Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-23
THEIR OWN TONGUE.
GERMAN PYTHiANs STILL OBJECT TO
USING THE ENGLISH RITUALS.
rbev Ask tho support Of All virginis
Lodges In Their frotest-To sue
coed Colonel Mutton.

tort At the next meeting Of the Supreme
odoe 10 get that body 20 rescind its ac-
ton of last year in restricting the printing
of the ritual 10 the English language.
Germania Lodge, No. Is. of Richmond,
il taking an especially deep interest IN
the matter and has set TO work TO crys-
tallize q sentiment among Virginia Py-
thians in favor of allowing German iocges
10 use rituals printed IN their own tongue.
AS an evidence of how the substitu-
ton of the English for tho German
ritual operates IN lodges where the latter
has been in use for years recent occur
renee at Germanla Lodge may be clteu:
There we're several candidates at the last
meeting on whom degrees were TO nave
been conferred but tho officers OF the
lodge. who have always conducted these
proceedings in German. speak SUCH broken
English that the work had TO be postponed
until some future meeting Wnen an En.-
disappearing degree team will DO present
UNITE IN THE PROTEST.
Germania Lodge has just issued circu-
lar-letter to the lodges throughout the
State calling attention 10 the protest hled
Mt the last meeting of the Supreme Lodge
by representatives from Illinois. Texas.
Indian Territory. New York. New jersey,
PENNSYLVANIA, Kansas, LOUISIANA, District
of Columbia, Maryland. and Delaware.
These States declared the action OF the
Supreme Lodge in refusing 10 permit the
publication of the new ritual In any otner
than the English language gross injustice
TO the foreign born brothers who nave
been permitted to confer the ranks In their
own language, especially to the German
and Scandinavian working lodges, VINO
form so large proportion OF the member
ship of the order.
HISTORY OF GERMAEIA.
In their circular the officers of Germania
Lodge present the following facts:
That at the earnest solicitation OF
Grand Chancellor William II. Wade. who
personally urged the German members OF
the English-speaking lodges to form aGer--
man lodge. our lodge was organized and
started into existence in this city on Sep
TENDER 10. 1870; that the Grand Lodge OF
Virginia and the Supreme Lodge OF the
world supplied us with our charter, Ger
man rituals, question and installation
books, odes. &C.. for which Getmanla
Lodge paid all charges That our lodge has
worked strictly in accordance with all the
requirements of the order, continlng our
selves, according to our bylaws approved
by our Grand Lodge. 10 accepting only
such members as understood the German
-.
say that the most friendly and brotherly
feeling has always existed between US and
our English-s speaking sister lodges. what
matters It in what language we speak so
long as good results follOw2 None should
complain. This order never was intended
for an American loyal union league; ITS
rise and progress Is due TO the principle OF
friendship as exhibited by Damon and
Pythias. extending to the tour corners OF
the earth.
Now. after complying cheerfully with
all the demands made on us, the Supreme
Lodge has seen ft by majority of A
representatives and SupTeme-LOdge OFF,
GERS to 81 representatives TO adopt, IN
hasty and Ill-consldered action. a law re-
calling the privileges granted this lodge by
the Grand Lodge nearly twenty-three
wears ago, and also reversing Its own for
mer action on this subject by a retroactive
law. If this law is carried OUT
then time should be granted us to adjust
ourselves TO its requirements. otherwise
the same will injure Germanla Lodge and
deprive 1t of its usefulness 10 this order.
Therefore. we enter our solemn protest
against the aforesaid action and beg our
sister lodges IN Virginia for their moral aid
and support TO join Us IN saying that they
believe in justice and fair dealing, and do
not approve a wrong, even be 10 10 one OF
It's uiOHb IullADlC AhNAhONAos
TIE VACANT vICE-CHANcELLoRsHIP.
The vacancy in the office OF Grand Vice
Chancellor, occasioned by the death q
little more than O month ago Of Colonel
Joseph A. Mutton. of Winchester. has not
yet been filled. Among those who Will in
ell probability aspire to this office are
several who have been prominent IN the
order for a number of years. The honor
will most likely fall to Richmonder;
There are any number who would fill
worthily the place: n. b. Grooms. Il. A.
Hughes. w. =. Woodson. Robert n. Smith,
George G. Ruskell, III. w. Furcron, L. r.
Hulce. j.. X. Sheppard, 2. A. Arthur, Dr..
T.. T. Baker. Charles II. Epps. and others.
Or. if the Office should 90 to Manchester,
the mantle might well fall upon the Shout
ders of Mayor Maurice. "ParsOn" Lith-
Cow, or any one Of half dozen or more
prominent Knights in that city.
TRUE TO THE CAUSE.
Colonel Mutton was an ardent Pythian
and was universally popular In the order
| throughout the State. He was a born SOL
der, served his country with distinction,
and his heart was loyal TO the southern
cause. In q speech on one occasion. when
an Office had been rendered him, some one
| iocularly said: Joe. you can have the
Office provided you will agree 10 never
again mention the names of Lee, Jackson,
or Stuart so long rs YOU i've" In an in
slant the fire Of the old soldier was kindled
anew and. drawing himself up IN the most
| soldierly and defiant manner, he replied :
"Slr, would not have the governorship
! of Virginia under those conditions" When
! the recent convention of the Grand Lodge
of Pythans was in session here and just on
| the eve Of its close Colonel Mutton obtain
| Ell the floor and delivered most graceful
| and well ed sDepch
ONE OF HIS LAST SPEECHES.
He said the Grand Lodge had seen fit
| honor him with the second Office IN il
! gift and he desired TO assure them tina
| his appreciation of the Office meant more
| than he could by mere words express.
" Brothers." SAID he. I'VE are now on the
! verge of d new era IN Pythian history. Be
/ fore tho going down of the sun the ma
| iority OF us will be on our way TO our
homes. Those who dwell in the valleys
will 20 10 the broad fields and placid
streams; those of you who came from the
hills and dales will seek again your peace
! full abodes. and to the snOw-capped Blue
! Ridge Mountains will 60 those rugged and
| hardy men with whom it has been our
pleasure to associate. Back to the old
! town Of Winchester, back TO my home,
my freside. and buck TO my friends
l 90 with the knowledge of your re,