The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-06-26
WELCOME HOME. stE
THE LNrGHrs TEMPLAR RETURN
FRoM THEIR NORTHERN TRIP.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION.
speeches ny Governor Kenper azss,
etAer Promtnens Masons.
COLLATION. AT MAsoNs' HALL.

SsLLAIiOS Al MASOSS' hALL.
Richmond Commaudery KuRhts Templar
from their northern, pilgrimage
They left Baltimore by the boat
for West Point on Thursday Dight, and sail-
Ing down the bay had q delightful rest after
neattg two weeks Of incessant feasting.
From Vest Point to Richmond they came
by rail, and at the deI6s were met by a
large number Of Masops and other citizens.
The crowd gave the Templsrs series
of hearty cheers as the train ap-
preached, aud before it had fairly
stopped there was claspiog Of hands and
interchange Of pleasant ssiutations, betray-
ing the fact that the Knights were glad to
see their oii friends and their old friends
giad'to see them. As soon as certain details
concerning baggage and trophies brought
from the seat OF war were attended to, the
Templars landed, and for half an bour were
employed 10 receiving the congratulationssof
those who were not 50 fortunate as to be Of
the pilgrim band, and in detailing incidents
OF their glorious journey. ;..-.-..,.--s..
Baltimore, Wilmington, and New Yosk
lipger pleasantly in their memories, and will
not soon be forgotten. But Boston and
Providence cannot even he mentioned With
out lavish praise. These cities must have
displayed the most uDbouDded hospitality
and the most copsiderate kindness, for they
have attached our Knights to them with
hooks of STEEL" and given them something
to talk about the balance OF their natural
lives. How tenderly the Richmond Knights
love, admire, and glory in Boston and Previ-
dence can be at once ascertained By any one
merely mentioning the name of either place.
In the brief time the Knights remained at
the der0, all this was shown. Msny ~ho
heard their wonderful relations sighed as
they thought or what they bad missed by
not being of the party, though, Of course,
no eDvious feelings srose to mar the perfect
happiness of the I" welcome home"
UPTOWN BOUND.
About IL O'Clock the Masons were drawn
un in line on the platform of the dep0, and
the Templars passed in review and were cor
daily saiuted, and then the procession
marched forth iu the following order -.
Detachment OF police under Sergeant Ben
Howard, ... ....,
Kessnich's Band,
knights Templar (who remained at home,
under A. S. Lee, gE I'D
Masons of the various lodges,
Richmond Commandery.
Major John Poe acted as chief marshal, ano
| was assisted by Colonel John II. Richardsop
The route pursued was up Dock street tC
| Twenty.secoud street, up Twenty.seconc
street TO Main, up Main 10 Ninth, up Nintt
to Grace, and from Grace into the Capito
Square, and hence to the yard OF the EX
| ecutiSe mansion.
| The route of the procession was lined witt
enthusiastic spectators, Including many
ladies. Kessnich's band diScoursed familiar
airs. including "Carry Me Back to Old <Vir
uirny," Dixie" "My. Maryland" and a!
they entered the Square Yankee Doodle
1t is said by the Knights that there were
many larger bands in Boston, but few tha
ellciied more compliments for good music
than kesSnich's. ...,
The march through the streets taxed th
Knights very heavily, and they suffered sc
| yerely, for the weather was intensely hot
the thermometer in the sDade at favored
places ranging from 9S to 81. Several salt
| that no march they had in Boston was so eX
bausting as this. By the time the Cover
| nor's mansion was reached there were p goot
| many who felt like falling out of line ant
seeking some cool sequestered spot, som'
boundIess contiguity of shade, &C., ant
| would have done so had not they bad tot
much respect for the important occasion.
! ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR (sIR KNIGHT) KENPER
The Knights and other Masops Were
drawn I'D in .ine in front Of the Executive
mansion, and Governor kemper Immediately
appeared upon the porch, and was intro
dured to the Commandery by Sir Knight =
w. z. Brock, of the committee OF knight
appointed TO welcome the Commander!
home.
Governor Kemper was greeted with cheers
| and said:
| Sir Knights,-Ths is pleasant scene,
beautiful and imposing speetacle-to behold
| YOUR ranks after your distant and eyentfu
| iourneyings-to see you on your return IN
hurt. in good health and vig0r, sound ant
iubiIant. With sincere heart, with full
'heart. and In the name Of our Common
| wealth, l cordially congratulate you, and
| welcome you, on your return to your State
your homes, and your friends. The Ole
Commonwealth c reaches out her arms aBC
affec,ionately greets her children coming
| back home. - e.. "n. -.
Led by the beautiful teachings and the
noble ties of the great Order Of which got
have the honor to be members, you have
lust Journeys ed TO the ancient Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, and to her capital city o
Boston. You travelled under the guidance
of "that bierogyphic bright which none
but craftsmen ever saw" You went at HI
interesting era-just as the hundredth year
of the Republic dawns upon US. You went
| as you ought to have goDe-as representa-.
tives of Virginia as she Is. You went clothed
with no garments of sackcloth, With nc
ashes on heads bowed in humiliation
You went protesting no repentance, ask
ing no forgiveness, making no recantations,
singing no palinodes. You went as Vir'
siniaus, proud of Virginia and all her past.
You went with the smell Of Confederate bat
ties on your garments with your minds and
bodies erect-with your broWsa upifted-
with such true faith to your State and to the
Union of States as nsne but brave hearts can
feeI-to greet and to ce greeted by the repre-
sentative men of New Epgland ard OF all
the States as respected equals and honored
peers. On the Iasis of equal rights and
equal citizenship. and mutual and cordial re-
spect aad good will, you greeted and were
greeted by the representatives of our
sister States of the North. Notwithstanding
the years Of alienation and ffatricidai strife,
iyau were thus recognized and welcomed as
friends and equal eilizens Of retinited com.
mon county. In this spirit and in this way
you have g0ne q step towards inauguratlDS
the true work OF the centennial period-the
work which Is to teach each section TO see
the other as each sees itself-the work. which
is to <extinguish aa sectional snimosi.
ties forever-which Is to abrogate all
enforcement laws aud 9th er represslye
and unequal legislation, which is to restore
real peace, equal justice, equal rights, equal
prote ection, equal beneieence, b srmopy, ira
ternity, and prosperity to every section, ana
to every portion Of the great al aerleaa re-
public. On such a basis as tha ) may tae
American UDion of States rest, ind lssoiuo:e.