The Wisconsin weekly blade. [volume] (Madison, Wis.) 1916-1925, 1918-10-03
EMANCIPATION PROCLA-
NATION
To the Members of the G. u. o. o.
F. in America.

Let us submit III the spirit of
the immortal Declaration of Amer
lean independence that, when in
the course of human events, it be-
comes necessary for free people
to overthrow tyrannical and ar
bitrary administration which has
continually harrassed and burden
ened them as a fraternal union, a
decent regard for the opinion Of
mankind recognizes that they
should disclose the cause which
impelS them to act
But, when long train of abuses
and usurpation, pursuing invaria-
bly, the same object, evinceS de-
sign to reduce society to an abso-
lutte despotism, it is their right,
their duty, to overthrow such tyr
amy and safeguard the future
with a government by the consent
of the governed. Such has been
the patience and sufferance of the
Odd Fellows of this country, and
such is the necessity, which con
strains them to act. and to set
forth the reasons therefor.
The administration of the af-
, fairs of the Order by the present
S. G. NJ. is history of repeated
injuries and usurpationS of the
rights of the brotherhood in Amer
lea, all having in direct object
self-perpetuation III Office and
greed. In proof thereof, let the
facts be submitted to a candid and
impartial public opinion; to-wit--
The S. G. NJ. has permanently
retarded the growth Of the Order
in the states by hauling innocent
members thousands of miles from
home on trumped-up charges of
contempt as a means of brow
beating the membership and leng-
thening their term of office.
2.
The S. c. NJ. has reduced the
membership i'll America from five
hundred thousand members under
Houston in 1910, to approximately
two hundred thousand under Nor
ris in 1918. and practically de
pleted the treasury from $4,000
in 1910 to literal bankruptcy i'll
1918.
Arbitrary and burdensome tax
atiOnS have been imposed upon
the Odd Fellow people without
their consent and over their pro-
test, in order to afford graft to
the plunderers. Laws have been
changed to suit the personal ends
of the S. c. NJ, and the funds
of the Order have been diSsipated
in furtherance Of their political
fortunes; and if the members
ATTEMPTED to protest they were
ruled for contempt, and tried in
their absence miles away from
home.
The Odd Fellows Journal, the
official organ Of the Order, has
been converted into personal
sheet, and to advance the person
al propaganda Of the present $.
C.. NJ. The organ Of the Order has
been used as IA big stick to keep
in line any member or members
who dares dispute the power of
the mighty $. G ! NJ.
The people have been denied
their inalienable right to choose
either their place or time Of meet
ing or select their officers. All of
these inlienable rights Of a free
membership have been usurped by
the Grand Master and the S. c.
M. We have been divested of
self-government and our court Of
final decision has been transferred
to 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 ex-
pulsion from the Order.
Al Of these injustices and inju-
ries have been imposed on a long
suffering people under the guise
of Friendship, Love and Truth.
Peace, Happiness and Prosperity.
5.
Our meetings-State and Ma
tional - have been postponed
with impunity, and the term Of
office of the present S. c. NJ. ex-
tended by proclamation instead Of
by election. Taxation without rep
resentation has been the rule
Laws written upon the books bv
the express will of the people in
the congress Of our Order have
been spoken out of existence by