The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-07-02
will be at once unique, picturesque and

VIII De at once unique, picturesque ana
patriotic.
The papers Of Great Falls have gen.
erously given US their space and Sunday
our Exaulted Ruler DR.. Sweat took space
on the editorial page of the Tribune to
make a few remarks. I have the clip
ping here. These are some of the things
he said: J. ..
1T having become evident some time
ago that Great Falls was to have no ceie-
bration on the Fourth Of July, so far
as the citizens as a whole We're con-
cerned, the local lodge of Elks took the
matter up with determination that the
day would not be allowed to pass wholly
unobserved in the city. 1t did so be-
lieving that citizens generally would ap-
preclate their efforts, and perhaps find
in them something to entertain and at
the same time, remind them of the fact
that 1875 years ago their nation was born.
1.-The Elks have no elaborate pro-
| gramme prepared, but the celebration Of
| the Fourth in Great Falls this year viii
differ materially from the ordinary. We
| will have no orators to dwell upon the
| country's greatness and extensive fire.
works will be missing in the evening.
| The celebration will be simple, so far
as we are concerned, and our efforts will
| be more aimed to amuse than to instruct
| In short, 1t Is by the novelty of our effort
more than it's elaborateness, that we
hope to help entertain the citizens of our
city.
1.-The Benevolent and Protective Orde>
of Elks is essentially an American or
ganization. 1t has no branches outside
Of the United States, and it has no men,
bers who are not citizens of the United
States. 1t is appropriate therefore that
1t should take an active part in patriotic
observance. 1t was appropriate that it
should take up the matter of celebrating
the nations natal day, and, we believe,
that in doing SO our local organization
has the hearty support Of the people of
our city
Our order Is a young one. It's ex-
istence dates back only to 1867, and for
many years after that it can scarcely
| be said to have been more than a local
and class organization. Only in 1882 did
it commence to branch out, and that 1t
found favor is evidenced by it's rapid
growth.
Among the members of the order are
an unusually large number of men
prominent in various walks of life.
Started as an organization for theatrical
men it has naturally attracted to it all
those who have been prominent on the
AIleT1Cdu Std6c SluCc IT'S OTkdulZdtlOu.
But actors are not the only men in the
public eye who are members of the Or
ganization. We find Elks in all the walks
of life, and particularly numerous are
they among those who represent the
American people in the halls of congress
| In both senate and house the Elks are
said to be more numerous than the mem
bers of any other secret organization
several Elks sit upon the nations su.
preme bench, and an Elk occupies the
white house. In this connection it i:
worthy of mention that in the late presi
Dental campaign both leading candidate!
for the presidency were Elks. In Mon
tana both Senators Clark and Gibson ar,
. Elks, and their predecessOrs-ex-Sena
| Mantle and Carter-are also members O
l the organization.
: II mention the fact that so many mel
high in public life are Elks to show NOR
( clearly the hold that this organization
4 has taken on the American people, tn
e high order of the membership. and tn
propriety Of our taking a particular pa
= triotic interest in all that pertains I
: America and Americans. But it is no
e on account of its membership that tn
B. p. o. E. has the strongest claim upo
e the people. It Is not because president
4 and senators are within our ranks tina
j. | our organization has increased and pros
= pered. 1t Is in the undying, upliftin
d principles upon which the order
Il founded that Elkdom finds it's strength
1t is an organization Of tender feeling