Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-10-01
PHILADELPHIA.
MasOnic-The Dedication Sept, &C.
The PrOcesstOn-Grsnd Journal
Iucidenfa

Masonic-The Dedication Sept, 26-
The PrOcesstOn-Grand Journal
Incidents.
Correspondence Of the Union and American.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept, 20, 1873 The
great event to-day is the dedication Of the
new Masonic Temple on Broad street above
Market. The cornerstone was laid with
the usual ceremonies on July 25, 1868, at
which time the order psraded, 10,000 stron g
The building is In the pure Norman style
of archi: ecture and Is noticeable for the va
riety, recesses, to9ers, ETC., that present
new beauties constantly TO the observer. It
is two stories in height and has four towers,
one at each corner. The principal tower
is at the southwestern angle and
Is 250 feet high It is square
at the top and has four turrets. On the
northwestern angle is another tower of
nearly similar design but smaller, and the
no. theastern and southeastern angles are
provided with small spires. The material
used in the construction of The edifce is fine
granite of grayish white color, which gives
an impression of grandeur and solidity not
to be found in any other material.
The most prominent feature of the Broad
street front is the porch. 1t is also Of
granite and is one Of the most costly and
elaborate pieces Of work in the world.
This porch is make up of pillars each small
er thar the other, giving very grand and
beautiful effect, while the carvings are of
character which would seem to be impossi-
BILE in a substance so hard and brittle IS
granite.
THE PROCESSION.
At an early hour this morning the popu-
lation began moving towards Broad street.
The sun shone brightly, and the gay and
festive appearance Of the crowd gave ample
Indication that general holiday was being
made of the event. A slight fall of rain last
night rendered it more pleasant, as it was
just sufficient to lay the dust without making
it mud. By eight O'Clock the Lodges began
to arrive on the ground, and promptly at
$50 the order was given to move. As the
exercises in the Temple were fixed for the
hour Of noon, the route was only on Broad
street, passing up on the west side and
countermarching.
One hundred and sevnty-two lodges were
in line, Wandering about 25, 600 men. The
dress was black suit, black silk hat, and
white apron bound with blue. Officers
wore their jewels suspended by blue rib
bon. The Grand Lodge, however, wore
their full regslia. The display was one of
the finest of the kind ever seen in this city.
Lodges were present from all he neighbor
ing States and delegates from nearly every
State in the Union.
When the head Of the procession reached
the Temple, the lodges opened and the
Grand Lodge marched through and into
the Temple, where the exercises of dedics-
ton were performed.
The day will close with banquets by near
ly if not sfl the lodges in the city.
THE GRAND Journal.
Last night the Academy Of Music was
filed to overlooking with brilliant assem-
blsge on the occasion of a grand Journal
given by the Knights Templars. Horticnl-
tural Hall, adjoining, was also used, the
two buildings being connected by a covered
bridge. Both places were beautifully deco
rated with flowers, which, with the gay
dresses If the ladies and the splendid uni
forms of the Knights, made up scene long
to be remembered.
The exercises commenced by march Of
the Communicates, followed by 8 drill, in
which they marched in crosses, triaDgles,
squares, etc. The sword manual completed |
the exhibition, and the Knights sought out
their ladies to join in the Grand March,
after which dancing was in order until day
light babe them cease.
On Tuesday next the Knights viii have a
parade in full uniform.
PHILADELPHUS.