The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-09
State Convention
Of P. O. S. of A.

> white heated interior and the door
closed on him forever. The next
; morning they had to ornate another
man. The door was thrown open
when a voice from within cried out:
"Who dat openin dat do lettin' de
cole air in hea. =" You good people
have opened the doors of your hearts
and taken us in, and no one will
dare open the door to let the cool
air in. l was certainly very much
pleased to learn that FIT. Lauderdale
had been selected for this State
Camp meeting, a better selection
could not have been made. The fact
that you have one of the youngest
and most prosperous camps in the
state, and the fact that we are meet
ing here during the first of your ex-
istence as subordinate camp of the
state of Florida, should prove an in
spiration to your local camp, and
cause them to renew their efforts
and help you to grow and become
the rival of the camps at Jackson
vile and Key West. You are to be
congratulated upon being in a posi-
tion to entertain the State Camp at
all during the first year of your ex-
istence. We are proud of the fact
that you are up and doing. and
trust that you may continue to
prosper and grow.
MT. Mayor, l thank you and the
good people of this city for the
happy words you have spoken. /
thank my patriotic brothers for their
greetings, and u can we'll believe
that with such men, and such senti-
ments, our order, and the great
movements for which we are banded
together, are in safe hands.
Mr.. Mayor, l have watched this
city grow from a small village to its
present proportions. Situated like
you are on the banks of the New
River, with almost the depth of the
) ocean, with the capacity to accom-
modate the commerce of the coun-
' try. With back country, that is
: equal to any in the world and su-
Y period to most, with harvests in suf-
s ticient quantities to feed the starv-
o ing of all nations, with fruits and
Y vegetables fit for the most discrim-
e mating. I always knew you must
grow, no power could keep you back
r Now that l have seen the growth
J. and your prosperity, the happiness
l. of your good people and the sturdy
a character of your citizenship, l an
l. rejoiced at the sight.
If Your lives have indeed been cast
sr along pleasant lines, and l only obey
the injunction of Holy Writ, wher
st say I envy you. st. Paul say
"covet earnestly the best gifts.
is You have them, and God continue I,
is shower his gifts upon you, which you
is so richly deserve.
Id Now, again accept my SINGER
E. thanks, and the thanks of thes
DR. good brothers, who are here from al
es portions of the state, for your cor
i dial welcome, for your sincere word
of of greetings and for all the evidenc
r of your love and hospitality, whicl
es we see on every hand. From on
j. hearts, we thank you"
re Miss Kraft played another sol
1T and Col. Reed paid splendid tribut
l. to the ladies whom he said were a
Sc all times ready to aid any worth
cause, that they stood for best in
n terests and were the breeders @
en- civic pride. Here the meeting ad
of journed and the delegates repaire
tie to the home Of the order where the
e. went into secret session for the pull
re pose of electing new officers an
lis transacting other business connecte
It. with the order.
ey President Beecher called the cor
Id vention to order stating the objeC
nd of the meeting. He then named
of committee on credentials. After thei
to report they ADJOURNED for dinner I
ur meet at 2 p. m. Upon re-assemblin
i'll President Beecher delivered his al
on nual address. His praise to ou
to town wa gratifying, and his tribut
to Fit. Lauderdale Camp was beat
ad tiful sentiment coming from the sol
a of truth. Mr.. Beecher is a man
of good presence, and his voice has ii
mis- right infection for the embelishmeI
he of oratory. In retiring from IL
he presidency he carries with him Il
be- warmest esteem of the order. A r
be- port from ]. w White was read ar
ow approved. In said report Broth
, a White complimented Key West al
led FIT. Lauderdale as being the tv
he first camps in the state. He paid
zen high compliment to President Beec
it's Ter, who he said had been untirir