The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-09-23
THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL THURSDAY SEPTEMBER % 1875

this continent. Welcome to this capitol
city, which, with banner and music, and
better still, with throb of happy heart even
more than beat OF sounding drum, welcomes
this senate OF Odd Fellowship to her joyously
ly proffsred hospitality. Welcome To this
jurisdiction of the order, rejoicing in its own
prosperity at home, and proudly sharing IN
the prosperity of our organization in
every other region and CLINE,
where its alters has been reared.
Welcome to you az you come hitber from
the battle-felds of humanity, where you
have achieved the victories. These trophies
we hang in our halls, as the prOudest to be
seen in the brief lifetime God has given US
to use. Victories over restitution and
anguish Victories over misery and woe!
Victories at the sick-bed of the dying
brother. where you have striven to pour oil,
If possible, into the expiring lamp OF life!
Victories at the grave, where, Tor the
humblest equally with the highest, the
evergreen upon the coffin betokens our I'M
dying remembrance and regard! Victories
over the vices which would eusnare snd cor
rupt, and psrhsps destroy, the unguarded
orphans OF our departed brethreni Victo-
rieS over the demons OF want and poverty,
of loneliness and temptation. that so
where the bereaved widow pines,
Welcome from labors, and from triumphs
like these, known often only to the all see
ing eye! Welcome. In the name of friend
ship, love and truth And, with heart and
hand, with speaking lip and Deaming eye.
we exclaim with the slncerest fraternal re-
gard, welcome, thrice welcome one and all
At the conclusion of Mr.. Colfax's re-
marks,
GRAND SIRE DURHAM
came to the front. He said in substance:
For and behalf of this body, over which
have the honor of presiding, would return
to you Undressing the former speaker) sim
cere thanks for the kindness with which
you have spoken of our order. You
have committed the felony OF, as
the phrase goes, OF stealing my thunder.
1 expected you would have spoken of the re-
sources OF this great state and not speak OF
the excellent principles of our order. There
fore am compelled to use your line of ar
gufnent.
The honorable gentleman then spoke of
the wealth and prosperity OF the state of In
diana and the city of Indianapolis, claiming
that he was "balf Hoosier" himself.
Speaking of the erder of Odd Fellows
he said: We are cosmopolitan
BODY: we know no state or national lines.
We cross the national lines and snatch the
brightest jBwels from the British crown.
He closed by conplimenting the Indiana
! jurisdiction of the /. o. o. +. Alter some
/ music Dy the Dano, mr. lnOInaS Onu0rWOOO'
of Lafayette, arose in his seat and said 1t
was the desire of the lodge 10 hear from
their Grand Secretary the veteran Mr..
| Ridgeley. AS tina. venerable gentleman
advanced to the front of Inc stage the
applause became deafening, and It was
some moments before he could make him.
self heard. He said he had recently recoy-
cred from long and protrscted illness, and
was not therefore in condition to speak at
any length. He said, l return you
my sincere acknowledgements for the
| honor of this call you have made on me.
realize that it ia the devotion to the order
that you make this enthusiastic CALI 1t was
AZ years ago when became a member of the
Odd Fellows. And this is the 44th annual
session OF the Grand Lodge that God has per-
the body when it consisted Of but five MEM
| bsrs.
After the benediction which was pro-
nounced by the grand chaplain, the lodge
adjourned, and forming iuto order, again
marched TO the Grand Lodge hall.
RECEPTION AT HALL.
In the evening reception was rendered
by the local societies to Grand Secretary
Ridgely st the hall of the /. o. o. L. build
ing. The lodge was opened in regular form
alter which the CUES. OF the evening, who Is
one ofthe,oldest. and most distinguished mem
bsrs of the order was Introduced and given
the grand bonOrs, the reception speech being
| made by William Wallace. The grand sec
rotary responded briefly, after which those
present were personally presented and the
reception resolved itself into social hand
shaking and gossipy time, to the enjoy ment
of the participants.