The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-06-26


tCntiOns
AT WASHINGTON HALL.
Here at 7 o'clock goodly number of Ma.
sons assembled to witness the installation
of the officers of Loge Francaise, No. SO,
of which Wor. J. II. Capers is the new
master. The ceremonies were lmpressively
performed by NJ. W. Thos. F. owens,
Grand Master of Masons IN Virginia; after
which there was an interesting, and to some
most unexpected, episode. Worshiptul
J. Thompson Brown stepped forward and
presented to the retiring master, WOr
Julius Stralls, beautiful Past Masters
level, made of solid gold by John ii. Ty.
Ter G. Sons. OF this city. 1t bears the fol.
lowing inscription: "Prcscnted by the
members Of Loge Francaise, No. 53, to Wor
Bro. Julius Straus as token of esteem for
his services Us Master. Richmond, June.
1871"
At the request of many who were present
we publish u full report Of tho prcsenta-
ton speech. He said:
Worshipful Grand Master and Wor.
shipful Brother Straus In centuries gone
by twas to tho ancient Romans time
honored custom on festive occasions to as
semble her thousands in Rome'S grand
amphitheatre for purposes not altogether
dissimilar to our present intention. There,
amid the exciting presence Of the triumyirs,
around whom were clustered all the bright
lights Of ancient lore, supported by the
roscate hueS on the checks Of 4 thousand
Roman damSels, flushed with the intoXi.
eating excitement of Il pending gladiatoria
contest there, where lance met lance IN
homeward thrusts, and fire, like lightning,
cleaned from battle blade there, amid the
low gurgling blood and dying shrieks of an
unsuccessful combatant amid the thunder.
ing encores Of that vast and excited assem-
bly,, stood alone on that bloody arena the
successful gladiator, the centre of all eyes,
the object of all honors, which were pro.
fusely bestowed by etfeminate hands and
sturdy arms rs rewards for Roman yalor
and Roman honor.
Alas alas! their beau-idcal of valor-
| their perSonitication Of honor and merit
had but slain a human being, and brcwed
his hands in Il brothers blood. Their ap.
probation, their encores, which should
have rewarded the noble virtues which
adorn the human character, were only
lavishcd upon the characteristics of bruteS-
upon mistaken YalOr, corrupted ideas, and
depraYed virtues.
How unlike is this present scene this
gathering of our Brotherhood to do honor
| to deeds Of merit and of nobcr virtucs-to
pay the tribute of esteem, love and ailec.
ton on O gladiator whose victories in the
Masonic arena arc bloodlusS-to wrcathC
chaplets of purest t1owcrs-of virtues and
honor-on his fair brow-garllnuS unmXeu
with the red flowers of blood, and uncn.
twincd with poisonous vines Of shricks and
yroans Of dying man!
1t is to your credit, sir, that no cloud
during your past administration has ever
1,n, H.,
been discovered athwart the horizon, yet
our noble crew has never heard the order
to furl sails to avoid approaching storms of
discord or trouble, but by your admnistra-
tive abilities, aided by your manly crew,
you reliuquish the helm to-day SO mastery
handled during your term. You leave the
old ship in placid waters of peace and har-
mony, with pennants and banners unftrled
10 Il prosperous breeze, and while resting
upon our oars and regaling ourselves IN all
that is sweet and pleasant of the past, | am
called upon to return to you our admiration
for your zeal and ability-our love and af-
fection for your character-and rs Il me-
mento OF these regards | am authorized by
your brethren to pin this most handsome
| jewel OH your noble breast.
May the self-sacrilicins spirit which you
have displayed on the occasion of our elcc-
tion-declining the honor OF rc&Iection
when it would have been unanimous-Dc
IN example to Us worthy Of our imta:
lion, ever crremembering that golden prccept
of tue lion of the t.lbe or Judah LII
honor prefer one another
NV brethren, this is not meaningless
ceremony. That reward, that beautiful
jewel, is but the index finger of love and
affection pointing us from our terrestrial
lodge to the reward of that celestial lodge
above.
Then let us vie with each the other in
that noble contention, or rather, emula.
ton, to attain that final reward, that each
and every one here assembled may success
fully pass the outer door of that spiritual
lodge, so well guarded by the angelic tier,
forever brandi>hing his flaming sword OF
fire, and be conducted to that grand and
glowing east, effulgent with the dazzling
brilliancy Of holiness, there to receive the
grand hOnors of that eternal lodge as they
thrice roll on, accompanied by angelic en-.
cores and plaudits OF well done, good and
faithful servant. This is THE reward We
have on this occasion toreShadoWed."
The recipient of the testimonial acknow.
ledged the compliment i'll grateful and feel
ing words.
ATTHE OLD HALL
Richmond Lodge, No. 10, was installed at II
o'clock, and the ola hall was crowded to
overflowing during the ceremonies. Aftel
they concluded, the whole company were
invited down stairs, where the stewards
had provided most tempting and bountl
full supply of refreshments. About two
hours were then spent in most agreeable
social reunion. During the progress of the
entertainment remarks were made In re.
sponse to toasts by Grand Master Owens
Past Masters G. r. Pace, James A. Scott
j. Thompson Brown, and =. Weisiger
Present Masters G. w. Z. Brock, j. II. Ca
pers, FL. D. Dantorth, X. E. Pegram, anC
L. l.. Bass; Messrs. o. NJ. Marshall, j. j
White, q. A. Ainslie, and others. The re
union was the more enjoyable because al
restraint was thrown aside by the partici'
pants, while there was manifested that de-
corum which characterizes all Masonic
gatherings.
WENT TO PETERSBURG.
About twenty-five Richmond Masons
having determined to make day of it, nc.
cepted On invitation Of the Petersburg Ma.
sons to join in the celebration in that city
They went over on the O'clock train, at q
reduced fare, by the courtesy of the popu.
lar Superintendent of the Richmond and
Petersburg railroad, and returned at d late
hour, speaking in high praises of the enter.
tainment which they. received in the Cock.
ade City.
PERsoNAL.-Judge Bond was here for
several hours on Saturday, but went to
Baltimore in the afternoon.
DR.. Brauer, Of the Eastern Lunatic
Asylum, was in the city on Saturday.