Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-10-20

cuNities Wisulu tue .Esstt sHa s4Ht-
tstions Of the fraternity.
I'VE make no claim 90 the an
tiquity OF centuries long since
passed. I. IL only about thiriy-fve
years since Justin II. Rathbcue
gathered together . few chosen
friends in the City OF Washingtea
and formed the fret lodge. knights
Of Pythias. Of the world. The prin-
ciples upon which he founded the
order were taken from the classical
narration Of the enduring friendship
OF Psthias for his friend Damon. srd
the willingness Of either % sacrifice
his life TO preserve the life Of his
friend; traits OF such unseltish and
magn .uimous nature rs 20 inspire
even the admiration % the tyrant ~ho
had applied TO these devoted friends.
the crucial test Of q psrdursbie
friendship. The work OF Brother
Rathboue aud his few chosen friend
in forming the first lodge named
Washington In honor OF the father Of
our cou atry IL clearly shown in the
surprising growth Of the order and
In the large numbe OF initiates who
have been instructed and have sp
p-ecia,ed the beautiful lessons in
culcated therein"
Capt. Cleaveiand said there were
ove- five hundred lodges with q
embership Of 1000 in Illinois =,
the present time. he again ex.
tended q LOYAL welcome to the wish
tore, hoping that they would take id.
vantage OF seeing the arsenal. Hen
nepin canal. Watch Tower and points
of interests hereaboubt. and that
there visit would be one OF profit and
enjoyment.
fhe Mayors welcome.
The quartet saue The Chapel. '
whereupon Mayor Knox babe The
visitors welcome In behalf of the city
He said:
Mr.. Cnairmau. Ladies aud Gentle.
men, aud Members OF the Order o
Knights OF Pythias: assure YOU
it affords me great pleasure to NEE
here with you today. and so great .
number Of good aud loyal men work
. ing for a good cause. There was .
time when men were only callet
loyal when they went to war in de
Tense OF our great and glorious coun.
try, but now what can be more Iowa
than connecting ourselves with
, g'eat order like the one gathered
here today, for the elevation of char
acter. the promotion of mankind sn,
the care Of family and children II
[ the days of trouble and distress. NJ
4 man ought to put OF until tomorrow
or next week. but at once conncc
: himse with the X. z. order or som,
' other order Just as good This !
/ similar to placing money in the saw
ings bank. and sometimes better. 70
the members will in time OF sickness
= and distress watch by the bedside q
, q member and administer to hi
wants. aud IL taken away By tn
, hand Of death. will be to the widos
= and orphans friend true and tried
always ready TO help brother or hi
family at few moments notice.
shall have TO stop talking about III
good qualities Of your order. or 70
will think I am n member and Civ
me the password and grip. No =
ladies and gentlemen. ] wish 10 We
come you to our beautiful city.
hope that You may have q plea.ar
aud Instructive meeting on this. you
9th anniversary. and that noihin
. occurs 70 mar the pleasure and "a
joyment Of the visitors while in GU
city; that you may he well er
tertaintd, for our people hav
he name Of being goo
p-ople, ever mindful TO entertain
visitors whenever IN our city; and
hope when YOU return TO your home
that you will never regret the NEE
ing in Rock Island OF the X. p. orde,
o now wish TO turn over the key {
the city TO your chairman, and h p
! yourselves and ladies' will consider a.
q city yours during your stay with nj
From the time I first met some
= your head officers I have been Ions
$ ing for the arrival OF the day whe
our citizens and members of Oh
}. home X. OF z. lodges might -how tn
government island and our beautif,
: Mississippi river to the Pythians {
e Illinois. that they might become be
i ter acquainted with them, and ou
9 home lodges do not take back Sc,
5 from other cities ia entertaining pc
pie: and | hope this will be one
the most successful meetings III
order ever held. NOW, my friend
70 once more welcome you TO Rock Is
and. in behalf OF the city council an
ID our people
II Mayor Knox then reviewed II
is efforts which Rock Island had ma,
to secure the grand lodge meetin,
Ie how he had written to Quincy viii
T. the order was in session there In
b. October, inviting the PytAisns
/, come to Rock Island q year henc,
and low grateful the city fel; ov,
its success, and would endeavor
d make itself worthy of the honor b
Al slowed.
r. The X. p. quartet followed wit
N the singing OF kathleen Mavoul
70 n Gen."
al GRAND CBASCsLLOR.- RESPONSE
n Speeks TOR the Ora-r sa Reply 60 q
"a W0pfa nj