Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-05-01

L
party. Men who in the contests Of
he years to come will demonstrate
heir force.''
Odd Fellows Day.
Friday, April 26, 1907, the East
,rn Iowa District Association of Odd
Fellows met in Manchester to COM
nemorate the eighty-eighth ami
versary of their order. The weather
was delightful and about 1000 peo-
pie were here from the neighboring
towns and villages. The morning
was given over to the receiving Of
the visitors and their enrolment
after which they were free to visit
different points of interest in the
city until about two-thirty when all
of the Odd Fellows congregated and
had a grand parade through the
streets. Three bands accompanied
them, the Delhi, Hopkinton and
Coggon bands. The streets were
gayly decorated with flags. bunting,
and many expressions Of welcome.
Following the parade aprogram was
held in the Central Opera House.
The Delhi band rendered selection
of much merit which was greatly
appreciated. Then the ode which
was given at the first and every
subsequent meeting Of the order,
was sung Justify by all the assem-
blage. Rev. Wagner in short.
prayer invoked Gods blessing upon
all. NJ. F. Leroy by few we'll
chosen words introduced Mayor
Matthews, who gave the following
address:
To the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs
of the I. o. o. F. and Fellowcitizens
of the Eastern District of Iowa:
We bid you hearty welcome to
our city. 1t is the usual custom of
your fraternal body to meet from
year to year to celebrate the day Of
its birth. And while you are as
sembled on this Lightweight ami
versary and reflect on the progress
it has made in that space of time it
is almost without parallel in its de-
velopement and growth. The foun-
ders of this institution little knew
of the strides it would make along
the lines of expansion. The five
men that assembled on the Goth day
of April, 1919, and founded this or
der with the principles it rests upon
did not realize that. their adoption
would form nucleus around which
thousands, nay, tens of thousands,
would gather and bind themselves
together for the betterment of the
human family. Its growth has been
steady and strong. Ithas gradually
spread from town to town, from city
to city, from county to county, from
state to state, nay, from nation to
nation, until it has been established
in nearly all parts of the globe. The
reports show that, in 1906, the to
tai number Of persons that have
united with this order and were then
in good standing was ,600,7l2, and
the total amount paid out in this
year in relief and in many and vari-
GUS ways was $4,680,0OO, in round
numbers, and you, who compose a
part of this vast number have met
mere today to celebrate its anniver-
sary. The principles of truth and
charity the foundation stones of this
order, are few principles that are
welded into the foundation of oul
towns and villages, our cities anc
countries, our states and nations
You have representatives in all walks
Of life, from the highest to the low
est, the farmer, the merchant, the
mechanic, the doctor, the lawyer
the county, state and national of.
ficials, who have never deemed il
derogatory to their interests to rep
resent it. 1t has done its part in
building our country and assisting
our towns and cities in their growth
and development. This order few
years ago added to its strength By
giving to the Daughters of Rebekal
place and a part to perform in it
onward progress, which have car
ried it into your homes and Their,
laying the foundation for the educa
ton of the younger generation along
the lines of these principles that, il
few years, will tend to make then
steady and reliable citizens that vii
WELD the scepter and compose par
that is SO necessary in the building
up of our commonwealth. We hav,
speaker that will address you THU
afternoon, who will make you glat
that you are here This speake
will impress upon your minds SOM
few ideas which, it is hoped, 20,
will carry home with you and 'pon
der them WE'LL" Again | bid 20,
all a loyal, hearty welcome to all tn
privileges of our little city.
Following the mayors speech A
D. Brown sang The Bandolero yer
delightfully."- as was evidenced by tn
applause Of the audience. Chair
man Leroy then regretted that 9th
er and more important duties ha,
prevented G. ID. Snyder from re
spending as was expected but thos
present were quite consoled by tn