St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-10-18
CLOSING SESSIONS.
Icontinued from 1st page.l

order Knights of Pythias was founded IN
Washington, D. c.. February 10, 1864
Through many discouraging expert
ences the order has grown, until now its
lodges may be found in every state OF
the Union, Canada. the British Ameri-
can provinces and Mexico, and its men,
bers number half million, only two
other orders, the Masons and Odd Fell
lows, exceeding in numbers. 1t is a sue
cessful mean between the ritualistic or
ders referred to and the other fraternal
orders, who, perhaps, lack in that regard
and are more purely social organlza-
lions. 1t is Catholic in its scope; not
seeking to shape the creed or direct the
political sentiment of its members, only
recurring for membership men OF good
health who believe in Supreme Being
and are loyal to their own government.
1t has been the policy of the order to
limit the territory covered to the Ameri-
can continent and possessions, that it
might become the great American order.
Several humorous hits were made upon
the secret work Of the order. There are
three ranks corresponding to the three
steps that were necessary to become a
disciple of Pythagoras and were in the
nature of tests, but each has its strong
and beautiful lesson-Fraternity, Charity,
Benevolence. During the past 81 years
100000 has been paid by the order
to the widows and orphans OF members,
and one and fourth million to its sick
members.
He told several stories from Pythian
history of instances where members in
times of great danger have laid down
their lives to save their brother Knights,
proving as true and heroic friendship as
that OF Damon and Pythias.
While the ancient days Of chivalry have
passed, they have given place to a better,
truer chivalry, the knighthood of moral
chivalry.
The Pythian colors have deep signii-
canoe. The deep blue of heaven finding
expression i'll fraternal love,-the golden
glow of charitv,-red symbolizing the
warm blood of the Knghtly heart in its
fullest Observation-Disclosures.
Before ten years had passed member
OF the United States senate in speech in
the senate chamber said that no single
agency had done so much to unite the
North and South as the order Knights of
Pythias. When the call came tor troops
in the last war, the North and the South
responded together and the first shot
was fired by Northern tar" under a
Southern commander, and since that
time Mason and Dixon's Line has disap-
peared forever from the map.
The orator spoke with great eloquence
of the world wide results. of the war. in
dgnifying America and in its effects upon
the old world nations. He declared him
self an expansionist in the most vigorous
language possible; asked if we should re-
fuse to accept our manifest destiny, and
il the time had not come for the nation
to throw aside the swaddling clothes of
the infant republic for adult armor.
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines
should be our possessions. "If foreign
foe or domestic traitor attempts to
haul down the American flag wherever
it has been planted, shoot him on the
spotl"
The "AntiImperialist" discussions
were styled those born of the statesman
ship OF senility.
The Knights of Pythias must keeppace
with the nation and in whatsoever lands
the Stars and Stripes shall float there
shall ever be found the colors of our
Order,-"with Freedoms soil beneath
our feet, And Freedoms Banner stream,
ing DER u.s."