The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-11-29
Slanderers Rebuked.
BURTON, Nov. 26, 1895,

onymous item appearing In the Argus, both
daily and weekly OF last week, against be-
nevolent secret societies in general, and the
Odd Fellows in particular, headed: "Where
is the Brotherly Lover" Said article pur-
porting to have been written by an Odd Eel
low and rejecting unfavorably on our Lodge
at Burton.
Not wishing to indulge in any newspaper
notoriety, and considering the low source
from which 1t came, the first impulse of the
brothers here was to allow this article to
pass with the silent contempt which it GER
tainly deserves. Still, after more mature
thought, we concluded that In justice to
ourselves and the great order of which we
form part, that prompt refutal of the
slander would be wise, as silence is fre-
quently regarded as an evidence of guilt by
an uninfermed public, who are only too
ready to put false construction on any
thing of this nature. An explanation is rem
dered more difficult and the work of the
author all the more contemplate and mean,
as the subject involves the business affairs
of society that should be kept secret, and
that do not concern the public at large, and
we would gladly refrain from discussing
matters of this nature, suffice it to say that
lit is collection of falsehoods from begin
ming to end. On reading the item referred
last statements used, as we'll as those inter-
vening, were falsehoods pure and simple, as
it was dated at Burton and signed IAN Odd
Fellow" and further investigation has
The author of the above to quote verbatim
ct literatum, says that "All orders founded
on brotherly love be they what they may,
Pythian Knights, Masons or Odd Fellows,
should try to live so near their standard that
the world outside may have no reason to
throw stones at their fraternity" This we
all admit, but the author seems better
adapted to sling mud than the metaphorical
stones. Then he harps on that Loyalty"
which a renowned writer has said ''is al
ways the last resort of scoundrel which
with such characters can usually be defined
as Zip loyalty" and usually extends no
deeper than those members, by adding,
''This disloyalty to their first principles has
an example in this county" In loyalty to
the order and to suffering humanity we are
safe in asserting that the brothers of Burton
and vicinity will compare favorably with
those of any other community and not suf-
fer by the comparison, either. Then he pro-
ceeds to say that IAN Odd Fellow in good
standing who is old and an invalid, passes
weeks, aye even months without call from
his brothers, whose lodge room is less than
mile from his door, and while they stand
aloof, outsiders, with small pretenti0ns even
to godliness have kept the poor old man
from want" Whether the man referred to
who is sold and an invalid" is in ''good
standing" or no, we will refrain from dis
cussing in secular print for reasons men,
toned above, suffice it to say that he was
suspended for non-payment of dues in
neighboring Odd Fellows lodge, and could
have been suspended here on various oc-
casions for the same reason, but through
feelings of charity he was carried along. 1t
is deplorable fact that some persons join
society merely for the ''loaves and fishes"
to be had. But charity in such cases Is
usually akin to throwing pearls before
certain quadruped as they will certainly
trample them under their feet and turn again
and rend you. We might also add that
people with small pretentions even to god
illness" are and should be their brothers
keeper just as much as any member Of any
society. He now proceeds to state: "This
is sad reproach upon this ancient order
and we think worthy of investigation by
higher authorities among Odd Fellows, who
have no further to go than Burton to know
all the circumstances of the case.' We
would court investigation and would be
pleased to meet any of the 'higher author
tiles" at any time, feeling assured that we
can explain matters satisfactorily.
The question is next asked: "Does broth
erly love extend no further than as long as
we have money and health, or does it en-
circle with its arms the poor, the sick, and
the afflicted? Then IL this old Odd Fellow
who has given up his means to support the
order during his prosperity, has no claim
upon his brothers in his adversely uery Odd
Fello,Us indeed are they and shame upon
the show of it." The ''poor old Odd Fell
low" referred to possesses to-day more prop
erty than numbers of the members con-
tributing to his support. A man with real
estate worth several hundreds of dollars and
hay and grain In his barn for sale can hard
ly be regarded as destitute, and the amount
of his means" given up to support the
order during his prosperity, has been very
small indeed, and the treasury Of our lodge
would be good many dollars the richer had
he never been member.
In conclusion, Mr.. Editor, thanking you
for the space in your valuable paper and
for the kind indulgence accorded, we would