The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1899-08-09
Judge Buchanan's Address

Buchanan in the court house last
Sunday morning befere Dixie Lodge,
No. 81, I. O O F, and a large re-
fined and intelligent audience, wa
indeed a rare literary treat Of an
unusual and attractive merit.
The address was preceded by the
reading of the Scriptures, followed
by prayer and the singing of the ode.
The address was elegant in mat
ter and delivered with spirit and ami
nation. 1t was replete with thought
and ideas and was full of worldly
wisdom. Throughout the whole ad
dress there was wholesome regard
for sacred things which were treated
with that reverence and respect so
unusual in these days. Judge Buch-
anan is most interesting talker in
public at all times and as declaimer
he has few equals. Unaffected and
natural his clear, rich voice was at its
best and every word was heard all
over the court room. The address
was of sensible length for the oc-
casion and took up some thirty-fve
minutes in it's delivery. At its ter
mination every one regretted he
could not hear him longer. 1t was
so captivating, so novel and so origi-
nal that the time taken seemed but a
few moments. It was of a most
happy length. His magnetic delivery
held the undivided attention of a
most intelligent audience. The
speaker is a man of unusual oratori-
cal powers being graceful in gesture
and charming in diction.
He began by saying some words
of courtesy to his audience and pass
ing up to the merits of his theme
duty of Odd Fellows and their re-
lation to society-he entered at once
on his subject. He quoted Sir Will
liam Hamilton's expression that
"there is nothing great in man but
mind" From this he deduced from
the superiority of man the great re-
sponsibility for his acts and the
proper use Of his opportunities
With this great superiority comes
the great duty of responsibility not
only for the exercise of his intellect
alone, but for a refined exercise Of
the feelings and instincts of COM
mon manhood and kind and gener-
Gus citizenship. He dwelt at length
upon the benefits mankind most de-
sire from an institution which so
helps and develops a proper, just and
broadened and chritable view of life.
The encouragement of religious
spirit not of any particular denomi-
nation or creed, but of all creeds
recognizing the common fatherhood
of God, was discussed. The Order
did not discriminate against any
faith nor did it intermeddle in this
matter at all further than to encour-
age the observance OF common prin-
ciples upon which all denominations
are founded. 1t gave great encour-
agement to the work of all churches
in that it taught by wholesome les
sons the principles inculcated in the
Golden Rule. The asperities of life
were calmed, cooled and tempered
by the lessons taught in the Lodge
room. There was recognition of
the common lot of men and of the
need to moderate the sorrows and
misfortunes of suffering humanity.
All were upon level in the Lodge
room. The greatest and humblest
considered it privilege to meet their
brothers in the Lodge room and there
was tie that bound all good Odd
Fellows to each other. 1t was an
obligation to do good and was most
honorable. The good man ccn'id-
cred bis obligation sacred. The Or
der practiced relief to all distressed
brothers, aided the widow and the
orphan and buried the dead. In
conclusion he spoke to the members
of the immediate Lodge, Dixie, No.
52,) and wished them and all other
brothers, collectively and personally,
each end every one Of them, the ben
efts of good life and the blessings
of heaven.
After the usual ode was sung and
bonors were given, the audience was
invited to join in the doxology which
was done with a will. The Odd
Fellows repaired to their Lodge
room and the audience dispersed.
Every one agreed most delightful
time had been epjoyed. 1t will be
an occasion long to be remembered.
The members of Dixie Lodge feel
that their cause has been advanced
by the address and are justly proud
of their Order. Judge Buchanan
expressed himself as greatly pleased
with his brothers of Dixie Lodge.
and said he had never addressed
more intelligent assembly of pretty
women and brave men than were
gathered in the court house on Sun