The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-11

THE GRAND Masters GRAFTON.
When the reading of the list had been
concluded the grand master adjusted the
box and sealed il. Chairman Askew then
stepped to the T ont of the platform, and in
( a neat speech introduced Grand Master
Russell, VINO was the orator Of the occasion.
The grand masters speech commanded
the closest attention. Mr.. Russell
said that here in Savannah, rich in
historic interest, rich in its great
names, and rich in its illustrious living, be
had been called to speak upon an
occasion which win ever be bis
toric in Odd Fellowship in Geor-
gia. He congratulated the Savannah lodges
upon the pluck and enterprise and unpar-
alleled energy which they have exhibited.
Although coming from distant part Of the
state, he felt that he was no stranger here.
| I'm this historic spot, which Pulaski sancti.
fed: which is enriched by the blood Of
Jasper; here where Oglethorpe first
landed, and where it has been uni
versally admitted that the chivalry
| of Ge rgia has resided, and the beauty
and queenliness of its matrons have found
their loftiest publications. said
that he felt it impossible TO be stranger.
He came TO the Odd Fellows here to bear
them the news from North Georges widest
recesses-the news that Odd Fellowship
there, as elsewhere, is up, alive,
energetic, aud abreast OF tAe times.
| In Savannah he claimed
common heritage, and he cast himself
! upon the good graces aud the chiValry of
| the noble citizens with safety, and he could
appeal with utmost complacency TO the
graces of the ladies. because he never saw a
| lady but who liked an Odd Fellow. and he
was odd in the double sense.
THE PRINCIPLES OF ODD FELLOWSHIP.
The grand master took up the
cardinal principles of odd fellow
ship. The three links, he said,
| form a chain that binds tue brotherhood
together II Is often said by some people
| that Odd Fellowship is a secret order. and
that in these DAYS they have no concern
with such Institutions. There are no secrets
in Odd Fellowship, the speaker said, only
sucn as will enable brother to
know an impostor. 1t teaches no
lessons but such as are worthy TO
be learned. The grand master related
q story of philosopher who discovered,
as he was coming down hill, rickety
building that was used as a lanyard, and
the tanner advertised his business by stick
ing a cows tail through knot hole in the
upper part Of the building. The philoso-
pher ruminated: "Well, great Jehosophat
| am q philosopher can tell how the sun,
moon and stars make their daily revolutions.
| understand how little butterflies make
butter, and little horsefies make horses,
but don't understand how that COW could
have gotten through. that hole and couldn't
pull her tail after herr The trouble was,
said the grand master, the philosopher was
on the outside So with the world
when it calls Odd Fellowship a farce;
it is not on the inside. II 1t was
it would see that the cows tail
had no bovine attachment, but was a mere
sign Of the business which was carried on.
A DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTION.
The grand master said that ne loves Odd
Fellowship because it is the most democratic
order with which he is acquainted 1t
teaches that great doctrine that goodness is
greatness in Itself. 1t rests not in externals
nor derives its worth from gorgeous dis
play. Its foundation is honesty and it
rears its btowers upward to the skies.
IL is that which will make one call ano her
a brother no matter what his condition
in life may be- 1t lays its foundation in
the soul. 81 love it. he said, because it
brings together every trade and class, and
obliterates social distinction. When the
lodge room is open it YIELDS all together in
a common fellowship"
AS an Odd Fellow, the grand master
said that he was proud of the Savannah
lodges Their enterprise is unparalleled.
Their thrift in rebuilding their hall is re-
markabie. Before the ashes had cooled on
the spot where the burned building stood,
when others would have sold the lot and
given up the undertaking, the lodges pre-
pared to build better structure tnan the
one destroyed Let it rise, he said,
to the skies and kiss them. As
Tyhee light rises to welcome the
returning mariner from distant seas, 80
may the Odd Fellows building rising in its
fair proportions, in the historic city des-
tined vet TO be greater and grander with ap-
preaching years, until it shall be the metrop-
oils, not only of Georgia, but of the south
--let this temple, rising here, burdene1 with
labor for humanity, forever welcome in
friendship, love and truth the oppressed
and friendless and the virtuous of all classes
and condi ions of life.
Odd Fellows will look upon this day, the
grand master said in concluding, with
congratulation and pride.
THE CONCLUDING CEREMONY.
The grand chaplain tlen invoked the
blessing of the Divine Spirit. The line of
march was taken up, and, after escort
ing DeKalb Lodge to its hall, the
other lodges marched to their quarters at
Trinity C urch and disbanded.
A party Of thirty was formed last night,
and Grand Master Russell was taken TO
Thunderbolt, where an oyster roast was
served Mr. Russell will remain in the
city to-day, aud will be shown the points of
interest. The grand master is less than 80
years of age, and good many of the older
Odd Fellows were surprised to see so young
a man at the head of the order
The new building will be completed in
June, and the third Wednesday in August
the grand lodge will meet here in its annual
convention, at which time the building will
be dedicated.
THE HUSSARS' BAZAAR.