The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1909-07-22
PY'I'HlANS
o NIDIIsSISSIPPE HOLD MOST IN
TERESTING SESSION. .. -
Reports of Grand chancellor and
Grand Master OF Exchequer Show
Marvellous Progress Of the Order
and Good balance in the Treasury.

Il
meetings ever held in this place has
just closed, the Eureka Grand Lodge
Of knights of Pythias, for Missis-
sippi. This is said to be the largest
convention ever held in this place by
any race, and the influence for good
will long be felt In Moss Point.
The opening session was held Mon
day morning, when John w. Harris,
Of Meridian, the Grand Chancellor
called the Grand Lodge to order, and
made short talk. He briefly out
lined the work to be- considered and
| urged that each member give it his
attention. There was no business
! transacted but the work was out
lined. -.~-.. -
In the afternoon joint session Of
the Grand Lodge and the Grand
| Court Calanthe was held for the
| purposes Of hearing addresses Of well
| come and responses. Seated with
the Grand Chancellor, on the rostrum
were Supreme chancellor 8. w. Green
Of New Orleans and Grand ChanceI-
lor. Roscoe G. Simmons, of New York
and many other visitors.
The choir OF the Second Baptist
church furnished music and the
opening prayer was made by Rev
DR.. A. D. Snodgrass, of Alcorn, Miss.
Hon. H. G. HERON, represented the
| mayor Of Moss Point in an address
OF welcome. The mayor was unable
to be present. The address was to
the point and contained many good
| things. He said in part:
Il was much surprised about ten
O'Clock when I was invited to come
| here and, deliver an address Of well
| come to you. Being just plain, Or
binary business man, hesitated to
accept, particularly when not having
been in the past lkiven to public
Espeaking: Believing however, our
fcolored friends, not dnfyein. our own
immediate vicinity, but elsewhere,
| should be encouraged in every move
| that tends to the moral and mental
upl1ft Of the race. that will broaden
! their vision on any question, said
| to the committee, do not know what
sort of a speech I will make, but
will be there and do the best I can
This Is my apology for; appearing be-
fore you If any is needed.
with ample time for preparation
any talk l might make would not be
| extended, for such Is not my forte.
Under present circumstances, where
1t was practically impromptu, If you
anticipate any extended address or,
oratorical phyrotecnics I can say in
advance, you will be disappointed.
Il assume from your name that
your order is founded ON that beau
tiful story Of Damon and Pythias
which we have all read, or should
read, wherein Is taught friendship,
Fellowship and brotherhood in the
highest ideal. 1t is story worthy
of emulation by all without regard
to race or sect. In following it's ten
cts, however, remember that there
Is one cordial point that must be kept
lever uppermost, one point that is the
wool and watt Of that story, and that
is, recipiant Of your friendship
NC WIZ lily duu "StSuT0 10
the required standard. Do not pros
titute 1t by using it as cloak to
shield the guilty or punish the in
nocent
1T is natural for me to assume
| those delegates present represent
the intelligence and culture and are
| leaders Of their race in their respect
| i've communities. AS such have you
| considered the responsibilities that
| rests upon you? A responsibility,
perhaps, you have not sought, but
one nevertheless, you cannot escape.
1t is to you that your people look
| for guidance and leadership, and
| properly SO, from the wilderness Of
illiteracy and ignorance In which the
greater percent is wandering. Their
eyes are turned to you, though you
perhaps know 1t not, and that Great
Judge, public opinion looks to you
and expects you to carry we'll that
responsibility.
II do not belong to that school
of political economists who believe
that the salvation Of the Negro race
Is segregation, expectation or return
tn practical bondage; neither do /
belong to that school whose head
quarters in Boston and other places
in that section, which never permits
an opportunity to pass to condemn
the south In its treatment Of the
Negro. / believe the best friend the
Negro has is to be found here In our
sunny southland; as we understand
him and his nature more than those
whose judgement is formulated from
a distance. and when he conducts
himself along proper lines, retains
the confidence and respect of }fis
! white neighbors He ia always as
sured of q square deal