Frank L. Smith

“ The Great Sachem in his admirable long talk said: "The mingling together of the honored brothers of the Order, the kind interchange of opinions upon the various topics introduced for consideration, the animated yet decorous discussion of various subjects, indicate too plainly for any doubt that our beloved Order is not only firmly established, but that a strong desire exists, not only to keep it in its present position, but if possible to advance it to one yet more deserving of respect. ”

“ It is an honor to wear the insignia of our Brotherhood—of the Fraternity which has done and is doing so much for man and country, but with power and influence come responsibilities, and this Great Order needs the care, support and helping hand of all who constitute its household.
To your efforts am I able to report the largest gain in membership and the largest number of new Tribes organized than ever before in the history of this Reservation. In fact, it has been said that Kentucky has made the best record of any Reservation in the United States. ”

“ Realizing that the desire of our membership is as strong, nay stronger than ever before, for the establishment of a Red Men's Widows' and Orphans' Home in our beloved State, I beg to suggest that your Representatives to the Great Council of the United States be instructed to request that Great Council to pass an enabling act which will permit you to put your desires into execution. ”

“ The Great Sachem then presented his long talk, in which he said: "The Great Book says that whom the Great Spirit loves he chasteneth; the Red Men of Kentucky certainly stand very close to the big heart of the Great Spirit, having been greatly tried in the fires of ignorance, stupidity and greed. But, brothers, methinks I see behind the dark cloud that has long enveloped Kentucky Redmanship a silver lining, denoting the rising of the sun of prosperity. ”

“ Inspired by this Spirit, animated by this faith, exemplifying these noble precepts by acts of helpfulness, Redmanship has, for many Great Suns, been a living power within this land, and at the 119 close of this Great Sun has the confidence of, and dwells in honor among a free, enlightened people.
We honor a wonderful past, and rejoice in a prosperous present, yet we know that the work of the Order has not ended, and that so long as time shall last, and the enemies of society endure, it will be necessary for this and similar Orders to exist. ”

“ We would earnestly recommend that you attend regularly the councils of your respective Tribes, for to you it is natural to look for countenance and advice. It is a too common failing that when a brother has attained the highest post of honor for him to become remiss in his duties to his Tribe, for it is his duty to attend the kindling of his council fire upon every occasion, when health and private duties permit. It is essentially the province of all past officers to guide their respective Tribes in the right path, that they go not astray and follow the path of the evil spirit. ”

“ The American Flag, the emblem of Freedom, renews in every Red Man's heart the true American spirit that was breathed into the souls of the Sons of Liberty and which later proclaimed for them their Independence. ”

“ On the recommendation of the Committee on Laws and Usage, it was ordered by the Great Council that Tribes must pay benefits to a disabled brother as long as his disability should continue. It had been the custom of Tribes to provide by a by-law to that effect that benefits should cease after a stated period. The ruling also provided that the minimum amount of benefits to be paid should be a sum equal to the dues of the brother that might accrue during his disability, or in other words, enough to keep the brother in good standing. ”

“ The spirit of Liberty was the foundation of the greatest fraternity of modern times and this same spirit of freedom that prompted the Sons of Liberty has been given additional force by the presence of the Stars and Stripes in the council chambers of the various Tribes, and engenders more thorough fraternal and patriotic feeling than any one emblem. ”

“ The history of the Improved Order of Red Men is so interwoven with the history of the struggles of the American Colonies for independence that to record the one is to repeat the other in a great measure. ”

“ The oldest truly American fraternity has grown greater, stronger and better in our Reservation and its present position fills with pride those who have assisted in its marvelous growth during the past Great Sun, and every member must rejoice in his affiliation with such a powerful thoroughly American organization. ”

“ During the five great suns of his administration of the chieftaincy of Great Chief of Records he managed the business end of the Order in the Reservation in the same methodical way that characterized his private affairs, and saw the Order grow from a membership of 5,089 to 11,950: from 65 Tribes to 182 Tribes. The lay member of the Order has no conception of the vast labors performed by a faithful Great Chief of Records, but a small portion of his duties being apparent to the casual observer. Brother Ray was ever faithful to every duty, and earned the soubrequet of "The Minute Man." ”

“ In the absence of facts whereupon to base an opinion, I am unable to offer any suggestion, except to recommend an effort individually to carry out the tenets of our Order, especially in the wigwam, and when the lessons of Freedom, Friendship and Charity shall have been thoroughly learned there, our associations with the outer world will certainly be more pleasant, and we can give our brothers in the forest as well as in the wigwam the warm grasp of friendship and another knot to the cord that binds us as brothers. ”

“ No harm can be done, and no wrong committed by the publicity of the personal wishes of a brother of our Order."
Great Sachem Russell records a vast amount of business transacted, decisions made, appointments, etc., and concludes the records of a remarkable administration as follows:—
"We come to this Great Council with every Tribe having reported and paid its per capita tax, and when the great number of Tribes in this reservation is considered, it is a remarkable condition, and it is due to the enthusiastic fraternal spirit that exists in the hearts of every Red Man in our Reservation. ”

“ Redmanship stands 113 in Kentucky unchallenged as one of the greatest benevolent fraternities of modern times, commanding the respect of all acquainted with its accomplishments, the admiration of all who know its purpose and the affection of all who participate around the council brands of our Tribes. ”

“ The Great Sachem said: "The Order in this jurisdiction is not making as rapid strides as it would if the beauties of it were more fully known. Some hunting grounds are extending their influence, while others are languishing for the want of some fraternal care. I most respectfully recommend to your earnest consideration the appointment of a suitable chief, one who has time and ability to visit all the Tribes in this reservation. ”

“ The Great Sachem, assisted by the brothers of all the Tribes in Jefferson County, organized a mammoth class adoption of 500 palefaces, and on the sleep of the 28th of Beaver Moon, G. S. D. 415, in the presence of Great Incohonee W. A. S. Bird, more palefaces were adopted than at any one time in the history of the Order in Kentucky. ”

“ It is impossible for any Great Chief without great pecuniary loss on his part to give that attention to the visiting of Tribes, which is almost absolutely necessary in what might be called the infancy of our Order in this jurisdiction. I am satisfied if this system of visiting was faithfully carried out it would increase our membership threefold and the Tribes in general gain by it. I appointed Bro. Kiteley a special deputy to institute Wyandotte Tribe, No. 16, at Maysville, which he did on the 10th of Sturgeon Moon, 380, and raised up the following chiefs: M. C. Russell, Sachem ”

“ The records of the Society of Red Men are abundant and the Great Council of the United States in its Official History of the Order traces its growth and decline in detail as well as its customs and ceremonies. ”

“ The Improved Order of Red Men has a mission to perform among our fellow men that we alone can perform.
We are now permited to report the establishment and institution of more tribes within our borders, since the quenching of our last Great Sun Council fire than during any Great Sun since our Order has been in existence."
Great Sachem Bebout is in error. He reports the institution of 29 new Tribes, while during Willie Walkers administration (G. S. D. 409-410) 32 new Tribes were organized. ”

“ Upon assuming his stump, Great Sachem Ellerkamp was presented 83 with a handsome Great Sachem's regalia by Past Sachem F. L. Smith, in behalf of his many friends and Brothers.
The Great Sachem announced the appointment of Great Chiefs as follows, and they were raised in due form:
An amendment to the laws was offered providing that organizers should submit a list of all proposed charter members of a new Tribe, to all Tribes in the same hunting grounds where same was to be instituted in hunting grounds already containing one or more tribes. ”

“ The first settlers upon this continent were imbued with the spirit of freedom, and to gain this object left their mother country. The American shores became the asylum of the oppressed of all nationalities. ”

“ As new Tribes, after being instituted, are so often left with but a faint idea of the workings of the Order, that the Great Sachem, or some one properly qualified, visit them at least within six moons after institution, to instruct them in the work, or designate some Past Sachem for this work when he cannot do it himself. ”

“ As the Tribes and chiefs become more accustomed to their duties I believe this matter will adjust itself. The card catalogue is now nearly complete, containing the names of members of every Tribe in the reservation to date except Iroquois, No. 12, and Choctaw, No. 20. No report has ever been received from No. 12 at Hopkinsville, 64 and communications from brothers in those hunting grounds lead me to believe the Tribe is defunct. I received a report from Seminole Tribe, No. 16, of Henderson, for the term ending 30th of Corn Moon last, but no tax, there being none due from them at that time. ”