The Washington bee., 1886-10-16
PHILADELPHIA ABLAZE.
THE GREAT ODD FELLOWS PARADE.
A PRIZE DRILL. TIE B ,STONIONS
WIN. SESSION OF THE B. M. C.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS. NEGRO
CONGRESSMAN AT LARGE.
PROF DAYS ADDRESS.
Especial correspondence.)

Philadelphia. Pa, Oct. 18th, 1886.
The past week may we'll be term
ed a red lettered week. But once be-
fore in its history has this city
been thronged with slarge a mum
ber of distinguish persons, drawn
from all sections of the country to
witness the bi,annual commemora.
tion of the B. NJ. c. of Odd Fellows
on Thursday the day of the parade.
Train after train was freighted
with people to witness the pageant
not less than from 10 to 15 thous.
and people were here, your city
was we'll represented by many of
its most distinguished citizens. The
parade was grand success. The
weather was propitious, neither too
warm nor too cold, everybody was
in good humor with every body
else. The procession was marshalled
by Wilson L. Underwood, assisted
by several aides, and numbered over
a thousand persons, consisting of
patriarchies, and lodges from the
far east, south, and west. After
marching over route, three miles
in length, it was finally dismissed
at Musical Fund Hall, where an
address was delivered by Prof. W.
Fl. Day OF Harrisburg, upon the
history and duty of Odd Fellow
ship.
Iu the evening the Academy of
Music, the most capacious place of
amusement we have, was throDged
with brilliant sistumes. 1t is esti-
mated that not less than five thou
sand people were within its walls.
1t is the first time in the history
of this city, that our people have
had this place. 1t was handsomely
decorated with tropical plants, the
Darquet was tioored over for dane
ing, and the stage was st to a rural
scene. In the back ground were
four tents each guarded by "a patri-
arch. This was still further enhanc-
ed by the variegated costumes of
the ladies, and the brilliant uni
forms of the patriarchs and mem.
bers OF the order.
Before the ball commenced con-
test for prize valued at 800, be.
tween the patriarchies of Boston
and New York. Tue maneL vres of
10Th elected great applause from
the assemblage present. The prize
was finally awarded by the judges
to the Boston patriarch, as being
the better drilled lodge, as we'll as
being more skillful in the maneu.
vres. This like all other affairs of a
similar character, when there is
but one that can win, awakened con-
siderable discomfort.
Tue ball proper was one of the
finest assemblages of our people
ever given in this country. Rich
silks and satins We'd with those
that wore costly laces and dia-
monds. The grand maj ch conducted
by Prof. James Augustus number
ed about 800 couples. ~-
The session of the B. NJ. G. was
brought to a close Saturday with
an election of the following Off
GERS: VIM. T. Forester of Virginia,
Grand Master; E. Morris of Chlca-
go, ILL.,, Dept. Grand Master; DR..
Bouser of Philadelphia, Pa, Grand
Secretary, and N. V. Curtis New
York, Grand Treasurer. The next
meeting of the B. M. G. will be held
in Nashville, Tenn.
The hospitality of the city was
rendered to the delegates of the
convention in we'll worded ad-
dress by Mayor Smith, and ably
responded to on the part of the del
egates by lawyer Morris of Chicago.
On Tuesday evening the house
holds of Ruth rendered a very
pleasing reception to the delegates
at Musical Fund Hall, at which
time a very handsome banner and
gridons were presented by the
ladies to Unity Lodge. Wednes-
day evening receptions were given
the visitors by the NJ. s. Away
Club, in their capacious club room.
On the same evening the Old ReIi-
able Club gave a banquet to the
visiting delegates. During the
weeks festivities not a drunken
man was to be seen among the
large number present. Saturday the
delegates wended their way home,
with pleasant recollection of the
hospitality of the city of Brotherly
Love.
The Rev. Palmer, candidate for
congressman at large, made a
pleasing impression upon the peo-
pie, in his address at the late pro-
hibition meeting held in the Acade-
my of Music Saturday night. From
the number present one would
think that the prohibition move
ment had come to stay.
The canvass has commenced to
reach that torrid state so pleasing