The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1918-10-04
Odd Fellows Issue
Emancipation Proclamation

5sS We ss9'sts@s e *ssass
0feeting -
4 Let us submit in the spirit OF the
Immortal Declaration of American IN
dependence that when IN the course
of human events, II becomes necessary
for . free people to overthrow . ty-
ganrical and arbitrary administration
which has continually harrassed and
bsirdaned them as fraternai union,
d descent regard for the opinion of
mankind recognizes that they should
disclose che cause which ilnpels them
10 act~--
But, when q long train Of abuses
and iasarpation, pursuing invariably
the same object, evinces design to
reduce society to an absolute despot-
isfs. II u their right. their duty, TO
overthrow such tyranny and safe
gasrd the future with b government
by the consent OF the governed. Such
has been the patience and snfferance
OF the Odd Fellows Of this country,
and such ii the necessity, which con
atraina thenn to act, and to set forth
the reasons therefor.
The administration of the affairs of
the Order by the present G. M. is
history Of repeated injuries and
usorpations of the rights of the
brotherhood In America, all having
In direct object self perpetuation in
office and greed. III proof thereof
let the facts be submitted to candid
and irnpartiai public opinion; to-wit
/.
The S. c. M. has permanently re-
farded the growth Of the Order in
the states by hauling innocent mem
bers thousands Of miles from home
On trunnpsd-up charges OF contempt as
! means of hrow-beating the member
ship and lengthening their term Of
oEzace.
q.
The q. @. nj. hes reduced the mem
besahip III America from Ave hundred
Thousand members. under Houston In
1910 Il, approximately two hundred
thousand nnaer Morris III 1918, and
practically depleted the trAaaury from
$4,000 In 1910 TO literal bankruptcy
In 1913.
Arbitrary and burdensone taxa
sfons have been imposed upon the
Odd Fellow people without their con-
sent and over their protest, in order
20 afford graft to the plundererss
Laws have been changed to suit the
PERSONAL ends Of the s. c.. M, and
tbs funds of the Order have been dis
aipated in furtherance of their politi-
cal fortunes; and if the members at
tempted TO protest they were ruled
for contempt, and tried in their alb
sence miles away from home.
The Odd Fellows Journal, the off,
eial organ Of the Order, has been con-
verted into a personal sheet, and to
advance the personal propaganda of
the present S. G. M. The organ of
the 02der has been used as a big
atiek to keep In line any member or
members who dares dispute the power
Of the mighty s. G. ~.
i.
The people have. been denied their
inalienabie right to choose either their
place or time of meeting, or select
tSaeir officers. All Of these inalienable
rights Of q free membership have
been usurped by the Grand Master
and che 8. G. M. We have been di-
vested Of self~government and our
court Of final decision he's been trans
fesred to an English authority, and
we are denied the constitutional right
given US by our country to have our
property rights passed upon in the
courts Of the state in which we live
under the threat Of expulsion from the
Order.
Ali OF these injustices and injuries
have been imposed on q long-suffering
people under the guise Of Friendship,
Love and Truth, Peace, Happiness and
Prosperity.
s.
Our meetings State and National
have been postponed with ifnpunity,
ana The term Of office Of the present
s. G. NJ extended BY proclamation in
stead of by election. Taxation with
out representation has been the rule
Laws written upon the books by
the express viii Of the people IN the
congress oil cur Order have been
spoken out of existence by the arbi-
trary ssiet DC the Is. G. Nj, and ail
right of petition and redress denied
che membership.
IN 1912, the term of Office of the
s. G. M. was axtendlsd by The arbi-
a!rarv adjournment kswn wears. In