The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-02-10
The lG1nurrat.
rHr MASONIC BANQUET.
Eagle Lodge 4S1, OF Free and Accepted Ma
aOnn

day evening last at the st. Cloud Hotel,
followed by music and dancing until two
o'clock in the morning. Over two hun
dred and fifty partcok Of the repast, the
tables of the spacious dining room being
twice filed,
After the repast and before clearing
the tables, ex Judge Underhill, as Wor'
shipfu Master, called to order and an
nounced the toasts. Eagle Lodge 43l,"
To this DR.. Lew. Slusser, in few snita-
BILE remarks, responded as follows;
MOST WorsHIPFUL MASTER, LADIES AND
GRNTLRMEN-ApOlogies are the fashion
upon occasions like this. We're | to at.
tempt response to the sentiment just
read, without apologizinG for want oftime
to prepare, would not be in the fashion,
as you will observe before the literary ex-
ercises Of the evening are closed. But,
sin honor bright" as Ingersoll would say,
l am not prepared, either in head or
pocket, (referring to the instance where a
speaker, forgetting his speech, remarked
that if he "didn't have it in his head, he
had it in his pocket" at the same time
drawing out his manuscript to give any
thing like an exact statistical report of
Eagle Lodge No. 43l. 1t was only a few
hours since that l received notice of my
appointment to respond to the toast just
read, and as have not had an oppOr-
tunity to consult the archives of the
Lodge, l can only from memory give you
an approximation.
Eagle Lodge was incorporated about
ten years ago. The considerations
prompting its organization, were the in.
Creasing population of our city, and the
apparent demand for an enlargement of
the sphere of Masonry. Seventy or
more have been initiated. The charter
members are yet all living with the ex-
Ception of Bro. Shane. 1 might dwell
at length on the beauties Of Masonry,
and relate some interesting incidents of
its advantages which came under my OBJ.
Bervation during the civil war; but there
are other brethren appointed to follow
me who have better wind, and l know
the crowd are impatient to engage in the
dance.
"The Press" was responded to by A.
McGregor. He referred to the Press
and "The Ladies" as standing subjects
for such festive occasions. He referred
to the readiness with which the powers
Of the earth paid homage and honors to
the Press. In the recent trip Of the Ohio
Editorial Association east, the railway
kings welcomed them as free guests, and
the notabilities Of Baltimore and Wash
ington paid them great attention and
showed them round. At Washington
they were received and honored by the
highest in authority in grand public
reception.
Crowned heads Of Europe even pay
attention to the press-if not by a CEN
sor, with detachment armed with guns
and bayOnets. They fear free speech and
public opinion. Privileged classes are
alarmed for their privileges.
Mr.. MCGregor said, though not MEM
ber of the Order, there were points of re-
semblance between printing Office and
a Masonic lodge. In the printing office,
matters belonging to and pertaining to
the Office were not for public talk, The
entered apprentice was quickly taughtnot
to be too loose with his tongue. A fel.
low craft in distress is entitled to assist.
anCe. And in the printing press office,
as in the lodge room, there must be a
head, a master, who should be master OF
the situation, for order is heavens first
law.
The speaker we'll remembered grand
Masonic celebration in his native town
in Scotland, probably St. Johns day,
1925. The parade, display and music
deeply impressed him, 80 that he had
not forgotten the occasion. And since
he had taken them in thought to tie
land Of Robert Burns, he would close
by reciting his we'll known Masonic
song, generally the first given in his
recollection:
Adleu, a heart warm fond adieu.
The audience heartily applauded on
the conclusion of the recitation.
"The Ladies"-Was responded TO by |
Probate Judge Heldenbrand, in remarks
somewhat lengthy and discursiye. The
Judge went back to the garden of Eden,
and paraded Adam and Eve-with the
apron. We believe he also referred to |
the Ark; and we do remember he paid |
his respects to the Press, speaking of "a |
truthful, and not an untrnthful Press"
The Judge here should have quoted our |
motto.
81 Here shall the Press the peoples rights main.
tain,
UnSwed by influence and unbribed gain;
Here patriot truth, her glorious precepts draw,
Pledged to religion, liberty and law"
Cheap is the blowing Of that pay. triot who
HOIds TO his office thro. venal crew.
Resorts to tricks and many a scheming plan,
Unworthy freeman aud the rights Of man.
Equality Of rights the rule Is here,
And hence "rOtatOu" strikes the freemen's ear;
No privileged olaRs, like British lords, have we,
and hence, the people ballot aud decreei
IT'S true, at times, conntVing may succeed
But then at last, the people will give heed
And let our wouldsbe rulers underBtand
The people free, shall rule this noble landi
sour Host"--Mr. R. A. Cassiday hap
PLY responded to. He played on "Our
host" being hard to locate, &c; referred
to Judge Heldenbrand's ignorance Of the
Scriptures, and made some good hits