The Washington bee., 1898-08-20
ODD FELLOWS CELEBRATION.
THE ANNUAL ADDRESS. .-DISTIN-
GUISHED PEOPLE PRESENT.


GUISHED PEOPLE PRESENT.
Middleburg, Va, Aug. IS. 1898 -
One of the most enj oyable and Cele-
| brated occasions that northern Virgin
ia has ever Witnessed was that which
took place on Friday the 18th instant,
in this city. The event was the ami
versary of Aberdeen Lodge of this
town By special arrangement, DIR.
Geo. H. Richardson of Washington
was invited to speak, as orator of the
day. Fully 1000 people were assem-
bled in the city to witness and partici
pate in the grand parade. The lead
ing citizens from Fauquier, Loudoun
and Prince William counties were
present, having travelled from s to 22
miles to witness the pageant and to
listen to the oration of DIR. Richard
son. Mr.. o. l.. Grant, the moving
spirit and teacher, of Middleburg,
conducted the ceremonies. Other
citizens, notably Mr.. NJ. Taylor, also
teacher in Middleburg and one of the
most enterpriSing citizens of the town
Rev. r P Dawson, Rev. d. Fisher,
divines, Mr.. P. w. Gibson, Mr.. w.
Hansborough and A r. Smith, teach
erS in the county and E. Fisher Of
! fiCiated to make the occasion one of
pleasure and profit. On account of
the rain, which poured in torrents, the
procession could not make display.
| The large ConCourSe of people, accom-
panied by two brass bands, however
had a most enjoyable time in the
Town Hall and anxlously awaited the
address of DIR. Richardson. The ad-
| dress of the doctor was comprehensive
and eloquent, touching upon all of the
elements of structural growth. He
referred to the absence of business, the
lack OF race pride, the failure to prop
erly sustain the home, intemperance
and political inactivity as the causes
position and appealed eloquently to
the masses for more widespread
disposition to get together a more CO.
hesiveness in all that pertains to the
weil-being OF the race. The alb ;ence of
a short hand reporter renders us un-
able TO give the exact language and
scope of the address but those who
, heard it, among whom were the best
white and and colored citizens of Mid
! dleburg, pronounced 1t to be the best
speech ever delivered i'll this section
! by black or white. The principles of
Oddfelowship were handled II a mas
terly manner and for one who is not
an Oddfellow. with surprising and
gratifying felicity Perhaps one of
the most glowing tributes ever paid to
an Oddfellow was that pronounced
upon NJ. Thomas H. Wright, of Wash
ington. a man who has done as much
toward the advancement of the Order
as any colored Oddfellow since the
days of Peter Ogden. Mr.. Wright, it
seems, is an associate of DR.. Richard
ardson on the school board and this
may account in measurable degree
/ for the excellence of the school system
! of Washington. One of the most
! scathing criticisms eyer head In these
parts was that of DIR. Richardson upon
the ministry whose duty he insisted
was to lead our people out of the
slough of despOnd into the sunlight of
pure morality, intelligence and wis
dom but many of whom simply catered
to the ignorance, superstition and b
gotry of the race. He applauded the
intelligent ministry and predicted that
| in few years the pulpit would be
ridden of blots and barnacles which
have too long hampered it. The doc
| tors appeal IN the interest of eduCa
ton, industrial as we'll as academical,
! was one of the grandest flights we
have ever heard and which will be
remembered for its truth and beauty.
! Much credit is due to the OddfellowS
of Middleburg for the enterprise they
! exhibited in getting up this meeting.
| The members of the Household of
Ruth assisted in a large degre to
make the evening entertainment
social and financial success. There
are many teachers here from Washing
ton and other parts who attended the
anniversary exercises and agree that
the occasion was highly entertaining
and printable. We roget the speech
OF DIR. Richardson cannot be published
for the ediication of the race. On
Saturday and Sunday the doctor was
entertained in good country style
manner. On Sunday afternoon DIR.
Richardson addressed the Sunday
school in a modestly and beautiful
manner. The address was short but
pointed and highly appreciated.
Much credit IS due to Mr.. Oliver L.
Grant who has become sort of oracle
in and about Middleburg, for the sue
cess of the celebration. The doctor
left for home Sunday evening. accom-
panied by Mr.. Grant to the Plains,
with the best wishes of the people Of
this burgh and pressing invitation to
return.