Semi-weekly herald., 1914-06-18

would desire their protection il our
lives, liberties or property were in
danger
The preamble to the constitution of
our order is as follows:
TO inculcate the principles of
charity, justice, brotherly love and
fidelity; TO promote the welfare and
happiness of its members; to quicken
the snirit of American patriotism:
to perpetuate itself as fraternaI
organization, and to provide for its
government the Benevolent and Pro-
teetive Order of Elks of the United
States of America ordains this con-
stitution."
We are not political organization.
The order makes no effort to con-
troll the vote of any of its members
on any political question and we are
forbidden to bring anything of DO
litical or sectarian nature into the
order, but, nevertheless, as Elks it
is our bounden duty to uphold the
constitution and laws of this country.
AS Americans and patriots we have
adopted the flag of our country as a
symbol from which to teach one of
the grandest principles of our order
On this day in every Elk lodge in
our land services are being held in
honor of our flag and what it repre-
sents. In over 1,250 lodges, situated
in the centers of population of the
various portions of this country men
are being taught to love and rever-
ence our flag and to uphold and sus
tain the constitution and laws of the
land. We cannot discharge our duty
as Elks more fittingly than to openly
and fearlessly give our aid and sup
port to the constituted authorities
in their efforts to enforce the laws.
preserve the peace and protect per-
sons and property from mob violence.
We would be false to the obligations
We have assumed at the altar did
we do less.
Crises arise in the history of every
state and nation that call for the all
law respecting and order loving citi-
zens to show their loyalty and patriot
ism. One of those crises is now in
our state. We, as loyal Elks, cannot
afford to do other than support our
authorities.
When order has been fully restored
when the danger and threat of up-
risings have passed; when the laws
of our commonwealth are again be-
ing respected and enforced and all
factions Rave been brought to obey
and respect the laws and those in
authority; then will be the time to
investigate and place the blame for
our unfortunate state of affairs where
is properly belongs. Until that time
arrives it should be, and is, the duty
of every loyal American to stand by
the flag and what it Representatives,
dom under recognized government.
This is not the time for criticizing
the officers of our state and country
for doing or omitting to do some
thing we think ought to have been
done. The time for approving or dis
approving the acts of our officers is
at the time set by law for electing
their successors. Our laws as at
present constructed furnish adequate
means for the redress of any wrong
that may be committed either against
the person or property of the indi-
vidual or corporation. There is no
excuse for anybody to ignore those
laws, much less is there any excuse
for resortins to armed violence in
defense of pretended rights or prin-
ciples or to redress real or imaginary
wrongs. The man who in a crisis
like the present panders to, or seeks
to arouse, the passions of the ignor-
ant is lacking of some of the essen
tials that go to make good citizen
ship. Anarchy never corrected an
evil nor redressed wrong. 1t never
built a home or founded a country.
1t has never created dollar of
wealth or made human being hap
py.
Our path Of duty lies plain before
us. The time for hesitation or eva
sion is gone. Only one question for
us to decide and that is "Are we in
favor of our glorious banner and all
1t represents-freedom, equality, lib
erty, safety of our homes and the
blessings of organized society and
government, or are we in favor of
the red flag of anarchy and what it
Representatives,, ruin, pillage, de-
struction of homes and property and
the rule of mobs?"
If we are faithful to our duties
as citizens we can hand the flag
down to future generations as pure
and as holy as when our forefathers
rallied to its support. We can call
on them to reverence its folds and
be inspired by its history. A flag
that never oppressed the most hum
hIa. n fiox- fhak