The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-09-21
The Masonic PROCESSION AT ST. LOUIS

The MASONIC PROCESSION AT ST. LOUIS
The st. Lous Republican says:
If the Masons desired to stamp their pub
lie display with distinctive characteristics,
they succeeded. We have seen good many
professions of late, some larger than that
of yesterday, but none at all similar to it.
We have seen long line of fremen, &C
companied by the blare Of bands, and while
the sight was inspiring and thrilling, its
significance was unmistakable, and appealed
to feelings easily understood. So with the
majority ofpublic professions their history
is in simple language, and we comprehend
them at glance. In that of yesterday,
however, there was certain impressive
uniqueness, and it became the more attrac-
tive because shade of mystery mingled in
its meaning.
The uniforms were half military-that is,
sufficiently so to suggest military IDEAS
and yet there was something present that
gave the pageant an aspect peculiar in it
self. 1t seemed, as it were, display OF
civic chivalry united with something of q
deeper significance and more earnest in ma
ture. Sheer as some may at secret societies,
there is dignity of antiquity about Ma
sonry that compels respect even from those
who merely regard it as q curiosity of hu-
man history. Because of this, perhaps, the
moving Masonic array which passed through
the streets yesterday was not only attrac-
tive to the eye, but suggestive to the mind.
As the Communicates went by in steady
march, with the silken and satin banners
swelling on the wind, the eye would catch
here and there golden inscribed Latin
motto, speaking some noble and virtuous
sentiment, or device curious in itself and
yet suggesting the strange blending of the
intellectual and the practical in the per-
vading spirit of Masonry. On the swell of
the music the mind was half inclined to
grow meditative in a surging city street,
and seek in the historic past the interpre-
tation Of the present. Coming down, how
ever, from the inner meaning to the mere
external appearance Of the procession, we
may say that it was really fine and strik-
ing. The marching of the Knights was
capital, and the long line had that beauti-
full undulation peculiar to column of regu-
lar soldiery in motion. The dark coat and
pants, white belts and plumed hats, made a
grand appearance when a lengthy view of
the procession was obtained. Then, too,
the spectacle was made "splendld with
swords" for nearly every knight car
ried his bloodless but beautiful Masonic
weapon, emblematic of spiritual rather
than a carnal warfare. The bands were
remarkably good, and their music accom-
panied the march most fttingly. The pro-
cession was one which looked magnificent
in street vista, but which also would bear
a near inspection. The uniforms were ele--.
gantly finished and remarkably handsome,
and as to the Masons themselves we think
the remark we heard upon the street 80
often yesterday expresses a truth: ga
finer-looking body of men never marched
in procession in st. Louis" 1t would seem
as if in admission to the Knights Templar
attention was paid to physique. The ma
jority of those in line yesterday were men
of fine stature and personal appearance.
1t was, in fact, mainly procession of in
telligent and cultivated gentlemen. and
they carried themselves well.
Along the routes the crowds of spectators
were immense, and in reference to display
and appreciation by the public, the Masons
can congratulate themselves upon their
procession.