteenth
century, we can do it peaceably. He ad-
verted to some of the principles on which
the order was founded for the benefit Of
those present not members of it, aud par
ticularly for the benefit Of those ladies who
might demur that their husbands were alb
sent at the lodge when they ought to be at
home. Odd Fellowship was founded on the
principle of universal brotherhood and hui
man fraternity, The organization was
originally instituted for mutual pr1tec-
ton and relief; not the protection of any
one. however, who outraged the laws
of society and moral law. Perhaps there
was no class who would more readily assist
in the execution Of punishment for crime
than the Odd Fellows. He detailed the nu-
merOUs beneiCent and other Offices which
the Order performed for the benefit ofmem-
bers or the widows and orphans of deceased
members. In this way they took off of the
community the care Of many that otherwise
the community would have to care for. He
incidentally remarked that there were some
WHO sad tnat an organization like this con-
liCted with the church. lie did not think
30. 1t was among others an instrument
in the hand Of Divine Providence TO bring
about great moral reform throughout the
land; to hasten the time when all men
would call each other brothers; when uni
versal peace would reign; and in that day
they would feel proud they had assisted in
the great WORK. The OId0T taught man he
had a living soul and in his Initiation he
was first conducted 10 the throne of Heav-
enly grace. These societies could not prop
erly be called secret societies. 1t was true
that there were some features of the organ
izati0n ina were Kept secret, but they were
kept secret because in this they Ware con
ducive to more good than they woGld other
wise be. The organization numbered
among its members some of the most in1uen
tial men In the country, therefore it was a
power for good in society, which in turn
affected the government of the country.
Odd Fellowship was a power in the right
erwise did not know what he was talking
about. There was another class who OBJ
iccted to the Order-tO secret Organiza-
tons because Of OveTweening curiosity or
bad character; some OF them probably could
not and would not be permitted to join the
Order because of their bad character. 1t
was not necessary to say more about these. |
To those who said Odd Fellows were selfish, |
t1,oir oI, H.,
circle of their own members, he would |
reply that what they did was a
benefit TO the community in general, and |
again that Odd Fellows individually did |
great deal of good outside of the order; con- |
tributed freely to charitable enteTprisesand |
paid taxes like other men. He knew that !
none Of the ladies present would ever de- !
muir if their husbands attended lodge meet |
ings instead Of remaining at home when |
they take into consideration the Christian |
character of the work which the order per- |
formed; the solemn duties its members per- |
formed and particularly the benefit |
such an organization was TO them. He |
predicted still more glorious future than |
the past had been, and said its members |
would be among the happest when they |
saw in Heaven the return of their labOrS.
After the address Of Col. Jones the choir |
again favored the audience with an anthem. |
The choir was composed of the very best |
male and female voices in the county, and |
the honors equally divided between South |
Nashville and Edgetield.
Then followed the address of Gen. James !
NJ. QUaIleS, the orator of the evening. |
Want of time and space prevents US from !
giving the address Of Gen. Quarles in full. !
1t was claste in language, choice in diction, |
and aboUnded in SMILES that were beauti- |
full and elegant.
1t might safely be assumed, he said, that |
in no age Cf the world had a government |
existed so perfect in theory and practice as |
to reach the mUltiform social necessities of !
its people. Indeed in the very nature of |
things this was impracticable because those |
civil governments which Appropriated !
nearest to perfection could only lay down a |
system Of general rules for the protection of |
life, liberty aid property, and the specific |
under such systems were for the |
most part penal in their character |
and neccSSari' restricted to the suppression |
of the major evils incident to our civil and |
social relations, leaving countless others TO |
the guardianship of the moral sense of the |
people themselves. The inequality be- |
tween knowledge and ignorance, wealth |
and poverty, virtue and vice, the ills at |
-. ,r,,,,, tho acnirafiouC of iDor1iDo4a