Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-05-14
Sons of Malta.

The Supreme Grand Lodge of the l. o. S.
NJ. of the State of Virginia which has been
in session in Richmond for three days, ad-
journed on Thursday. The attendance was
large, with representatives from the various
Lodges of the Order in the State. Capt. d.
B. Bridgford and DR.. IL. Grey Latham were
elected representatives to the Grand Coun-
Gil of the United States. 1t is understood
that the Order is in fine condition, and that
the Grand Lodge will hold its next annual
session in Lynchburg, on the second Wed.
nesday in May, 1861. The Grand Lodge
elected the following>officers:
Capt D. B. Brdgford, S. g. Commander.
DR.. II. Grey Latham, S. V. 6. do.
Il. W. Stephens, Jr., S. G. Chancellor.
VIM. Ii. Hayward, S. G. Patriarch.
G. Albin Shaft ter, S. G. Secretary.
j. H. Pecor, S. G. Treasurer.
Maj. Alonzo Loving, S. G. Master at Arms.
Col. G. R. Phelps, S. 6. Sentinel.
Thursday evening the officers, accompani-
ed by the brothers of the Order visited Gov
ernor Letcher. They were introduced by
Supreme Grand Commander Bridgford, and
were received with great courtesy by his
Excellency. After half hour spent in
pleasant, social converse, the Governor invi-
ted them to the inequalities of his Mansion,
after partaking of which, DR.. Latham ad-
dressed his Excellency in the following
neat and extemporaneous address:
Governor Letcher-I have been appoint.
ed to represent, in this visit to your Excel
lency, the Grand Lodge of the sons of Nal.
ia, in the State of Virginia. take pride In
performing the duty thus suddenly imposed
upon me, not only on account OF your high
position as Chief Executive officer of our
glorious old mother, nor because your name
is written high on the scroll of fame, as
public servant, who has done faithfully and
well, but because your private life, your
worth and virtues, command our esteem and
affection.
We, sir, Sons of Malta, profess to incul-
cate virtue and charity, and, though por-
ton of the Press, prostituting its mighty
power, has heaped upon our Order It's foul
and Infamous SANDERS, we shall and do keep
an eye single to the great cardinal princi-
pies of the order We desire not only to
keep the virtuous in the path of rectltude,
but we endeavor to restore sustain and
strengthen those who are gone astray.
As to our charity, it is of that character
which permits not the right hand to know
what the left has done; but must say that
our timely aid las hushed the widows sigh
and dried the orphans tear; it has made
house of thanksgiving of a house without
bread, and has turned curses of bitterness
and despair into prayers of gratitude and
praise With such results, sir, and con-
scious of rectitude, we defy the malice of the
world.
We have just been in session, sir, for the
promotion of the great objects OF our order.
Our meeting has been pleasant, harmonious
and fruitful. We are about to return to our
homes, scattered over the various parts OF
the State over which you 80 honorably pre-
side, and we shall bear back with US pleasant
recolections of our visit to the Metropolis OF
the Old Dominion, and, especially, of that
to your Excellency.
Permit me to thank you, sir, for this kind
reception of the officers of our order.
Governor Letcher then replied nearly as
follows:
Gentemcn-I am grattied at the honor
your body has conferred upon me by paying
me this visit for it always affords me plea
sure to meet my fellow-citzens from all parts
of the State, and to make their acquaintance.
| know but little of the cardinal principles OF
your ORDER but am satisfied that they would
find no countenance with Virginia gentle
men, were they antagonistic to the interest
Of our good old State and her people. Let
me assure you, gentlemen, that you have my
best wishes for yvur success in the cause of
virtue and charity.
The visitors then babe farewell to his Ex-
cellency, manifestly much grattied with the
manner in which they had been received.