The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1899-05-05

the Odd Fellows cemetery, II ia o,s
intention to adorn and beautifv M
until it will not only be our pride, hns
an ornament to our city.
Your visit to us will stimulate TIC
growth OF our lodge in numbers hv
showing to those who have never unitad
with us the strength and the mission of
our order. and cause those who hava
lost their membership by lukewarmness
to be reinstated. 1t will give renewed
vigor to the impulses with which Odd.
Fellowship seeks TO inculcate its mem.
bers-and what nobler truths are there
than those taught by our order II has
no creed, o is bound by any sect. vet
it teaches us that we must do reverence
to the great creator, whose all.seeino
eye is ever bent with scrutiny upon onr
every thought, word and deed. r
teaches us the universal fraternity Of
the family of a That principle,
which is the cornerstone of our order
is one which, If made universal. will
be the solution of the great problems
which are now a~gitaGing the rulers and
peoples of the great powers of the
world. In brief, the object of this or.
der is to unite all people OF all coun-
tries into a great brotherhood whose
mission shall be to visit the sick. relieve
the distressed. bury the dead and edu.
cate the orphan. What a glorious
world this would be with her teeminc
millions practising the precepts of this
order!
Again we welcome you, and trust.
that your deliberations will rebound in
profit and good results to that best and
noblest of all orders-th, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows.
This was responded to by the grand
secretary, ". P. Doty, who. after thank
ing the mayor for his liberality, re.
turned, in beautiful words, the appre.
citation Of the visitors for the hearty
welcome the speaker had just assured
them, Mr.. Doty then addressed the
audience OIL Odd Fellowship, following
which Colonel Powers pronounced the
benediction and the meeting adjourned,
the procession Of Odd Fellows reform
ing and marching back to the hall,
and the session continued.
Tuesday night was set apart for the
banquet. The Reiman house, whose
reputation has been made known all
over the state, was selected to get up
the feast. The hour set was 10 ,. III,
and at 1880 o'clock the doors of the
elegant dining Dol were thrown open
and presented a tempting sight that
wreathed in smiles the faces of the
visiting brethren. Covers were laid for
$50 guests. Hon. Monroe McClurg was
chosen toastmaster, and If the whole
order had been sifted a better man
could not have been found for this &C.
casion. He proved a most genial host.
Toasts were responded to as follows:
American Odd Fellowship" Hon.
William Hemingway, past grand. Jack
son.
"Our Relations to Other Orders"
Judge W. NJ. Strickland, past grand
master, Holly Springs.
odd Fellowship and Good Citizen
ship" Hon. A. H. Longino, past grand,
G%reenville.
odd Fellowship in Politics and Re-
ligion,' Hon. E. L. Brien, past grand,
Vicksburg.
Our Orphans" Colonel J. L. Power,
past grand master, jackson.
Friendship, Love and Truth" DR..
W. H. Baird, past grand. Oxford.
"Our Impressions Of Greenwood"
Hon. John L. Buckley. past grand, En-
terprise.
"Our Visitors to the Great Yazoo-
Mississippi Delta" Hon. G. A. Wilson.
The speeches Were all good and
showed that "there is life in the old
land yet"
DR.. w. Il. Baird of Oxford, claiming
not to be an orator, introduced a kins-
man as Robert Taylor whose real name
was afterward learned to be Robert
smith, Mailing from Meridian. MIR.
Smith proved equal to the occasion, and
his imitation of Bob Taylor was so fine
thai it was greeted with great applause.
The music for the occasion was fur
nlshed 10y the silver cornet band, and
those who participated pronounce it
one of the most enjoyable banquets
they ever had the pleasure Of ats nding
when ladies were not present.
The steamboat excursion was one of
the most ENJOYABLE events of the week.
This took place Tuesday afternoon.