Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-16
The knights TcmpIar Celebration.

=
city was pleasantly varied on Thurs
day morning at 7 O'Clock, by the pro-
cession of the knights Templar of
Cyrene Commandry Of Memphis, es-
corted to their hotel by the Jackson
Commandery, No. Is The stirring
strains of very fine band, and the
splendid uniforms and martial order
of the knights, made the spectacle
one of exceptional brilliancy aud i'm
pressiveness. ''The Knights of the
Temple was n religious, military or
der, founded at Jerusalem, 4. ID.
Ills, ct time when pilgrimages to
the Holy land were very frequently
made from all parts of Europe, the
object being to protect the poor and
helpless. The order was incorpora-
ted with Ancient Free Masonry, in
the time of Philip of France, by
whom a massacre of the Templars
was ordered and executed. This
seems to be the history of this branch
of Masonry, that with plume and
sword aud cross. recalls the far off re-
nowh Of Acre and Trebizond, and
those grand, heroic days, when the
whltc fluwer of chivalay glorilied the
lives and adorned the tombs of the
Bayards and Sydncys, of story and
of song.
During the rest of the day the jack
son Templars were busy in the rccep-
ton of the visiting Communicates,
and their assignment TO comfortable
quarters. At intervals representa-
tives and members from the follow
ing Communicates reached the city:
Nashville No. 1; Yorkville No. ?; De-
Molay (Columbia) No. 8; Brownsville
No. 8; Gilbert (McKenzie) Ne. G;
GAINESVILLE No. s; Murfreesboro No.
10; Pulaski No. u, and Lookout
Chattanooga No. II. AS the differ
ent delegations were escorted to Tom
Inns Hall the streets were made bright
and glad by the music and pageants
of the Templars. In the afternoon
there was field drill of the CyTene
Commandery, in one of the most
beautiful of our suburban lawns. 1t
was truly fete champetre, aud was
witnessed by quite numerous gath
ering of ladies', gentlemen, and pro-
miscuous humanity, drawn to the
scene by natural curiosity to wit
ness the evolutions OF the marshall
cd Order Of white plumed knights,
who ovinced 10y their bearing and
movements that they were worthy of
the swords and spurs they wore. At
night, under the direction of some of
our citizens, an entertainment was
given at the Stoddert House that was
in every way worthy of the occasion.
As We go to press a grand equestrian
parade of the Order is moving along
our principal streets, adding
fresh interest to the occasion, and at
night grand banquet at Tomlin's
hall, at which will be gathered the
beauty of the city and the surround
ing country, will very properly close
the festivities. The gentlemen who
are the guests of our Commandary,
have impressed every one with their
quiet, graceful department. Every
thing seems to be done that can make
their soiourn pleasant to them while
in our midst, and their stay in Jack
son has been an agreeable diversion
to our people from the commonplace
of every day life. We regret that we
are so soon to separate from those of
the Tcmplars with whom We have
been thrown during their brief stay
in our city, and can truly say that
Ascension Day, and its observance by
the Knights Templar, of the Grand
Commandery of Tennessee viii long be
remembered pleasantly, not only by
the members of the Order in Jack
SOB, but by very many OF orr citizens.