Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-13
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been criticised 10 some instances because OF
our title, and the supposed barbarism of our
ceremonials, but every true, intelligent Red
Man takes great delight in the fact that we
are the acknowledged conservators Of the
history, of the customs, and the virtues of
the American people. Apeople conceded by
the early travellers and writers, 10
have been intelligent, brave and free,
loyal in its friendships, generous
in its Inequalities. and with many
traits of character worthy of emulation by
the civilized race. The /. o. X. Man, is
proud to perpetuate the memory of this, the
noblest type of man in his natural state,
that has ever been discovered.
Redmanship is not myth, but a subStan-
tial brotherhood of individuals whose COM
mon interests are identical, and maintained
and strengthened as We gather around our
council fire. We love it for what it is. We
are proud Of it for its past, and we hope
much for the future.
Our order teachers charity. the grandest
principle of our order, the binding link in
its motto in comparison. gems of gold are
bu. as dross to it, charity carries glad It'd
ings to the heart of the afflicted and dis
tressed She is the widows unfailing sup
port, endeavoring by kindness, beneyolence
and deeds of mercy to alleviate human suf-
fering, ia visiting the widow and fstherless
in their affiiction, gliding the palace of
death, with snolight and beauty, and at her
touch, the dreary clouds and mists of sor-
row are dispelled.
My friends, do you know of any other
order or society or church that is dom g
more to carry out that divine precept, "Do
unto others as you would that they should
do unto you" In great cardinal principles
of freedom, friendship and charity, what a
splendid trinity, brightest gems in the
coronet of all the virtues, unchallenged
title to the worlds regard, living motto of a
fraternity which has youth without feeble
ness and age with full yigor. Friendship,
mysterious cement of the soul, how it binds
man to man, brother to brother in the in-
dissoluble bonds of common sympathy,
how richly it realizes on the assets of hu-
man brotherhood, it banishcs envy, breaks
down selfish pride, destroys caste. 1t
blesses with mild beneficence, and wOos
with gentle deeds of love; it teaches
rs that no man lives unto himself that our
precious motto is sheltering tree beneath
whose branches in the cool and fragrant
shade, may gather and repose all classes and
Guy, no envy, spite, malice or hatred. II
rejoices with the successful, lsments with
the afflicted. 1t makes men better in
thought and feeling, and more generous in
action. In truth the beauty and. signiii-
canoe Of the friendship taught in our ritual
is absolutely matchiess. This great frater-
nifty which is here represented has grander
mission than is usually understood by the
I,, hoy
deeply laid in the hearts aud affections of
its members.
Among the vast organizations which mark
the closing of the 10Th century, and
which have done so much for civilization,
none holds higher or frmer position thsn
the L. 0. r. NJ. My pale face friends, we
have connected with our order si,terhood
branch called the Degree of Pocahontas.
Now, among the objects of this degree, il
for the moral advancement of the memte's
of the |. O. II. NJ, their families and lady
friends, for the promotion of social enjoy
ment among the members of this degree,
and the general welfare of the orler. in
all ages the poet has sung and the historian
has written of the influence of woman upon
the destnies of the world. Her assistance
has made success possible, when, without it,
failure was inevitable. Her refining
influences has lifted man from the
base and sordid passions inherent
to his nature, and brought him if
rot, to perfection, yet little nearer to the
divine ideal, what more appropriate than
that she should be called upon, and her in
fluential cooperation secured in an organ
zation like ours; whose mission is to visit
the sick, relieve the distre ssed, bury the
dead, and to educate the orphan. On
women falls the chief burden of sorrow,
which the trials and tribulations of the
worli visit. Like gold from the crucible,
she emerges from the sorrow, and becomes
at once. the guide and consolation of man,
guiding him to better life aud consoliDg
hin in misfortune and distress. My pale
face friends throughout this address, prom
inence has been given constantly to the
thoug ht, that our order is founded on the
customs Of the aborign, of this continent.
TIE value of the ceremonies of our order,
therefore, is their historical accura' y, they
seek not merely TO initiate but to
preserve; when the time comes that
the Indian race is extinct our or
der will occupy a place original and
unique. Could higher destiny await sny
organization; could a higher ambition in
spire its members, than to emulate the viz
tues, preserve its customs and transmit to
posterity the history of an extinct race.
Such is our destiny; such is our ambition.
| now have done.