Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-06-23
The FOresters.
Their International Conclave at Bur-
linRton---RRpid Growth OF the order
---4OOO Men In Parade wednesday.


lington---RRpid Growth OF the order
---4OOO Men In Parade Wednesday.
The international conclave of the Cath
Ole Order of Foresters opened at Burling-
ton Tuesday, when the visitors were given
a royal welcome.
AT $3.50 the visiting delegates, escorted
by the local courts, marched TO the music
OF the Sherman band from their headquar-
ters to st. Mary's cathedral, where high
mass was celebrated by Rt. Rev. j. S.
Michaud, coadjutor bishop of Burlington,
assisted by several clergymen.
The great ediice was tiled. The SER
mon was preached by Bishop Michaud.
lie took no text, but, instead, delivered an
Impressive address to the visitors, remind
ing them that they were Catholics, and as
such they should give heed and allegiance
to the holy church. He urged the vast
congregation to pray during the sacrifice
OF the mass, to pray for themselves, their
families their homes aud the holy church,
During the delivery of the bishops adj
dress message was handed to Father De-
laney, and by him to the bishop. "A mes
sage from the holy father at Rome" said
the bishop as he glanced at the contents of
the envelope, In an instant every breath
was hushed while the message of five
words, The pope blesses the Foresters, -
was read. 1t bore the name of Cardinal
Martinelli, having come from the head of
the sacred college.
The papal benediction came as a pleasant
surprise and left no doubt in the minds of
all that the venerable pontiif is pleased
with the work of the order.
AT the close of the church celebration
la Inragfarc .l ~ h,n 4.
where Mayor Roberts welcomed the high
court officers and delegates in the name of
the citizens of Burlington.
High Chief Ranger Thomas Cannon re-
sponded, assuring the mayor that the For
esters East and West would take home with
them happy recollections of their first visit
to the state of Ethan Allen and George
Dewey.
The business of the convention was
transacted at city hall during the day. In
the evening a banquet was rendered the
visitors. w. V. Scully of Burlington acted
as toastmaster, and several prominent
clergymen and visiting delegates respond
ed
The reports of the officers of the high
court of Catholic Order of Foresters, which
organization dates back to May "a, 1888,
shows the growth of the order to be phe-
nomenal, the past two years having been
among the most prosperous and progressive
in the history of the order
Al the last international convention held
two years ago, the order comprised 627
courts with total membership Of AZ, sos.
On June /, 1890 there we're 997 courts in
good standing, with total membership of
I3,5S9. Since the last meeting only two
courts in New England have suspended, St.
Joseph's, $50, and John Boyle O'Reilly,
66, both located at North Brookfield,
Mass.
Vermont leads the New England states
with IS courts and 2273 members, New
Hampshire having 80 courts and 2l49
members, Massachusetts, If courts and
lO2S members, and Maine 10 courts and
59l member Illinois has 272 courts with
total membership of 23,S7l.
Wednesday was the great day of the
convention. The city was profusely deco
rated with the national colors and the col
ors of the Foresters. There were bicycle
races at the park in the morning, the But
Ter brothers of Boston carrying off the
honors in the professional events. The
University of Vermont ball team won from
the Ottawa professionals 6 to 5.
The parade which started at . O'Clock in
thSuAtci hOou was IAe great feature OF the
day. Between 5000 and 1000 men were in
line. First came squad of police, then
company NJ of the lst Vermont regiment.
Sherman military band, grand marshal and
aids, followed by local Catholic societies
and the visiting courts of Foresters. The
Foresters presented fine appearance.
White duck trousers and dark coats were
the regulation uniform. Many of the
courts were accompanied by bands, and
there were special spectacular features at
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