Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1919-09-25
Thousands Attend !. 0. OF.
Centennial Celebration.
March Through Streets OF Bal
timOre In Greatest Fraternal
Parade In The City's History.

timOre In Greatest Fraternal
Parade In The City's History.
Perhaps the greatest fraternal pageant
which ever passed through the streets of
Baltimore was the centennial parade of
| the independent Order of Odd Fellows,
which on September 18th marched 40
blocks through that city, with %, 600 Odd
Fellows in line from every State in the
Union, every province of Canada and
from Australia, New Zealand and other
parts of the world 1t took more than
two hours to pass Mayor Broening's re-
viewing stand and went without hitch.
Fully $4,000 of this army were in uni
form and full regalia of Office. There
were Is historical and picturesque floats,
depicting the inspiration, origin and dra-
matte episodes of Oddfellowship. High
lights of this moving history of the order
also were furnished by the officers of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge in their colorful
uniforms ornamented with sashes of gold
braid and diamond and enamel decorations,
and with jeweled swords on their hips.
The Patriarchs Militant, with their pur-
ple-plumed or crimson plumed cock ed hats
and glittering sashes and swords, pre-
sented a brave appearance.
Another feature which drew prolonged
applause all along the crowded route Of
the parade was the Naomi Lodge of Re-
bekahs, the only large group of women of
the LOCO in line of march who were on
foot. They were dressed in attractive
costumes, carried many banners and were
led by one of the jazziest bands heard
throughout the day. There were al brass
bands and one orchestra (Which was silent)
in line, and were a very important part
of the parade Baltimore and Washing
ton We're bout depleted of their supply of
Wind-instrumental talent, and additional
musical material and personnel were
drawn from Philadelphia, Wilmington,
Detroit, Cincinnati and ether distant
points. Nobody was forced to march
without martial and jazz music, and sew
era times three different tunes smote
the ear simultaneously.
Action which possibly will mean ser
ious loss to Odd Fellowship, but which
was considered necessary from the view
point of patriotism, was taken by the |
Sovereign Grand Lodge of the order.
This was the passage of resolution re-
quiring compliance with the wartime or
der for the absolute prohibition of any !
language except English in lodge meet
ings and the ritual of Odd Fellows. 1t is
possible that many foreign language
lodges scattered throughout the country, !
but centerng chiefly in New York, where
alone there are 6O-odd foreign-speaking
lodges, may defy the mandates of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge or withdraw |
from the order. 1t was realized that in |
many cases such a law would hamper !
many men who had reached the middle !
age without learning English, but the |
Sovereign Grand Lodge thinks such law !
vital to the order in maintaining its
Americanism. and requires that the ritual
be in English in all lodges after January ,
/, next. The resolution is virtually an |
extension of time on the war order.
Almost startling was its condemnation
of anything in its lodges or ritual smack
ing of the hyphen or of anything except
the purest American patriotism.
Of the 2l9 grand representatives of .
the Sovereign Grand Lodge present lO7 .
of them travelled much more than 1850
miles to get here, IA of them live more
than 5000 miles away; 20 more than
1900 and "a more than ] 200 which makes
a total of 1874 200 miles for the l07 men.
The Adelphia Rebekah Lodge No. 574
and Arcadia Lodge, No. TT, of Philmont
N. Y, have the honor of being repre-
scented at the convention by man not
yet out of the army service. He is
George C. Becker, who is with he trans
portation department of the army
Young Mems Christian Association in
this city.
The Idaho delegation was rong the
long distance bunch and they also brought
souvenirs to make their memory live
longer.