The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-24
THE SECEDING H
Organize an Improved Order and
Send Out n Circular.

An address has been sent out from this
city by the men interested in the founda-
ton of the Improved Order knights of
Pythias. in opposition to the old order
knights of Pythias. The address has been
issued to all members of the Knights of
Pythias, and Is signed by Charles j.
Schmidt. William Baumen, Hugo Klingstein,
John Loes, Herman Borchers, August Rem
ner, Tobias Roch and John Grein. The
improved order claims to have two lodges
established in this city, and red, white and
blue have been chosen as the new colors.
TIL organization of the improved order is
the outgrowth of the annual national meet
ing of the order held at Washington last
summer, when it was decided to exclude
the German ritual. 1t is claimed by the
men interested in the improved order that
Germans belonging to the old order in all
parts of the country will join them. Fol-
lowing is the address which they have sent
out;
You may not Be with the
unequal contest which has been waged be-
tween the Supreme Lodge, Knights of
Pythias, and the subordinate lodges using
other than the English rituals. Rights dat
yea. more, being granted, with the same
breath that ratified the constitution; rights
wnicn We're granted Ior the purpose OF
citizens of foreign birth to enter this or
der, where the language of this country
was unfamiliar to them; rights which. le-
ultimately used, had induced these same
members to accumulate countless thousands
OF dollars worth of property-were ruthless
~ Snatched away without warning, with
out an opportunity TO present a protest,
much less make an
The Car of Russia, deSpot though he
be, has not the power to confiscate prop
erty where it has been accumulated in a
the Knights Of Pythias, however, in star
chamber session assembled, INVOKING the d.
vine blessings of a merciful God, surrounded
by emblems bearing the legends of friend
SHIP, charity and benevOlence, enraptured
with the beautiful story of Damon and
Pythias, thrust forth it's mailed fist, not to
to chastise the wicked for infractions of
morals and law, but to wantonly, basely
their own brothers, who have had the mis-
fortune to be born in other lands, and who
England fuently, who were in the temple
OF Pythianism at the invitation of the faith
ers of the order, and their successors for
more than two decades. who had always
held high the banner of Pythianism, and
had advanced its cause both morally and
materially.
MISREPRESENTATION and all principles of
manhood demanded a course of opposition
to these actions on the part of the Supreme
in the formation of a new order. 1t is
based on the principles of liberty. friend
distinctions between natives of this OF
other countries, or in any way debating
what language its rites and ceremonies are
to be conducted in, requiring as requisites
for membership moral character, bodily
and mental health. We appeal to you as
a man of fair principles to investigate for
yourself the aims and purposes of the I'm
proved Order Knights of Pythias with a
view of joining the ranks of this new but
rapidly growing organization.
Confident that a bare reference to our
cause must establish it's justice in your
eyes, and an investigation of its aim and
purposes discloseathe high ideal sought to
be reached, it remains but for us to say
that an Engiish-speakin g lodge or the I'M
proved Order Knights of Pythias is in pro-
cess of organization"