The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-03-06
ODD FELLOWS TEMPLE.

Austin should neglect no legitimate |
opportunity to fasten here in her |
midst all such enterprises as the one
described in our caption line. The
Independent Order of Odd Fellows is
not only one of the most powerful of
earthly societies, but it is one of the
most active, useful, charitable, in
telligent and necessary combinations
of men known to the age IN which
we live. Its principles closely resem-
BILE those of masonry, glorious in all
the ages which stretch between Solo
mons day and the busy, active present.
In Texas the order is very strong. Its
destinies are controlled by men of ex-
allied character, great usefulness and
of the very higest social distinction.
1t would be an honor of no ordinary
character to any city where they con-
clude to build the permanent roof
tree of this vast body of the elite of
the citizenship of Texas. 1t is well
understood fact that large majority
of the order is in favor of locating
their temple in the beautiful city of
Austin. All that is needed is for us
to contribute a respectable sum TO-
ward its erection, as other places have
offered. 1t is the deliberate opinion of
many illustrious members of the Or
der, and some, too, in high authority
1 HI oh aCtnaT1o fhnn0 that ton
or fifteen Thousand dollars raised by
the citizens of Austin would insure
its location here. Let US see if it will
not pay to do that.
two hundred and seventy-feur square
miles of territory we have now two
millions of people. In twenty years
we will have seven, and we have an
ultimate capacity for eighteen mill
lions. When we have our new state
house completed a bond of eternal
union will have been consummated
Aside from the great natural pride
all Texans, native or naturaliZed. fee
in its vast proportions, beautiful to-
biography and incalculable richness
the fact that we have a state capitol
ranking first after the national capitol
at Washington, will constitute an
other indissoluble bond of union be
tween the widely separated sections Of
Texas. Necessarily there must be
gathered at this point in the future
very many buildings eff the character
of the proposed temple. The politica
capital of great state, situated as
1--WE are here, can very easily be made
it's social capital as well. There Car
be gathered here with greater pro
priety than anywhere else in the
state, all the headquarters of the be-
nevolent, literary and similar combi
nations. TIE I'd Zion this will make
10 ne architectural pretensiU4As "a th
place, its beauty and grandeur will bt
very important, and it Will add won
dertlllly to the real values Of
Austin also. In the light of this rea
sonable reflection is it not then thu
very soundest policy for US to at once
raise the sum required and place thu
affair beyond peradventure ?
Tho great consideration in this cas-
will be promptness. What we do lei
it be done promptly and without un
necessary delay. Let us avail our
selves of the known preference TO.
Austin, which is felt by the leading
influences in the order. Let us NEE
them in spirit of liberal candoI
worthy alike of them and of us
Austin is destined to become the resi-
dence city of the state. It's beautiful
topography, its hill and dale, beautiful
natural forests, its healthful climate
its abundant supply of the puras
water, are one and all of them advan
tages which the noble order of which
we are writing will want to avail
4 itself in fixing its base of operations
Fixed at this point and we add mate
rally to the better and more intelli
gent population of the city and there
by increase the social distinction O.
the capital city. We beg our people
to turn thtse considerations over il
their min S to the end that some eff
cient action may be the speedy result
We daily with our gravest interests
every M nent we delay its considera
ton.