The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-06-02
Previous to the trial Of superiority by the
Knights, the following address was deliv-
cred by Gen. W. A. Quarles
General Quarles' Address TO the
knights,

You come not here to-day, Sir KNIGHT
as the mere figures Of an idle pageant, bu
az the representative Of principle, which
however much il may sleep, needs but tn
silyery blast Of the bugle to awaken it to IF
and action. lis principle that filled wit
manly combstants the genes of Ancien
Greece that made the solid rank Of tn
Roman Legion a moving wall Of MARTA
power; that penetrated the gloom of tn
Dark Ages, and with lis rude battle-axe Gu
down the frozen forest Of Barbarism. till nj
Europe was decked in the garments Of If
gentle and peaceful courtesy. IT'S a prin
clple that men all admire, and women al
love. Its mani estations have been as va
rious as are the various ages of the world
but there is q similitude which enables Il
TO trace it TO a common posterity. It hail
all the rudeuess Of manhood, blended witt
the soft graces a gentle mother gives. /
strikes with the sword. but tn
same hand that gave the blow is open
as the day to melting charity. 1t viii
give and take blows the live long ds,
and will aing 'gove-lorn" ditties beneath
the Windows Of ladie fair by the light Of the
silver moon. It can be lead By a silker
thread, but will not give an inch to morta
foe. 1t bows the knee TO none save you la.
dies and to God. IT'S a shield TO the weak
sword to the oppressor, a song to a ladi,
far, blow TO a rival, a prayer to God
such is the spirit Of true chivalry--a spirit
which has lived, does live, and will evel
live as long as this earth is the habitation Of
man. The cage of chivslry indeed is not
gone" aud he who believes it, is but a con-
fessed witness to his own imbecility.
IT'S true, Sir Knights, you are not here
to-day Panopled for warlike deeds-nc
walled city is TO be slormed-no serried
ranks to be brokeu-but it was ever one OF
the highest missions Of knighthood TO rid
the land Of dragons and of monsters dire.
And are there not dragons and monsters
dire upon whose destruction you may fix
your thoughts, and expend all the strength
of your kingly arms? What dragon was
ever more destructive of life than want?
What monster dire more appalling than ig-
norance? What wall more piteous to the
ear of manhood than that of the helpless,
houseless, hungered orphan? Can you not
hear this wall wherever you go, whether in
the busy hauntB Of men or in the Solitude
where none intruder" Go into the city or
the hamlet, on the hill top or down into the
valley, the green mounds that rise like
arched shields, as if protecting the jeweled
dead, proclaim st once my cause, and speak
its silent eloquence For every mound you
see, there is an orphan. For every dew
drop that sparkles on the green grass, tear
has burned its furrowed way down the
cheek of some soldiers wise-of some SOL
dier's child. 1t is for these, and for these
alone, we make an appeal; our men, though
destitute, sre strong Of arm and of heart;
they can do all that manhood can accom-
plish. Our women, too, though many of
them unused to toll, sing, We think, more
sweetly to their spinning wheels than they
used to sing to their harps. For them we
do not ask charity. Their proud hearts
would burst before their fair hands would
become the recipients Of your charity; but
for the helpless little sufferers we do appeal,
not to your reluctant, cherries giver, but
to that spirit of universal charity which is
the gift Of God and the heritage of tie poor
I know, Sir Knights, there are those who
attribute dislOyal promptings and disloyal
purposes 10 this assemblage. It is too alb
surd to merit notice. pass it over in ST.
lence-and thank God there are those who
took as well as gave blows and who prove
the testimony Of my own personal expert
ence. l can sympathize with suffering,
even though it be in the person of a wound
ed or fallen foe soldier himself, he
knows how to appreciate a soldier, and
those who would feed a soldiers orphan.
And there is yet another, higher still, who
from his own experience knows how to feel
for an orphans wants and the lonely bitter
ness Of an orphans fate. He has waved
the broad flag of the nation over the broad
extent OF the land, and upon it he has in
scribed peace, peace, and there is peace, and
should there be another war growing out of
the present European troubles, there will
be but one dag-and beneath it there will
2 a. H. i a1tf
zens in warns in our late civil war.
hey will stay behind with the vultures
and be found where "greenbacks most do
con gregate." Thank God, these Jackals
are being known, and soon the honest peo-
pie, both here and at the North, will strike
them, like so many horse-leeches, from the
body polite, and send them, full and
gorged, It's true, but still send them back to
the siagnant pools from whose muddy bO-
SONS they originally came.
But, Sir knights, this is theme not suit
ed for the ears of courtesy and beauty.
gladly turn from it, and remind you of an
other Of the sources Of Knightly inspira-
ton. Need 1 tell you what this is ? Look
around you at the bright eyes, beaming in
radiant iovliness-see those wreathed smiles,
stronger than any tyrants chain. Sir
Knights, you are in danger. | know that
some Of you have charged to the brOnzed
and hollow lannon's mouth, and have es-
capped the danger, but alas there is no es-
cane from this. You may clothe yourselves
in triple mail, in armor Of brass and steel
no cunning armOrer has yet devised shield
could save your hearts tO-day-and candoT
compels me to tell you that not one Of you
will leave this list who viii not die Of his
wounds, or be captured for life without
ransom or rescue.
But, gallant Knights, detain you toe
long. Remember that bright eyes look upon
YOU. Remember the high and sacred cause
Tor which you lend your arms to-day.
Though each of you hath an individual
name, remember you are all the orphans
Knights. In such a cause, did he live now
the Lion Hearted Knight would WELD bis
ponderous battle-axe and Bayard, the
knight without fear and without reprOach-
would put q lance at rest. On, thou gallant
Knights the whole world is impatient 70
know who will be our Sovereign Queen Of
Hearts and of Beautyi
Sir Marshal, let the feats begin.
We gave in our letter yesterday the pro-
csadings connected with the browning Of
Miss Mollie Boyd as the Queen of Love and
Beauty.
After an exciting trial between dozen
contestants, in sabre exercise, very interest
ing, showing marvellous skill, the prize, a
silver cup, was given to Captain Mcclure.
The Boys fitting for saddle, reckless and
exciting, was won by George Kerr.
The ladies' equestrian ring was beautiful
Misses Huldah Warfeld, Kentucky, Blanch
Lewis, Sallie Crozier, and Mrs. Msrshall
were the contestants, and rode like fairies.
Miss Crozier was adiudged the best horse
woman.
Miss Blanch Lewis was awarded a whip
as the second best equestrienne.
Jockey riding closed the day. Thirteen
entries. The silver spurs were awarded to
Austin Peay as the most daring horseman
Several members of the press acted a.
Judges. The tournament continues to-mor-
row.
The rrand reunion at the Academy was
recherche. The bravest of men and the
most beautiful OF ladies present, number
ing near FIVE thousand. The competing
Knights took a conspicuous part. The
queen Of love and beauty was also in at!en-
dance, in all of her beauty and elegance.
We omitted to mention yesterday, in ouI
hastily gotten up letter, the name Of Col.
John F. House. This gentleman, in con
nection with Gen. Quarles, was very kind
in furnishing every facility to the gentle
men Of the press for getting accurate infor-
nation; and in consideration Of this and
other kindness shown 5y them, as well as
other gentlemen, they return thanks.
Leaving GAINESVILLE yesterday morning
at three o'clock, the gallant steamer Ten
nessee landed her guests safely at this point
about noon. Thus closed an interesting