The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-16
knights of Pythias Working for
General Uplift of All.
Thirty-Fiv States and Several
Foreign Nations Represented.
MARDI GRAS PARADE TONIGHT
Six Thousand Delegates to
March ON Kansas Avenue.
Enthusiastic Over Reception
Given by Topeka and State.

Help" is the slogan of the
supreme lodge of Knights of Pythias,
of North America, South America.
Europe, Asia. Africa and Australia,
and the supreme court of Calanthe
the womans branch now in session
in Topeka and will be here until Sat
urday. The men and women are
working for the moral, intellectual
and financial uplift of their race, and
are demonstrating the wonderful pro-
sress made by the negro in the last
sixty years. There are 5000 delegates
in attendance.
Among the delegation are doctors.
lawyers, bankers, college presidents
and professors, teachers, editors, stem
ficials, housewives, dressmakers-in
fact every line of business profession
or occupation followed by members of
the race is represented and are taking
a conservative stand for their uplift.
Thirty-five states, and the District of
Columbia are represented.
The supreme lodge opened at 1890
in the house of representativ cham
Der, presided over by S. w. Green,
of New Orleans, La, one of the most
noted men of his race, and a leader
of men.
I'VE feel welcome in this place"
said Supreme Chancellor Green, be
cause Governor Henry Allen, who is
in every particular a man, told US so,
and this is indeed fine place which
Kansas has provided for US to meet in
We are here to help humanity, and to
give inspiration to our people. Kan
sas itself is inspiration, and we are
glad to breath this free wholesome air.
Doctrine of SeIf-Help.
1--WE are preaching the doctrine of
self-help. No man should sit down
and depend on another to do for him
what he should do for himself, and
the same applies to races. We realize
that the world is no longer asking
about our parents and what they
could do. but demand of each indi-
yiduaI who are you and what can you
do? Can you fill the place of a man.
and if not stand aside. Let US now
turn attention to the opening of the
supreme lodge"
The .Pythian ode was sung, and was
followed by the. opening prayer by
the Rev. DIR. n. c. Nicks, of Orange
b.rg. S. c. Doctor Nicks prayed for
the health, prosperity sof the president
of the United States, the governor or
Kansas, mayor of Topeka. and all the
other state and city officials. A spe-
ciaI prayer was said for Supreme
Chancellor Green, the sage of the
negro race, the conservative, manly
| lQer OF MS people, "A P6llllOh was
made to the throne to wipe out crime,
criminality, lynching and mob vio-
lence. "God grant that this country
shall ever be the land of the free and
the home of the brave,"
Missouri Without Pass Word.
In the opening, the grand lodge of
Missouri was without the wedding gar
ment, so to speak. that is the repre-
sentatives were without the pass word,
Av.f To a II CnnaG6
of explanation, Grand Chancellor
LLOYD vas requested to retire until
after the opening, and the other repre-
sentatiyes from Missouri were request
ed to report to their grand chancellor.
The matter will be taken up later.
Grand Chancellor S. H. Thompson
of Kansas in turning over the hall to
the supreme lodge, sail that "all OF
Kansas are glad to have you in the state
and we hope many of you will see III
70 return to us. The people of Kansas
regardless of race or color join in ex-
tending you welcome, and Topeka is
wide open to you as you heard eX-
pressed bv our mayor last night" Doc
tor Thompson is one OF the most noteo
negro physicians in the state and is
rendering a great service for his peo-
pie. 49,
Following the opening a committee
on credentials was appointed consist
Johnson, District of Columbia; j. H.
Westbrooks. Colorado; Samuel How
ard. PENNSYLVANIA, and Harrison
Gould. of Iowa There were many
little questions brought up during the
morning session. Some short talks
were made.
Greatest Convention.
This bids fair to be one of the
greatest sessions in the history of the
order" declared DIR. ]. H. P. West
brooks, of Denver. Colo. a member of
the staff of the city and county hos
pitals there. land many of our men
are on Kansas soil for the first time.
This is the largest convention of our
people ever held in Kansas and we
are sure that much good will result. "
The committee on credentials re-
ported this morning.
The Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of Calanthe as
/ sembeld in the state supreme court
room, with Ernest G. Harrington. of
Indiana, supreme worthy counsellor,
presiding He was elected to the Of
flee two years ago. at the session held
in Atlantic City, n. J., and this is his
first time to fully be in charge of the
order as presiding officer.
In calling the supreme court to or
der, he went at it like an old hand at
the business. as he is a man of ability
and experience, being a prominent
lawyer of the state. Il am delighted
to be here with you" he said, "and
TO see so many of you present You
are the wives and daughters. and sis
I ters and mothers of the brave knights
+ of this supreme jurisdiction" he said.
'and you are working by our side in
this work of reaching the unreached.
and making better men and women.
/ out of our boys and girls. I believe