Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1866-08-18


THE ADDRESS.
GENTLEMEN AND KNIGHTS 1.-THE pas
comes not back again" So wrote poet, blu
10 me il seems that history only repeats itsel
aud lou are acting over again the scenes Of TIT
past.
Towards the close Of the 10th century, wher
the expressions Of the Feudal system had be
come so great as to almost destroy all feelings
of humanity in man for his fellow; when litera
ture and science were confined ~ the cloise
and could gain no favor amidst the universe
turbulence and rapne; when illterate judge!
and ignorant Kings held sway, and confusion
and crime prevailed; when property was helc
only by the tenure of mis- h the spirit OF chirdr,
arose, turned back the tide Of oppression anC
planted, IL the vety midst Of bartarism, tie
seeds OF most nsbc ard generous. principles.
IL was ihen, that some noble barons, filled
with charitable zeal and religious enthusiasm
aud moved with compassion for the wretched
ness and suffering they saw around them, con
federated together under the most solemn, relrg
ious sanctions, ia the holy purpose Of defending
the right against the wrOng.
This s?ri. was soon infused into others ant
the Institution of chIvaIry quickly spread
Treachery and hypocrisy became detostable-
became the rTiUfS of the age, and the Knights
that readily AMI willingly unsheathed the sword
In defence of innocence and tie right, received
the alteration Of the popuace, the plaudils OF
the oppressed and were exalted even above
Kings tbs mselyes as their need Of praise.
This was the origin of chiValry and organized
bands OF hCrsemen riding over the land in
Sc arch OF oppressed innocence were established
into the order Of Knjghthood, which was the
concentration Of all that was no bic and valiant
in a warlike age, and arose, in the general
darkness Of that period, like stars al night 10
guide the belated traveller ITO speak the
truth. to sucCor the helpless and distressed and
never turn back fiOm an enemy" was the first
vow required Of the youthful asprants for the
honours OF knighlhood aud ch;vaIry. 1t gave
purity TO enthusiasm, suppressed selfshness,
snushn e" @ 20 g g IKE a9%sL 10 Inc
kmoothed even the rugged brow OF war, causing
belliserenls TO treat with kindness and respect
the prisoners that the accidents of war placed
into their hands. 1t developed the character
Of women, causing her virtues to be appreciated
and honored made her fit companion for
knghtly man and The object of his devotion. II
has furnished US the Foundation for code OF
conventional laws that has ever been pillar Of
strength to our socia system.
For more than eight hundred years, through
all the crusades Of the East which sanity Lou
is, naughty Phillip ard CGur De- Lion, Eng
lands kibs himself left their thrones to join,
kaighthood and chivalry have been known and
honored amongst men and will continue so TO
be, as long as Harry Hotspur can be found,
"To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus
And witch the world with M ble craftsmanship"
Blu, now some dreamy admilerof the past,
some lngerer amid tue ruins Of by-gone ago,
would tell Us that the days oil chIyalr. are gone;
that dark-haired Rebeccas aid far howenas
can no more Cause the blood 10 Jingle and flow
qucker in the veins OF gallant Knights, or nerve
their arms with unwonted strength and cause
their eyes to kindle with keener fire. Some
"Old Mortality" living among deserted halls
and tenantess castles, would arise and lament
in mouruiul Numbers the degeneracy of the
present aud sigh for the good old times" yet,
methinks there are now around me aud in all
this Souih Land, that wore the "suit Of grey
ss noble hearts and as manly forms as ever
graced the lists ofCourtly chlvalry aud as gal
liant knights as ever mounted steed or couched
8 lance in mimic fray; yea, knights, who have
seen wars lightning fash, the sword against the
bayonet clash, the war-horse over manged
corpses tread and scorned, amidst the terrible
strife, TO turn and yield the field of deadly fight
and who have done such deeds and dared such
deaths On fields of blood, that would not blot
the scutcheon Of Templar or Hospiaiier in those
old heroic days when The lie of all knighuy
christendom was ole proud rcmance--knishts
too, that have followed the prayer bedew ed
banner of Stonewall Jackson 10 victory; rode
with Stuart, the Saladln that ever flashed his
sword IN tie face of his enemy; served with
Ashby, The Bayard Of Virginia; yielded ODE
dience TO the knightlest Of the knighty race
the nobleman without peer, and honored the
model patriot, himself vlcarious sacrifice for q
whole people, whose purity and integrity oil
character not even prisons, manacles, bolts, bars
and chains, can stain or confne.
True. the Golden Age" of chivalry may
have a. sed and lett Us only the tradlionary &C.
counts of the contests of the gallant Ivanhoe
and the Lii hearted King, and the heroic deeds
OF Scottish Highlanders, but It's brightest days
still rem, in and will remain as long as we are
true to The faith and traditions Of our iorefa,h
ers. TO on, selves and our country, and hold sa
cred the lie that binds US together-"Honor IN
nan. purity in woman and sanctlty In religion
Alter many erusades for the recovery OF the
HOLY Land and many conflicts with the hordes
of Pavnim chivary, the sword of the old Cru's
der ceased 10 CLEAN in the East and The field o
,omance was transferred from The Eastern u
I'll. Western world and young Cavaliers came
from Srain riding 10 The golden cIusades o
Couez and Pizarro. and filled the earliest pages
of American history with deeds OF bloody ch'V
sI,y. Cavaliers too, who graced the court
the virgin queen, Elizabeth, came to this ne"
Geld of romance aud adventure and founded
realm. which, in homer Of their queen, they cal
led Virginia. Yes, Virginia Land OF Ca7a
jiers. whose virgin soil ~as 'rod by the ieet o
The percy stock; whose early founder smi'n
wop t he spurs of knighihood and was as 'roe
Lnieb, as ever set lance in rest, whose ea''
Governor, Alexander spo,uwocd, led b" 0an'