| Show elks in great herds take possession of salt lake city and hold their reunion in mormon tabernacle salt lake cit august 12 elks from aery state in the union thousands of them gathered in the great tabernacle of the mormon church this morning to attend the formal opening of the annual reunion of the grand lodge of elks the immense oval structure seats over tight thousand people but many more than that a large proportion clad in the white and purple uniform of the order were crowded into alie auditorium when lion 0 W powers of salt lake as master of ceremonies called the meeting to order and introduced governor wells of utah ano delivered the opening speech of welcome to the visiting elks all night long and all day trains loaded with elks continued to arrive until the wide streets of the city re an kaleidoscopic view in color the arple and uniforms of the marching marc ning elks the uniformed bands with the banners the miles of bunting in the royal purple of the elks and the national colors forming a striking picture it was estimated today that nearly visitors were in the city preceding the open meeting at the tabernacle was the civic and military parade which the faunal opening of the days reunion in this were included a battalion of the twelfth unite states infantry and and twenty second batteries of ar 1 l lery stationed at fort douglas in coin anand of col J W bubb a battalion of the first infantry troop A first cavalry and battery A light N G L uniformed members of all altah lodges of elks and doens of other civic military and fraternal organizations in accompanied by a score of bands and many picturesque floats the parade marched through the principal business streets passed mhd reviewing eland at slain and third south streets to the corner of first south and west temple streets where the parade was dismissed perfect weather greeted the visitors last night rain had laid the dust and cooled the air and a cool breeze from the canyons made conditions perfect for the parade which was witnessed by thousands the crowds forming a solid mass on both tides of the streets along the whole line of parade the exercises at the were brief though impressive after prayer an d a selection on the immense auditorium organ the second largest in the world grand exalted ruler pickett ot waterloo la was introduced and delivered his annual address he spoke in part as follows after preaching the gospel of elk doni at frequent internals during tha year past it might seem that the sub act would become a trite one it is paid by who have been privileged to gaze upon the works of the great matters that the longer you behold them the more you compare them with other works of art the more beauties are unfolded to your the more I 1 study the birth and history and principles of the more t compare it with other great civic the boore 1 bee in it to admire to cherich and to love it i not the creature af pf accident it is not for the passing day it has a permanent and abiding place among the enduring forces of progress the centuries preceding made it possible it was foreordained fore ordained by the irresistible logic of human advancement the time was ripe for its birth over its cradle destiny waved its prophetic wand and the myriad invisible voices of the future rang forth in glorious anthem hail hail hail there is among all the forces of civilization an interdependence and close relationship an analysis of progress reveals a broadening in all human thought the definition of freedom is being enlarged in scope and comprehension as the years go by the emancipated seem anxious to atone for the bigotry of former times on every side may be seen the manifestation 0 a higher life a broader thought a more humane conception of the relations of man to man in perfect harmony and sympathy with the influences that have wrought these wonderful changes and keeping sarp with the grand army of progress stands today the benevolent and tive order of alks should commend itself to the judgment of all honest minds it possesses many possibilities for good it is a many sided order while fraternal in character it differs from all fraternal organizations it has no prototype it is an american order horn beneat li the stars and of our own republic in every instinct it is american its paramount principles are symbolical of our people believes in charity teaches charity practices charity not the charity that can be estimated in dollars and cents not the charity that seeks reward through public ap plaue but doing good for its own sake charity without ostentation i the great law of our order but we believe in a higher char icv charity in speech in conduct in friendship in love in all the relations of man to man true charity always uplifts the fallen strengthens the weak assists the unfortunate the erring be the friendlee friend les and clasps within ia loving arms all who need the and sympathy and love of human hearts the portals of are thrown ade to all manly applicant appl cant rt draws no distinctions in the republic of our and democracy of pur ideas 11 are equal our order aad not destructive the f parit of iconoclasm dwells not within its circles it molests no temple desecrates no altar profaner profanes pro fanes no sanctuary it robab no man of his faith attacks no creed crit ibises no sect it shadows no dawn darkens no hope saddens no love it does not seek to supplant the church or unsure its function its religion is humanity its creed is friendship its golden rule the love of fellow men which embraces and includes within itself the best the noblest ahe eruest impulses of the human heart the first meeting of the grand lodge will be held in the assembly hai this and the actual work of the grand lodge of elks will then begin after the presentation of the annual report the election of oh acera will be taken up it is possible also that the selection of the meeting place of the next reunion will be decided upon though this may go over until tomorrow for this seems to have narrowed down to baltimore and saratoga with baltimore apparently the favorite richmond va has withdrawn and most of its strength will go to the maryland metropolis the lata for officers appears to be as fol dowst ran d exalted hular george P cronk omalia grand secretary george saginaw midi to be reelect re elect ed orand treasurer ed orris mead tal 5 grand lecturing knight II 11 A Co leinan milwaukee grand knight J C pickens denver grand leading knight mr brock kentucky grand trustee J D orliea OS liea there ia probability of a lively light over onic of the however tho band prize contest arranged for the visiting bands will comm mence this afternoon at liberty park eight banus competing |
