Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-05-23

Office Of the Grand Exalted Ruler. Ben
evolent and Protective Order Of Elks
Of the United States Of America.
New Orleans, May i, 1917.
My Dear Brothers.:
Since the United States has declared
that a state of war exists with Germany.
30 many members of our Order have
written this office and inquired what
would be the effect thereof upon the
coming Grand Lodge session in July,
that it is the duty Of the Grand Exalted
Ruler to communicate to the Order in
general what. after consultation and de-
liberation, has been concluded.
1t has now been the unbroken prece-
dent of half century for the Order to
annually assemble and nothing has done
more than this to cement us together and
to strengthen the distinctively national
character of the Order. Local or state
wide Elk reunions, beneficial though they
are in some features. take from rather
than add to this result.
If the Boston meeting was a detriment
at this time to the nation at large what
ever good it might do to the Order Of
Elks, it should not be held. Our country
comes before our Order
1t is perfectly clear that, whilst this
nation is the richest and most powerful
in the world, and that the patriotism Of
its people is great, this patriotism is not
now thoroughly aroused and those rich
es and power are not fully prepared to
certainly prevail in a struggle with 9TH
err strong nations. Hence, it is that our
country's leaders are devoting their en-
ergies to arOuSing dormant patriotism
into action and making it's resources fit
ted for the tasks that lie before us.
The Order Of Elks is not only a great
American order, but it is a great prac-
teal order, and we should respond to the
line Of action SnRPoStaI q
of the nation. The task, however, is one
of many months and not of a few days
But two months will pass before the
Boston meeting, and by it much good car
be done in this direction.
Our duty then is clear-we SHOULD
more than ever meet this year, because
we have a higher task to do. The SOC
ial and fraternal features should be les
sened and the practical and patriotic
features brought to the front.
Not as summer pleasure, but as
real duty, all good Elks should assemble
this year and help to consider and wise
ly determine what the Order in the fut
ure should undertake.
Should we devote our energies to en-
couraging enlistment? Should we ait
the Red Cross in it's noble work? Should
we bend our efforts to prevent a lack OF
food supply? What is the problem W.
are best fitted to help to solve? I DE-
not know.
The Grand Lodge should determine it
All good Elks should sit at it's council
board.
The scene for this great epoch in Elk
dom is set in the splendid city Of Bos
ton. at the foot Of Bunker Hill, within
sight of Lexington and Concord ant
near the classic shades Of Harvard
Here lies the very cradle Of American
liberties and American letters. Rici
with the traditions Of our country:
past, no better place could be found fol
the great American Order to assembl,
and drink in the renewed inspiration
given by the scenes that surround thi:
historic town. We will return to ou
homes with stronger devotion to ou
cause and higher resolves to do our full
duty by the nation.
May not the Order ask that its mem
bership justify its successful past ant
guarantee more secure future by at
tending, every man who can, this mos
important meeting and determining tn,
lines Of its destiny for years to come?
Sincerely and fraternally,
EDW. w. RIGHTOR,
Grand Exalted Ruler
FRED c. ROBINSON,
Grand Secretary.