Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-03-04
The Great Falr-KnIghts Tsmpiar.


There ives witnessed at the Fair last evening a
crowd OF people seldom seen under roof In this
city. The cid snd the young the gay and fa shion-
able, the beauty a5d pride OF the city, ministers
| and laymen, Congressmen and pLople, all seemed
to have turned out mdSsc to get a panoramic
view OF things at this attractive place But such
was the thTong-paoked and pressed without re.
gard to crinoliue, broadcloth, silks, and satns -
that 1t was next to an impossibllity to be fully
grAtihed in this respect to see one half that is
worth Sseingj but yet there was enough OF inter
est to highly entertain all. We understand that
the demand was SO great for tickets that the whole
supply was exhausted in the early part of the
evening
At about 3 o'clock, Washington Comm Andery OF
Knights 1emplArl No. |, under the command OF
Eminent Commander Sir s. p. Bell, and Columbia
Commandery, No =, under the command of Emf.
nent Commander Sir Ezra L. StGvenI, made their
appearance headed by splendid band of music
| the nth regular band Both of these commAnderlos
were In full regaiAi and their elegant uniforms
and knightly bearing were highly credltable TO
that noble order. The Grand Master Of TemplArs
of the United States, Mos Eminent d. D. French.
had command OF the process .iun. There were also
present Sir James SiTEot, Eminent Commander of
Baltimore COmmAndery, No. ,, who is alao one OF
the grand officers of the Grand Encampment Of the
United States, and Eminent Commander Sir 7. r.
May of New York with many other emInen'
knights Of other States.
The procession was quite large, Ald the display
one not often witnessed. TIE PTelAtcs Of the two
commAndGries were present in full iures, and at.
tFAeted much attention. The robes OF 'lc Pfelate
OF No. were black, with black ehapcGu and white
featheri those Of No. 9, were white II G. dress,
along cloak of white merino, with alarg, IaItese
croBs on the left side, long blue stole In front,
trimmed and fr nged with gold with appropriate
m TIRE W nj ir
The ancient dress OF this Order was white, but
after the cruel death oil DeMolay, n black suit wsG
adopted asa mark Of respect for that eminent
knight. The dress recently adopted by the Grand
EncAmpmeRt Of the United States, and which IA
now the regulation for this country, Ia that worn
by the knights OF Columbia Commandery All
Others, however, arc perroitted to retain that in
use when the new rs adopted.
1t is one Of the cardinal principles and o. jerls O
this order to extend theif charities 10 the needy;
to feed the hungry olOthe the naked, and bind uT
the wounds Of the afflicted "The sword in thoiI
hAuds is more rs symbol Of the duties they have
vowed to iulhl than an instrument OF assault OI
| defense" How then, could they better promote
the great objects and benevolent designs Of the
Order, than by just such efforts rs were 80 credit
| ably made last night!
We understand that still larger number would
have been cut, had 1t not been fol the tact thai
their new regalia, sent from New York on Tues
cay morning, by express, had not, in eonsFQu
ol the m serAbe railroad facilities between that
city and this, arrived last night. II 10 the desire
OF many Interested n the far, that the Knight
should again visit the hail before tho close, ~
olhers Will then have an opportunity 10 be pres
eht who were deprived OF that privilege last ght
| Tonight, other irterestrg ceremonies will taxi
place. Two bands of music, Gen. Bonham,s ant
Scotia 9OO will be there 10 onliyen the ,ceno with
their choicest music There will ElEo be present
company Of amateur Hingcr6 who will crafty IN,
visitors with patriotic sougs.