The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1916-05-19
THE WOODMEN IN CONVENTION


World, was held in Athena Wednes-
day. Delegates from every county in
Eastern Oregon except Lake and Kla-
math were eligible and large num-
Ter of Camps were represented.
Ii response to Mayor Watts address
Of welcome, Judge FitzGerald of Camp
Al, Pendleton. responded as follows:
"Mr. Mayor and Citizens Of Athena:
To me has been delegated the task
Of making it reply to your hospitable
address Of welcome, and suoh has been
The hearty and whole-souled welcome
accorded TO US, that it is with diff
dence that I address myself to you Oh
this occasion.
"Mr. Mayor and Citizens Of Athena,
on behalf of the members Of this Dis
triot Convention and on behalf of our
great Order, thank you for your bos-
pitality and assure you that il will
long be remembered by the delegates
present on this occasion.
"But 1t is meet that we should be
able to give reasun for our being
with you on this occasion, and that
reason is that we love our Order and
all that it stands for, and are assem-
bled here to do our duty in the per-
petuation Of its principles and benef-
cent objects.
at is the greatest Fraternal organ
ization west of the Mississippi river.
Its jurisdiction embraces nine West
ern States and Territories. 1t has
present mem bership Of over 1l5.O00
and is still growing, thereby insuriug
the protection Of $4,000 American
homes. 1t is ON sound, financial
basis. having surplus in its contin
gent aud benefit funds of over ST.
10000 At small monthly pay
ment, each member may have mon-
ument at cost not to exceed $4,000
erected over his grave. Its ritual
teaches great moral lessons that make
its mem bers better men, better hus-
bands, letter fathers and better cit
izens. No member of our Order is
ever forgotten, ever forsaken, but is
ever kept in remem brance. On the
first Sunday in June Of each year the
grave Of each member of our order
who has passed the silent river is WIS.,
tied by the living members and decor
ated with beautiful flowers. It ia dis
tributiug to the widows and orphans
Of our deceased mem beIs each month
an average of at least $3.50, 1000 in in.
suranoe thereby iusuring their protec-
tion and the education and nurture Of
their little ones; and last but not least,
it teaches it's mbers lessons of pat
iiotism and veDeration for the flag Of
our country.
"My friends, have you ever thought
what that flag stands fol2 1t stands
for the highest and best that is in
American citizenship from the time
that the Quaker hands of Betsy Ross
first fashioned it into robe of Glory
to the present time. 1t has stood for
the blood of patriots, the wisdom of
statesmen aud the protection of the
Amerioau home and hreside. 1t is
tho flag Of Bunker Hill and Lundy
Land, OF Buena Vista and Chepultepek.
1t blossomed and famed mid the SHOWS
of Alaska aud planted a watohfire on
the Island of Hawaii. 1t romped with
Freedom In the bays Of Manila and
rode with Victory in the bay of San
tiago. II gnashed the roekribbed
mountains and caused the waters of
the oceans TO miugle. 1t is the flag
that has uever known surrender, IL ls
the inspiration and the hope of the
oppressed of every race and cline; it
is the champion of every human right,
the flag that ia destined to free the
world from wrong and usher in the
Thousand years of Peace
Suuh lessons as these are doutly
appropriate at this time when the ma
tions Of the world are engaged in
gigantic struggle based upon self ag-
grandisement, and when all patriotic
citizens of this Republic are striving
for peace, but preparing to resent ag-
gression.
''For these and for many other rea-
sons, Mr.. Mayor, we love our Order
and are here today iu it's service aud
we feel and know that from the result
of our deliberations here today and
from the lessons to be taught in Ath-
ena Camp tonight, that II at some
future time we should desire to visit
your fair city, that we will be met at
its gatas by the smiling aud hospitable
oountenauoe of its Mayor and citizens
ani again hear the hospita BILE aud tai
ismanio greeting, Welcome, Wood
men Of the World Again, thank
you"
+. NJ. Sexton of The Dalles, DR.. ].
D, Plamondou of this city, aud f. P.
McDeyitt of Sumpter, were elected as
delegats to the head camp which will
meet in Denver, July IL. Pendieton
is the next convention city.
| ~ tuc cNeuiuk, uiNeE iui'iahu6
class into the order, splendid
banquet was served by the local
Camp, at which Geo. ", Bradley of
Psndleton presided as toastmaster,
The Convention program follows:
1880, A, NJ,
l-Osll TO Order. W. Fl. Keen, y, @.
Athena Camp No. Ill.
2--Address of Welcome, Mayor Hc-
mer |. Watts.
5--Response, Judge Thos. Fitzgerald,
| Camp No, Al,
i-Electiou of Temporary Officers.
disappointment Of Committees.
| 900 +. Nj.
Report of Com. on Credentials.
7--Eleotion of Permanent Officers.
Selection OF Head Camp Delegates.
9-RepoIts OF Committees.
l0--Seleoiion Of next meeting place.
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