Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-07-02
The Return of the yirginians..

The Richmond Commandery Knights
Templar returned to Richmond Friday
from their visit to Boston. They were met
at the depot by a large number OF the Ma
sonic fraternity, including many knights
who escorted the returning Knights to the
Gubernatorial Mansion, where they were
welcomed home by Governor kemper IN IL
speech, full of congratulatory and frater-
nal expressions, which was received with
enthusiastic applause by the vast concourse
present Eminent Commander VIM. II.
Tanner responded to the Governor, thank
ing him for the cordial reception, and re-
ferring in glowing terms to the pleasant
hours spent in New York. Sir Knight,
Rev DR.. Vanlerslice, also spoke in terms
of highest compliment of the grand ova-
ton accorded the Commandery during
their absence He felt that the visit had
been prolific of much good, and would tend
greatly towards healing differences and
they had buried the 1omAhawk, and haG
married Virginia to Massachusetts! Tht
returned Knights and escort then proceed
| ed to Old Masonic Hall, where sumptuous
rcpast WAS discussed An idea of the pre-
| valence OF good feeling on the part OF the
! immense gathering Of people. who turned
out to welcome the Knights, may be had
fir m the manner in Which they made the
welkin ring when Kessnich's band at til,
head of the column, struck up, first ~ all
kec Doodle" then "Carry We Back to Ole
Virginia." and lastly, "Dixie." We COPY
from the Norfolk s'Virgimia' the following
rerbotin report of Gen. fltZhugh Lee
Speech at the reception in that city of The
Blues OH their return from Boslon:
Fellou Citizens Of 'sNouoik-L ant
Gentlemen | come forward iii response IL
your calls to thauk you for lhs Very fiat
] terllr reception, | went TO Boston as
suesl OF your own ''ArtiIltfy Blnes," moi
because / expected To have a pleasant tril
and IL good time. but, l hope, for Il higher
holier. purpose, for the good OF our State
our people, and all Sections OF Il common
| country. Oh! how | wish | had the TINT
to tell you Of the reception accorded to u.
nv those people OF Boston; of the enthu
sias1ic crowds that greeted us on every &C
casinn; how the streets were lined Will
people pouring out their welcome to us
and bidding US thrice Welcome. [ wish
could STAY With you long enough to give
some Of the many interesting Incidents OF
our trip.
How a sightless soldier told me, ''Gen
eral. your boys put my eyes out, but | an
glad 20 see you here III our midst. -
How an aged gentleman graspipg boti
my hands in his said, general, l lost two
sons in the wsr-tlle only two | had, bu
q 4 ID fn,. 1,.
ton i good, | am glad to see you and YOU
people here at this time.
How my hand WAS shaken by people
whose overlooking hearts prevented /
single word of utterance. DO you know
what all that means? 1t means at thai
end of the line precisely what the outpour
ing of you people at this end of the lilH t.
meet us upon our return MEANS VIZ: Jllat
the people of this country have taken this
matter OF reconstruction out Of the hands
of the politicians.
That the cause which separated then
has been broken at las and the men OF tlle
North and South are allowed to see eacI
other face to face.
You, people of Norfolk. have no right
to be ashamed of your delegation to Boston
| Their bearing Oh and off duty deserves the
! highest praise, and they come back t,
their wives and sweethearts conscious No1
having performed their whole duty DIS re-
representatives. of your city. /.
This splendid welcome of GU here shows
most cOnclusIvely That Virginia respon'.S
to the hospitality Shown her SONS in Mas
sachusetts, and that We are indeed upon
the threshold OF a new cen ury.
| knew you will excuse further remarks
just now, for | am very tired, though Very
glad to see you all.
A picnic WAS given by the prominent
citizens Of Norfolk, Saturday, to the army
and navy at For.ress Monroe, in return
/ for.the courtesies extended to the Norfolk
Light Artillery Blues on occasion of theil
late visit to Boston. The steamer Snow
drop and the New Hampshire band arrivee
there at noon, and received Gen. Barry
and staff and the Post band wien hey
proceeded to Ocean View, and spent tllt
afternoon fishing 2nd dancing.
| ssFnr, 4a-se