The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-09
RESPONSE BY HON. ". R.
DORmAN TO MAYORS
WELCOMING ADDRESS

Head Consul, Sovereigns Of Wood
craft, Ladies and Gentlemen:
With unusual pleasure we accept
the greeting SO Hospitality extended
and SO eloquently expressed. take
pleasure on behalf Of the State con-
vention of the Woodmen Of the
World in rendering to the good PEG
pie of Lakeland, our sincere appre-
citation for the cordial welcome
which has been extended to this as
sembly through their chief execu
tive.
1t is singularly appropriate that
the governing body Of this jurisdic-.
ton based and builded on the prin-
ciples Of fraternity should assemble
in this beautiful and progressive
city. Lakeland is noted for her
sterling business men. her enthusi
astic Woodmen, her energetic citi
zens, her fair women, and we en-
brace the opportunity with pleasure
in accepting your hospitality.
TheWOodmen of the World emerge
from the first two decades Of it's ex-
istence panoplied with success un
paralleled. Graded in the genius
and vitalized by the energies Of its
immortal founders. 1t has swept like
an eagle from the valley to the peak.
The hosts Of opposition have fallen
like the myriads Of Lucifer before
the hosts Of God. 4;
Twenty four years have flown into
the past since little band Of work :,
ers, In the prime and brilliancy OF
exalted manhood. inspired by the
noblest impulse that ever thrilled
the souls of men, planted Wood :
crafts cleaning standards on the
banks of the Missouri. Out among
the mountains of the west where the
flowers and the SHOWS divided the
kisses of the sun, the silver lips Of
these heroes were speaking the COS
pei of the new fraternity. Beneath
these standards the people gathered
not for conquest, but for country;
not for profit, but for protection;
not for battle, but for brotherhood.
And as the months have widened
into the years, and the years into
decades, the order has grown in pop :
ularity and strength until today
nearly one million Woodmen are
pouring down the crest Of the TWEEN !.
tieth century. And before another
decade shall have passed the grand
divisions of Woodcraft will march in
review before our Sovereign Camp.
this sens bursting from the serried
! ranks: 1--WE are coming twenty hun
! bred thousand strong"
It is difficult to estimate the i'm
portance OF this meeting, and the
solemnity Of its duties. The masses
Of the Florida jurisdiction have con
! fided to this body, the guardianshir
of it's growth, the formation of til
policies. It is for the Head Camps
to originate the principles and tn
measures, and elect representatives
to the Sovereign Camp. which, lik'
the scarlet thread OF Rahab, shall
lead us to safety and prosperity. I
ia for the Head Camps to protect an
strengthen the structure of the fra
ternity with the iron cables of jus
and salutary laws. 1t Is impossible
to measure by mere human calcula
, ton the responsibilities for whic
we must answer. To attempt to d
, 40 would be to assume task fore
| doomed to fail.
, The Order Of the Woodmen Of tn
World was instituted In 1890, an
. we now have an emergency re
) serve fund Of over $21,000,000; tn
. death losses paid over $5S,000.o00
monuments erected to deceased SOY
ereigns over $4,000; protection
q force almost one billion dollars; ne
r members admitted in 1914 nearl
K 100, 900; distributed to widows an
' orphans in 1914 over $6,000,00'
o This is a showing that we may we
: rejoice over and feel exceeding
o glad, and II we infuse the true spir
o Of fraternalism into our camp Iii
y and work, a greater and better hal
vest Of new workers will be gal
9 nered, but let us ever remember tn,
fraternal prosperity without fratel
I nal love, will sooner or later prov
4 to be like the house founded on Il
sand. The principles Of Woodcra
are inferior to none; its precep
n and teachings are among the loft
s est; its social and educational fes
n lures unexcelled; its business mar
: agement unrivaled for honesty ar
y skill, and its financial standing |
g firm as the rock of Gibralter.
( Woodcraft has made the create
t growth of any fraternal order of l
S age in the country. From its il
|, ception it has grown at first iii
the tiny SNOWFALL rolling down Il
mountain until 1t has become Ill
v an avalanche, sweeping every selfis
Q obstacle out of its way, and carr.
ing hope. help and blessing to all