The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-08-13
ELKs At SALT LAKE.

SALT LAKE. Aug. i2.-Ctah and
Salt Lake extended royal welcome
TO the hosts Of visiting Elks at the
Mormon Tabernacle today. The meet.
ing which followed the immense MILF
tary and civic parade, marked the
formal opening OF the annual reunion
Of the grand lodge OF Elks.
Charles Il, Pickett grand exalted
ruler delivered the following speech at
today's session;
After preaching the gospel OF Elk
dom at frequent intervals during the
year past, II might seem that the
subject would become a trite one. ii
liz said by those who have been priv
LEGGED to gayc upon the works Of the
great masters that the longer you be-
hold them the more you compare them
with other works Of art, the more
beauties are unfolded TO your eyes.
The more / study the birth and his
tory and principles Of Elkdom, the
more ! compare II with other great
civic organizations. the more / see in
II TO admire. to cherish and 10 love,
II II not the creature OF accident II
Is not for the passing day. II has a
permanent abiding place among the
enduring forces Of progress. The CEN
turtles preceding made II possible. II
was foreordained by the Irresistible
logic OF human advancement. The
| time was ripe for Its birth. over its
cradle Destiny waved It's prophetic
wand and the myriad Invisible voices
Of the future rang forth In glorious
anthem, Hail, HAN. Hail" There is
among nil the forces OF civilization an
independence and close relationship.
Analysis OF progress reveals broad.
ening In all human thought, The def
iinItlon OF freedom Is being enlarged in
scope and comprehension as the years
80 by. The emancipated seem anxious
to atone for the bigotry Of former
times on every side may be seen the
manifestation Of a higher life. a
broader thought more humane con-
ception of the relations Of man to
imam.
In perfect harmony and sympathy
with the influences that have wrought
these wonderful changes and keeping
step with the grand army of progress,
stands today the Benevolent and Pro-
teetIve Order of Elks. Elkdom should
commend itself to the judgment OF all
honest minds, II possesses many pos
siblitles for good. It IL a many sid
ed order While fratcrnal in charac-
ter, II differs from all fraternal or
ganizations. 1t has no prototype. II
is an American order, Born beneath
the Stars and Stripes Of our own re-
public, In every instinct II Is Ameri-
can. Its paramount principles are
symholleal of our people. Elkdom be-
lieves IN charity teaches charity, prac-
tees charity. Not the charity that
can be estimated In dollars and cents
Not the charity that seeks reward
through public applause, but doing
good for its own sake. Charity with
out ostentation Is the great law Of
order, But we believe In higher
charity-charity in speech, in conduct,
In friendship, in love- in all the rela-
tions Of man to man. True charity
uplifts the fallen, strengthens the
weak, assists the unfortunate, forgives
the errlng, befriends the friendless,
and clasps within its loving arms all
who need the warmth and sympathy
and love of human hearts.
The portals of Elkdom are thrown
wide to all manly applicants. It draws
no distinctions, In the republicanism
of our government and democracy of
our ideas, all are equal.
Our order is constructive and not
destructive. The spirit Of eonoclasm
dwells not within Its circle. It mo-
Tests no temple, desecrates no altar,
profanes no sanctuary. 1t robs no
man Of his faith, attacks no creed,
'eritlcizes no sect, It shadows no