The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-12


 and thought. the foremost of their re- spective communities who have been in active sympathy with the underlying ana fundamental tenets of ElBdom. There was time when 1t was the most valued birthright and highest boast of man; I am a Roman citizen, but period came when the dusky pinloned eagles of the Roman legions were no longer borne in triumph from the Polar shores to the river of Egypts cloudy springs, when the imperial cohorts went down before the swarming barbarians of thea north. A time Is rapidly coming, Is coming dld l say? It is here, and when the highest compliment that can be paid to man in a nation that has far outstripped i'm perial Rome in it's most brilliant epoch, will be He Is an Elk one found worthy of initiation into It's sublime mys- teries. one loyal in both mind and heart to it's fnlfllment of life and action. The order of Elks occupies a unique position to other organizations, and in It's unique ness stands it's power for good; It's capa- city for augmentation; it's innate ability for continued cumulative development. 1t rests on pillars firm and right as Justice themselves; as broad as the necessities of humanity; and as deeply planted as the aspirations of mortals after the infinite. One of these pillars is charity, but not in any narrow or restricted sense.
 "It searches in each brother not for the foibes and weaknesses, the petty errors and jarring cords of fallible nature, but for the pure the good and the true, the noble traits that are encased in the same casket of clay. But, ignoring self. it seeks the benefit of each struggling son and daughter of our race who floats upon the tide of time toward the boundless seas of eternity and immortality. It de- lights not in the tale that works an- others hurt; but ever ready to condone in others without the asking the errors of the common frallty. 1t seeks to plant the feet of it's brother on the solid rock of manliness. moderation in all things. and development in the pursuit of the highest ideals"
 On to Baltimore.
 The eyes of thousands of Elks are turned toward Baltimore and the cry, "on to Baltimore" is heard among the herd of over one hundred and fifty thous- and men who wear the horns"
 The city of Baltimore will know some- thing is going on in that place on July 21, 22 and B, when thousands of jolly and happy fellows storm it with relentless force.
 A royal welcome awaits every Elk. No. tice the amount of money that will be used in entertaining the Elks upon the occasion of the meeting of the grand lodge this year:
 Baltimore lodge, s10,O0O.
 City appropriation $25000
 Citizens fund. s375OO
 A grand total of $72.500 to be expended by Baltimore alone. Huge syk-scrapers will be gaily decorated in white and pur- pie, and when night drives day away purple and white incandescent lights will give gala appearance to the city.
 All the lodges in the country will be represented by delegations and each dele gation will take part in gorgeous parade. Prizes will be offered and compe. tition will be strong as to which one shall carry them away.
 Each lodge will have it's own "get up' in the way of costumes for the procession and each with vie with another to be proclaimed the most unique In line
 The citizens of Baltimore expect al least forty thousand visitors and all will be well cared for. Already a number of lodges have made arrangements for hote accommodations for their representatives
 About tins time Henry w Mears, a grand trustee. who calls Baltimore his home. Is having all the work he can do He Is the leader in making arrangements for the huge gathering and he find little time for sweet repose.
 Joseph T. Tanning of Indianapolis, Ind chairman of the board of grand trustees will be candidate for grand exalted ruler. the position now graced by George P. Cronk of Omaha, Neb. He is one ol the big Elks of the country and Is ex. ceedingly popular with the herd every. where.
 Birmingham lodge will take large dele ration this year to the grand lodge meet ng, and are now making preparations or the trip. The Birmingham lodge ha. cen honored in grand lodge assemblies | B. M Allen was grand exalted ruler whei