Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-08-29


american citizenship Who are the
foreigners OF the country as generally
accepted by everybodyf
"a certain disreputable scum from
Europe that have been dumped In upon
MS during the past twenty years. head
ed by anarchlsm, mahaism, socialism,
hoodiumlsm dead beatiam and thous-
and other isms that are being secretly
cultivated to the Disadvantage OF
our country's interests
81 have been accused OF chasing our
German brothers with the above, but
Instead have said to them: 4 want TO
help you lift yourselves entirely out
OF such an unenviabie classification by
having you indorse the English LAM
guage practice what you indorse, elim-
mate any evidence OF the foreiBnism
from your lodges ana declare TOT
standard OF measurement that will re-
oulre a reasonable understanding OF
the chosen and recognized language OF
the country in which YOU live before
comforting the right of full citizen
ship upon any man.
Having pledged our loyalty to the
deem 1t our duty, and hope II may
prove our pleasure, 10 define mat
pledge to carry with the promise 10
practice and use its chosen and selected
tongue, believing, as ! do, that no Tor
egner, however intelligent, can be-
come an AmtIlCbn CltiN0h III 10 Ahh
accepted intent until he understahds
the English language.
"In Difference to our pledge OF loyalty
| let US engraft upon our American IRA
| ternity the strong statement that we
| will uphold, sustain and advance our
country's language by hereafter issu-
ing our rituals only in English Ian
guage for use in the United states
and Dominion of Canada, coupled with
| the proyiso that France, Germany and
other lands using different language
shall be protected in the right of their
national tongue whenever 1t becomes
our pleasure to INTRODUCES our order
there. II our German brethren are un-
willing 10 subseibe to this sublime
| theory they are not the good citizens
they profess, and IL not, the sooner
we know 1t the better. Some years
ago this body granted permission to
the grand lodges to locally legislate
as they might desire upon the saloon
element question, and the eligibility OF
| owners and tenders thereof to member
| ship,
"under this permission several grand
lodges have since declared saloon-keep-
ers and bar-tenders ineligible upon the
| ground of their business engagements
having a strong tendency TO the culti-
walton of immortality. lawlessness and
| other disraputable habits In contra
| diction to the teachings Of the order.
Surprising 1t may seem to some. II Is
| nevertheless demonstrated that the
grand lodges which have taken hold
| OF this question and legislated to eN-
clude this doubtful material have not
only succeeded in securing the best
| material, but also 5tand as the most
active and progressive among tho
| grand Jurisdictions. It was the wish
OF the supreme lodge to experiment
when permission was granted grand
lodges to locally test this question
| am glad the experiment is most
satisfactory. In fact, so strongly am
convinced that the step Is one in the
interest OF law, order, morality, re-
spectability, better citizenship and a
| high knlghthood that / am constrained
to conclude that the time has come
when We, as a great fraternity should
put aside policy, expectancy or any
| other question OF doubt that may stand
In the way and declare ourselves the
leaders of reform by manfully facing
this important question and declaring
that no saloon-keeper, bartender or
professional gambler shall hereafter
be considered 40 eligible TO apply FOR
membership in any lodge of this ORDER
Many topics are discussed and recon-
mendations made concerning the work
OF the order. 1t Is recommended that
the term of officers of subordinate
lodges be one year instead of six
months and that the use Of castle
halls for burlesque aide ranks be pro-
hibited.
II is suggested that a rule be adopt
ed permitting such divisions as may
desire to exchange the sword for the
gun and thus bring the body more in
harmony with military ideas, II am
strongly OF the opinion" says the su-
preme chancellor, that n general
change from sword to gun would bring
a great revival and influx OF new
members in the military branch OF our
order. / suggest that steps be taken
to obtain the views of all the diYis-
ions upon this subject with the deter
mination that, II the majority wishes,
to make the change. l am told that
a good Springfield, such as We could
use. can be purchased in lots about
as cheap as We now have to pay for
swords, / suggest commission for
the purpose OF investigation. Should
the idea provaR suppose 1t will be
necessary to obtain consent in each
state to bear arms as body"
At the meeting of the supreme lodge
the idaho delegate, ]. w. Daniels, pre-
scented Supreme Chancellor Blackwell
gavel OF silver and mahogany and
Delegate Walker of Montana pre-
scented him gold and silver Jewel.
, Delegate Lee of Rhode Island was
elected official reporter and the SUI
preme lodge rank was conferred on
several past chancellors. An early ad.
tournament was taken in memory Of
, the late Past Supreme Chancellor
Shaw.
Indianapolis will probably be the city
chosen for the next encampment. The
: Indiana delegates are urging the claims
OF their city while Louisville is prac-
, tically withdrawn from the field, as she
will entertain the Grand Army next
/ year, II possible.
Tho Pythian sisterhood organization
, Is holding a business meeting at the
Grand Army hall. Today there were
several excursions and concert by
the National Marine band,
The Cotton Palace.