The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-02-23
FOUR YEARS OLD.
ElktOn Council Jr. @. U. A. M. Celc-
brateS IT'S Fourth Anniversary.


to the exercises. held in the Councils hand
some quarters in Mechanics Hall, which
were taxed to the utmost TO accommodate
the large audience present. The council
room was one blaze of patriotism, everywhere
being displayed the National colors in
artistic and pleasing effect. The evening"
program was very much enjoyed. and was
one eminently appropriate to the occasion,
and carried out the thoroughly American
principles and true purposes Of the Order.
The speakers of the evening were William s.
Evans and William j. Smith, Esqrs.. both
members OF the order and enthusiastic sup
port"rs OF its principles Their addresses
were able treatiSes upon the importance OF
the Order from political, social and relig-
ious standpoint, and were at once well re-
ceived by their hearers.
Other features of the literary program were
a select reading by Miss Charlotte Ash. and
an essay The American Flag Over the Public
Schools by Miss Mary Budd, "a teacher in
the Elkton Public School. Miss Budd's essay
appealed strongly to the sentiments of every
true American Mechanic.
Miss Lulu Brown and Miss Molie Perkins
two popular members of EIkton's musical
circle, sang solos, and selections were render
ed by the Elkton Banjo Club, and Dunbar's
Orchestra Prayer was offered by Rev. W.
II. Young.
Mr.. Evans. who made the opening address
said in part:
FRIENDS AND BROTHER CoUHcILoRs:
This is the fourth anniversary Of the forma-
ton of Elkton Council. No. ". Jr. 0. L. A.
NJ, and it seems proper we should take some
notice of an event which is destined to pro
ducc such good results in clrvating the stand
ard of citizenship by educating our people in
the duties privileges and responsibilities of
freempn.
We are pleased to welcome our friends who,
by their presence and assistance, are kindly
aiding us to make the occasion interesting
and enjoyable.
This Council was organized ON the 18th
day of February in the year eighteen hundred
and ninoty-one. There We're lorty-livc charter
members. Now, after lapse OF only four
years we have one hundred and ninety y-thrrc
names on our rolls. Five of our brothers
have died, three OF whom were charter men,
brrs
The growth Of this order has beon phenom-
inal all over the United States. In Maryland
alone, there have been within the last four
years and since this Council was organized,
one hundred and TWO new Councils started.
and the membership in this State. now
amounts, i'll round numbers. to twelve
thousand. 1t is purely an American institu-
tiOn for American born citizens. We are not
however, as most persons think, opposed to-
all immigration. An honest, intelligent and
industrious foreigner, who comes to make
his home here and assist in strengthening and
maintaining our tree institutions. will receive
as cordial welcome and as much assistance
from the members of this order. as he will
from any other OF our citizens
Our main object is to protect and preserve
our free institutions, by educating ourselves
and our children III all the privileges and
duties OF citizenship. We want our children
to receive intellectual and moral instruction,
free from sectarian influence. We are III
structing them TO reverence God and to love
the country Of their birth. We are strictly
non-partisan. If it We're otherwise the objects
and purposes of tins organization would iR
defeated. The principles upon which it lis
founded will survive forever, and when we
are educated up to the full standard of our
duties and privileges, our people will b.
prosperous and our republican institutions
will be secure.
The perpetuaton ol the free institutions OF
this country depends upon the Intelligence
integrity and patriotism OF her people, and il
we neglect our duty we jeOpardIHe the
stability of our government.
The Jr. O. L. A. NJ, showing the history
Of the past and looking forward with hope
tor the future, are enaeavorng to transmit
to future generations our form OF government
unmpaired. No institution was ever founded
upon better principles, nor was there ever
an order formed with more commendabIe
objects i'll view.
Our notices are virtue, liberty and pat.
riotism. These are the principles of goodness
which will lead the nation to II higher, hap
pier and more perfect condition. We are
mere lpi " poSt dS III It's
ton as ever inspired the mind or nerved the
arm Of man, and we mean to press right ON
until our mission he accomplished. And at
the head Of our column will float the star
spangled banner, tor it is something more
than a symbol of liberty-it is manifestation
of benefcence, it is the representation of
divine benevolence. II bears intelligence to
the down-trodden and oppressed of every
land. that religious liberty is not merely a
theory. That here, in the Western Hemi-
sphere, is IL land, where the people can rule
and govern themselves 1t tells the nations
of the earth, here is land, where bondage
and slavery can not exist, where the yoke of
the dictator and the heel of the despot are
unknown.
Mr. Smith in his address referred to the
principles of the Order and how its purposes
were to improve the condition of public
affairs.
How it was honest in its purpose and unin
iuenced by any partisan object.
In speaking of the Orders object in secur-
ing free public school system, Mr.. Smith
said that he considered 1t one of the greatest
and most important questions before the
people. Education should be free for every
child and every child should be lberally