The Van Buren press., 1874-05-12
Address of J. P. Byers, Esq, Delivered al
the Odd Fellows Anniversary
Celebration.

At the request Of the Fraternity this
able address has been put at the service
and disposition of the Lodge. Being OF
two great length to publish entire, we
can only favor our readers with asynop-
sis and candid criticism.
No one acquainted with the difficulties
Of preparing an address for such occa
sons, will expect anything original, or
particularly striking. In this instance,
however, we must say Mr.. Byers has
very agreeably surprised us, as his ad-
dress, although following the beaten and
only track, is one Of marked ability. le
shows a huency of style and familiarity
with history. truly refreshing in this age
of shallow learning and superficial read
ing. OF course the speaker addressed
himself to an answer to the objection
urged so commeh'y against the Order
that Of secrecy. gIis manner ofhandling
this portion OF his subject was truly hap
py. Intelligent men, no longer urge this
stale and senseless objection, and it is
left the peculiar and especial stock in
trade of diminutive minds and envious
hearts. This Order, and others akin to
it, endeavor to keep out all unworthy
material, and some men, having better
opinion Of their moral worth than other
people, have tried to gain fellowship and
having sgnally failed, resort to carping
and detraction to allay the pain inflicted
on their self-estcem.
But, as said by the speaker, in spite #
all the safe guards thrown around these
institutions, and the scrupulous care with
which their doors are guarded, bal men
will get in sometimes. This affords
another shallow argument for the use Of
the profane, against the worth and use
fulness of the Order. AS well said by
Mr. Byers, the argument is equally as po-
tent and convincing against Christ's holy
church. The tares and the wheat must
grow together until the harvest. Men
do not lose their individuality or personal
responsibility by becoming members of
a church or charitable association. Nor
does the mere fact of membership make
bad men good ones. They are TO be
judged by their o,on fruits, and the Order
is not responsible.
Mr.. Byers was very happy indeed in
his vndcation of the use of emblems,
regalia, etc. True it is, as he says, we
derive our most lasting impressions from
our sense of sight But strictly lasting,
for we must not assume that the pleas
urable emotions are chiefly communica
ted by this sense, for the sense of hear
ing eomos in as 4 formidable rival, and
cannot be put off lightly. Of course the
impression spoken of was that made on
the memory, and, to certain extent, on
the Imagination Sign teaching has cer-
tainly accomplished wonders in the
mighty struggle of knowledge against
ignorance, and the point was well made
and ably elaborated.
The fundamental importance of Union
was also well urged.
Towards the conclusion Of the address,
Mr.. b. alluded to one thing that cannot
be too strenuously urged. 1t is the par
amount Importance ofpromptncss in full
filling all engagements however trihing.
No lesson is of more value, especially to
the young-and none more neglected by
parents, Children grow without being
taught the Importance OF punctualty and
undertaking fulfllment of ali promises.
They are too often taught the contrary,
by example. 1t has been said never tell
a child falsehood; you say you will
"skin him alive go and do it, if lit
makes your eyes water. The disadvan
tages Of a failure to impress upon the
mind Of youth the importance Of pune
tuality in all things, is sadly felt through
out life. A want of order, system and
promptness has been the ruin Of many
excellent men and women. We trust Mr..
BIS hearers profitel by his excellent re-
marks on this subject, and If he induced
even one to follow his advice, it was re-
ward enough for all his pains.
Altogether we feel proud to say, that
the audience were much gratfed with
the manner in which the speaker acquit
ted himself And aided by studious ap-
pleation we predict bright future for
him. The Odd Fellows of Van Buren,
Lodge, No. 6, are justly proud of their
orator, and we hope will give him other
opportunities to gratifv the public.
Is CRAWFORD BAXTER ?-The Van Bu-
ren Press claims Crawford solid for Bax
ter. A number OF prominent citizens Of
that county say that the Press represents
hut little besides the proclamation Of
Elisha Baxter making it his official organ
for that county. How is Richand town
ship, or even Van Buren itself Fort
Smith Herald
The Herald asserts what is not so. We