The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-05

VINO Is neid up as tne nignest typ OF
man-yea even as a type of God HI n
figure. and forming subordinate divis-
ions of the great cycle known as the
year. we find events prominent in the
nations history. or influential in So
ciety's progress. used as lesser memoir
ials. Such for example are the Fourth
of July. Decoration day and Thanksgiv-
ing day. Latterly we have added to
these anniversary days a number which
only in a small degree illustrate the
anniversary character. But underly-
ing them all is the idea that the past is
teaching us the lessons of the present;
that ride AZ hard and fast as we may
the past. like Dame Care. sits upon
the crupper. and that to her we must
look for high ideals and nobler pur-
poses.
And 9 % It is to-day, ladies and gem
citrate this. our Elks' memorial. But
II Is not so much a memorial of the
individual Elk. who during the year
has been called from us, and whose
loss Is SO recent as to provoke tears: IL
Is rather a memorial OF that high ideal
OF Elkdom formed by the union of the
greatest and best OF those who have
lived since the foundation OF the order.
This ceremony is not one Of mourning
for the dead, but rather of rejoicing
that they have lived. to furnish us ex-
amples for emulation. And as we call
to mind h long list OF those who have
gone before. and uniting with them
those who are living to-day and that
still longer list of those who are to
come after us, and as we review this
army. as II Were. let us ask ourselves
for what does this organization stand
and what are the ideals of which il
Is a living form? The Benevolent and
Protective Order Of Elks is a modern
organization, called into being by the
demands Of our present day social con-
dition. IT seems but yesterday since
the Jolly Corks' gave IL birth. and
many are those now living who knew
and loved its founders. Originally it
was designed as an organization of per-
sons gag In the theatrical profess
sion, to relieve the tedium of their
monotonous lives. and to furnish a
means of providing for the support of
It's members when age had dimmed
their powers or more active rivals had
gained the ear or eye of popular favor.
Curlously. amid a crowd Of similar or
carnations, which came into existence
at or about the same time. the Elks
from the start gained favor with the
public. The founders could not resist
the pressure from the outside. Gradu-
ally its membership was extended to
admit tia large body of l~iterati, bon
vivants. dramatic critics. newspaper re-
porters. finally. perhaps upon the
theory that all the worlds a stage and
all the people players it's bounds have
been extended SO as TO admit h
worthy OF every walk in life. Yet,
while there has been this change i'm
It's membership or organization, there
has been throughout its entire career.
IN a certain sense, ~singleness of pur-
pose. II Is a modern social institution.
1t claims no recognition by reason of
existence In the dim mysteries of myth
ology. Neither does Il seek to bind it's
to creed or religion. 1t de-
a belief in a supreme being. as
the foundation Of all character. and
an oath OF fealty TO the government
which we live as a pledge of good
citizenship. but 1t leaves to other
spheres the decision of theology and
politics. 1t deals with man as a social
being. having certain wants that can
only be supplied by human
ionship. 1t seeks to draw together
men OF congenial tastes. hat each may
be improved by h contact with the
other. that the burdens Of life may be
lifted for a while for sympathy and
friendship. and the darkened soul may
be lightened by the companionship of
friends and by the thought that others
exist who care for II. And to such of
those as fall through misfortune or adj
NAit hdllu vi III
charity. that the recipient may enjoy
Its benefits, sheltered from the scorn
and feelinglessness of the outer world.
And while II stands for good fellow
ship IL also stands for good citizenship.
Its membership is composed of those
who in the community represent its
most progressive state, its highest
ideals. Since last we met upon this
occasion our nation has been
stirred to Its very depths by the cruelty
upon a helpless people at our
neighboring shores: u angry passions
have been aroused by the destruction of
our majestic warship and the massacre
OF her noble crew while sleeping under
the aegis of a so-called friendly nation,
and wars wild alarms have broken in
upon the quietude of our national ex-
istence like the sudden thunders of We
suvius upon h unprepared Pompeli.
A call to arms was responded to in
overwhelming numbers, n the hands
OF government were uplifted by the
people like the Israelites of old until
had perched upon our banners.
No other civic organization was SO
prompt and so numerous in its espon
TO this call as the Benevolent and Pro-
Order of Elks. Wherever this
organization existed its members. ac-
tuated by the high principles which IL
seeks to teach, heard the voice of duty
and obeyed II. Every volunteer regi-
ment enlisted in the service will bear
testimony through it's muster rolls TO
the patriotism of our order. And to-
day IL 1 were to call the roll OF the LIST
or of the I'd volunteer cavalry,
every lodge of Elks in Montana would
be represented by those who would an
Here Those who thus rendered
their lives to the service of their coun-
try but openly exemplified the spirit
which ~pervades the order. Hundreds OF
others were stayed only by the feeling
OF a stronger duty, and this nation will
never fail for lack of defenders as long
as the order exists.
The free will offering of ones life
for ones country is the exercise Of the
privilege of a citizen. When
our country calls for assistance i'm her
few would be found wanting.
But u recent situation was OF a diff
ferent character. Nc one had assailed
either us or ours. and like the Pharisee,
might have pursued our own way,
eaying our unfortunate eighhnr ~