Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-10-10
RECEPTION or MAINE CONMaN-
Derry BY HON r. J. SOUTHARD or
RICHMOND

IICn-hOND
The Sir Knights of Maine Commapdery
No. L., numbering thirty five, accompanied
by the IIallowell band paid visit to their
companion Sir knight, Hon. T. j. Southland
OF Richmond on Wednesday the 9Th inst. Sir
Knight Southland had sent them a special in
vitation and was ready to receive them with
full honors and generous hospitality. The
Commandery went down to Richmond on the
steamer Clarion, and were met at the wharf
by Sir knights, c. T. J. Southland, Clark and
Stewart, who in full costume were waiting to
receive them. After paradng several of the
principal streets, the line under direction of
Sir knight Gardiner acting C. G. was formed
in front of the fine residence of Sir knight
Southland. Eminent Commander j. ID. White
entered the house, and soon returned with the
host, whom he introduced by saying, ''Sir
Knights of Maine Commandery allow me to
introduce to you our worthy host and fellow
Sir Knight, Hon. T. J. Southland, whose gen.
crosby you know and whose hospitality you
are about to test. Past Commander, j. NJ.
Larrabee on the part of the Commandery then
addressed him as follows. 'Sir Knight
Southard; in behalf of the Sir Knights of
Mdihe SOuiiiidHueIJ permit NE u eApTtSs our
pleasure and satisfaction in meeting you un-
der so favorable circumstances and in shar
ing your hospitality on this occasion. You
have doubtless heard that the knights of old,
and may we not believe that the Knights of
the present, -would willingly go to the dis
lance of forty miles barefoot and ON frozen
ground to relieve the distress of worthy
companion, and you may be we'll assured that
we have cheerfully come the distance of ten
miles to enjoy your Knightly hospitality. We
have had many assurances of the kindly feel
ings which you entertain for Old Maine Com
mandery, and carry with US whenever we
parade in public, an evidence of your munifi-
cent generosity in the magnificent banner te-
meath the folds of which we now stand. Sir
Knight, we have come at your bidding and
now place ourselves subject to your orders.
Sir Knight Southland then said: Gentle
men and Sir knights I feel gratified at the
respect you have shown ME by this call, and
welcome you to my home and hospitality as
worthy companions and valiant Knights. l
am pleased TO welcome you as defenders of
the principles symbolized by the banner you
now bear, which | had the satisfaction of pre-
senting to you. Let it never be dishonored
by the fraternity; and indeed l feel assured
that it never will be while you adhere to your
obligations and are true to the teachings of
but first let me introduce my worthy friend
and guest, Ex Governor Chamberlain who is a
man of words as well as deeds and shall speak
for me on this OCCASION" Governor Cham
berlain was then formally introduced by En-
inent Commander White, and was pleased to
say:
eminent Commander and Sir knights: |
am fortunate in enjoying to-day the hospital
ity of our honored friend which gives me the
opportunity of sharing in this pleasant re-
ception. Mr. Southland wishes me to assist
him in expressing the pleasure he feels in
seeing you as his guests. But knowing as
do full we'll his many generous acts toward
this Commandery, and indeed everywhere in
the community where there is need of aid in
good cause, l feel as if l might more fit
tingly speak in your behalf and thank him for
the opportunity he gives of paying this hon
or.
This gift of his-the beautiful banner I'M
der which you march, bearing that symbol so
dear to memory and so sacred to men every
where, it speaks to me of many things. This
red cross was the badge and emblem of my
command during the war, and often has the
sight of it stirred the hearts that stood around
me to the deepest self devotion and the man
Hest deeds. 1t waves above you now with
all its proud and glorious memories; it tells
virtue was valor and duty love- 1t sum-
mons hack the scenes when to those knights Of
old, whose name you bear, was committed the
noble trust of guarding the Holy Sepulchre
and when the site and relics of the Temple of
Solomon were the reward of their fidelity
Soldiers of the Temple of Solomon was
once the name now gathered in this brief
phrase, knights Templars.' Soldiers you
are still, in all that pertains to the fghe
against the powers of darkness and for the
sake of all that is true to man, to woman and
to God. In those dark times when there was
no bond in state or society, or even the
church, which was a safeguard to virtue and
honor, this ancient order fulfilled an honor
able and conspicuous part. To-day, you,
friends and fellow citizens, bear hearts as true
ami strong and hands as clean and brave as
any that ever bore this sacred banner on
field of fame"
The guests were then received into the
spacious parlors of their host ard enjoyed
season in social greeting, and in examining
the beautiful oil paintings, of which Mr..
Southland has several by the old masters. At
an early hour the Sir Knights were ushered
into the dining hall, where the table groaned
If tables ever do groan,-with banquet as
princely as that of King Darius to which he
invited the princes and mobiles of his realm.
Knight, but the united efforts of all the Sir
Knights urged on by the earnest persuasion
of their generous host and his son n-law,
Captain Huzzey, failed to overcome it, and
they were constrained by wont of capacity to
leave many good things untouched. Toasts
were given and brief speeches made which
added to the interest of the occasion, but the
pleasantest thing was poem by Sir Knight
7. b. Shilleboar of Boston, read by his son-in-
law, Sir knight Dillingham; of Gardiner,
full of witcsms and local hits, giving his rea-
sons why he was not present on the occasion.
Everything passed of happily and at nine
o'clock the lines were formed and the Sir
Knights marched again to the'steamer, salts
fed with the reception, satisfied with the eat
ables and ''drinkables," and satisfied with all
the world. They reached home in good sea-
son for good nights rest and pleasant
dreams of knightly hospitality. J. M. l..