Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-24

/ ihSd ilSleSSs dHQl pOmpuS SHOW is III
| reality a. treasure OF untold riches The
forms OF any human organization may
/ be subject to criticism yet only the
/ superficial will stop with the forms.
4 Stripped OF its entire paraphernalia, its
ferns and so-called secrets, oddfellow-
ship in its reality, its abiding charac-
ter is an institution OF methodical be
neVolence, an association bound to-
I gether by tFriendship, Love and
! Truth than which no greater more
divine principles adon character or
beautify human life AS an order and
as men we are in sympathy with the
progress of the age in league with
all true reform, loyal to the highest
| ideal-mau's humanity to man.
However, it. is more particularly
OF one branch or the growing fabric of
this great world wide Institution or
/ ganization and fraternity that it is
presumed shall be the topic of these
brief sentences. The one here repre-
sented and the occasion of this as
sembly the Patriarchs Militant
'Knighthood and chivalry are almost
if not quite synonymous terms. much
more so in Anglo-Saxon history than
/ now, when those with whom the Eng
fish termed knights. were by the Nor
mans called cheyaliers, by which in
/ each case, was the nature OF their SER
vice defined With no claim for pre-
i historic origin, traditions of dim medi-
aeyal years, tales of fuedal bondage
or dreams Of antiquity this organiza-
ton has stepped quietly to the front
/ and center of the American nation
building. boundary extending and old
world educating stage of action. It's
nursery is beneath all the parallels of
a great continent, its sponsor the SOW
ereign grand lodge OF the Independent
4 Order Of Odd Fellows. A child OF many
fathers and yet unit in all its
/ thoughts, acts and movements.
Armed and equipped at its owD ex-
| pense, but ever loyal to its parent
age, surrounding every opposition,
still the advance has gone on until
now the reward is an organization
4 standing second TO none Whatever
may have been its inherent defects.
! the fact is indisputable that il embed.
1 led some of the noblest sentiments,
4 and has in its teachings, by precept
i and example, engendered many wor-
i thy acts in contemporary mankind
4 Ii animates the cheyalier with de-
4 sire for higher ideals, inspires the en-.
4 orgies and measurably holds in moral
control. Yalor, the primary qualifica,
ton always of a knight, is followed
closely by loyalty, with it's fidelity to
all engagements, and the attending
courtesy with careful respect for the
i feelings and rights of others
4 Comforting lInighthood al this time
is only had by the different societies
similar to this I'd in England by the
/ Lord Lieutenar of Ireland, but by
/ whomsoeyer inferred, in middle ages
as now, knighthood endows the reci-
pient with the same status and attri-
| butes, ciYilly, morally and in the so
cial scale, in every country wherein
4 chiyalry has been or is now had The
age of chiyalry generally speaking
| from its dawn with the crusades t.
| the close of the sixteenth century
j was one of gallantry pageantry and
/ Journeys but under the schooling OF
this great order patience in the pfac
/ studying the beauty OF friendship, in.
1 culcating the principles of truth, and
1 impressing the Importance of love and
liberation, are the banner emblazoned
notices of the chevalier Never a her,
editary right, but always conferred as
a reward for chi1alric deeds or noble
! purposes, so may it ever be to the
cheyalier a distinction of worth, a
merit of esteem and an emblem OF
/ true manhood
i Col. r. |. TiIton's Welcome.
4 Mr.. Chairman, members of the de.
| partment council and friends: The
/ poet has said: tbs sweet 10 be re-
/ membered and especially so when that
i remembrance brings a consideration
j so kind as that il affords the privilege
i of speaking here. te and for brothers
i and sisters and chevaliers with whom.
i have been so long, and in times past.
SO intimately associated.
4 And brothers of the committee had
4 the gift Of oratory no form OF speech
/ that ! can frame would be adequate
i 10 express my sense Of obligation, for
being lnus appointed TO speak words
of welcome TO these visitors.
Mayor Picllier has spoken an elo-
Quent welcome for the city of Ottum-
wa, and may add, for the citizens OF
the most enterprising and prosperous,
ana, (if Col. Buck We're not here
might saw, the largest inland city OF
Iowa, excepting only its capital city
/ of Des Moines
And ID is for me to speak for Can
ton Ottumwa No. 5 by whose invitation
we are here assembled, and not only
so, but for the 525 Brother Odd Eel
lows and the 400 Sisters Rebekah OF
Ottumwa, who all recognize the merits
OF the Patrlarehs Militant, and join in
our hearty welcome to the department
council and visiting cheyaliers.
"Chevaliers we are glad indeed that
, Ottumwa was selected as The place
for tins meeticg. We feel honored by
your presence. and we trust that this
meeting may prove an agreeable, and
q pleasant occasion TO you, profitable
TO the department, and an inspiration
to our order, in Ottumwa 10 take on
new strength, and renewed activity
We welcome you as brothers OF the
same family, as members all OF our
a great brotherhood, Fraternity which
is doing so much for humanity.
"Soon after the meeting of the soy
ereign grand lodge in Des Monies, anf
the great demonstration OF Septembel
,i17, the largest parade ever seen il
Iowa, | was asked: What constitutes
the strength of your order9
.a.W L.