THE ODD FELLOWS’ DINNER

Marlborough Express, Volume V, Issue 261, 19 November 1870, Page 4

THE ODD FELLOWS’ DINNER

To the Editor of the Marlborough Express. Sir, —After-dinner speeches are proverbial for being indiscreet ; let us hope we have an example of the truth of the opinion in the remarks of knowing John, after having dined on the 9th instant. “Odd Fellowship, the establishment of which was once opposed by certain Governments, because, being a secret society, it was thought to be dangerous to the State, but such ideas were exploded in England many years ago.” Such are John’s remarks ; and then, I suppose, just to show that Governments were wrong in thinking that Odd Fellowship could be dangerous to the State, before he sits down he tells us that “ He would tell any Government who dared to insult the Odd Fellows, that they would find opposition spring up of which they never dreamed, and coming from whence they would never know. (Applause.)” 1 think John had better go back to statistics and figures, as he said was “ his usual custom,” for certainly be is not to be trusted with logic—at least, after dinner. Great is Odd Fellowship—Governments are nothing to us. Let them insult us—by not letting us feed in their halls, for instance—and down they shall go. We will stab them in the hack—in the dark. Nay, worse than that, because men might suppose such a thing ; but our organisation has such marvellous resources, that we can set up opposisition to Governments of which they never dreamed, and, more mysterious still, it shall come “from whence they would never knoiv .” It makes one stand in terror —one’s hair creeping up on end. Let us hope there is something of the after-dinner in this, or really it becomes too dreadful to live with such an awful agency near us, ready to be let loose upon such trifling occasions as a fancied insult. Doubtless these wholesome statements and threats will have quite satisfied all Governments, and everybody else, that it is entirely a mistake to imagine that secret societies may be dangerous to Governments, or to anyone ! Highly gratified with the logical manner in which the latter part of John’s remarks demonstrated the correctness of the beginning of the same, 1 am, &c.. Observer.