The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-03-08


the coming of the brighter day when
universal equity will reign supreme.
| Friends Love Strong. '
! Love OF life itself is not more uni
versal than the attachment of friends
for each other. These principles are
at the foundation OF the tribe, the
home, the state and the nation. Away
back in the dim and misty past, so
far that history fails to clearly chron-
icle the transporting events, we trace
in the traditions of men, the exist.
ence Of these factors. These it was
that induced men to gather them
selves together in tribal relation, the
earliest known form of association.
Following this came the division of
the human race into that blessed re-
lation, the family, and caused men
to rear homes where life and loved
ones might find safe shelter from all
the storms of life. Then, following
the division into a still more ad.
vanced stage Of human history, we
find men, that they might better pre-
serve the safety of life and promote
the happiness OF their loved ones.
formed themselves into states and
nations, enacted laws and sought to
advance their common interests. But,
through it all, runs these two great
factors, love of life and the attrac-
ton of friends for each other. Upon
these two distinguishing characteris-
tics has been builded all the achieve,
ments of men in every wallc of life.
But it has remained for more re.
cent period to produce the finest
flower of all the ages, frate1nal or
ganizatiOn, which has SO far out
stripped In beneficent results all the
agencies that have ever existed for
the purpose Of spreading the sun
shine Of brotherly love that one is
led to wonder how mankind existed
for so many years without discover
ing the glorious possibilities OF these
organizations. I am sure that l VIC.
late no obligation when l say that
at the altar of the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks is repeated
all that is necessary If acted upon to
make men fit associates Of those who
shall wear the robes of white in the
habitatiOns of the bleSt.
".L ord God of hosts, be with us yet
Lest we forget; lest we forget
"The seemingly irresistible tend.
ency of humanity is to forget Even
the Savior of the world. the meek and
lowly Nazarene, with the shadows OF
the cross hanging about his devoted
head, recognized this tendency OF
weak. frail humanity, when institut
ing that sublime ordinance Of the
last supper, said, AS oft as ye dc
this. do it in remembrance of Me-
Why We are Here.
Some years ago a member Of con
gress startled his colleagues by pro
pounding this somewhat INGRAM
NAUTICAL but forceful query, What
are we here for?' So it might be
said, why this assemblage?' Why
should we not, when the spirit, the
life. the man himself has forever
taken his departure from earthly
scenes, dismiss all thoughts Of the
dead and not seek to resurrect these
precious memories? These friends
of ours, sleeping in their windowless
palace of rest are careless alike o.
our criticism or our praise. No tone
of the human voice, no note of music
will reach their ears, so far as we
are able to know. Recognizing tha
these dear ones of ours had theil
faults, let US cover them over witt
the broad mantle of charity. But, my
friends, and here is the supreme les
son of the hour, let us not forget a
the same time to use the same
mantle for the faults of the living
Here in the presence of these friend:
and loved ones. surely it is fitting
that we highly resolve that we will
be just little truer, just little
more faithful to our obligations. L
is not the mere external tinsel ant
show that makes the order of Elks
the warm hearted, chivalri2 body
that it is. And among the lesson:
that are taught in our ritual, none
is more impressive than the duty O
indicating and protecting the home
and freside of a brother. No brighter
Jewel decks the triumphal garland
or sparkles in the diadem of Elkdou
than regard FOR woman and care fol