Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-05-02
ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY Elk.
MAYOR HOWELL.
Response by Grand Commander
WOrsham, Representa-
tive Williamson
and Others.
A Brilliant, Gala Occasion, to Last
TIVE Days.


DPtOitl W tue heukoIsJ
NASHVILLE, May 2.-Grand Command.
er Ed Worshsm, escorted by Cyreue
Commandery, with st. Elmo Command.
cry, Arnold's brass band, the Memphis
Opera Club and Handwerker's orches.
ira OF sixteen pieces, reached this city
at 10 o'clock this morning. AS your
readers already, know, the visit of the
Communicates is to attend the sixteenth
annual conelave of the Knights TEN
plar of Tennessee, which will be con
vened in this city to-day and will doubt
less be in session two, if not three days
Communicates from Murfreesboro, Col
ambis, Jackson and Knoxville have also
reached this city. The Memphis com
manderies, Cyrene and St. Elmo, with
Grand Commander Worsbam, we're re
ceived at the depot by the Nashville
Commandery and escorted to the Ma
sonic Temple on Church street, between
Cherry and Summer, where, with tn,
other named Communicates, a formal re
ception was held. The hall was crowded
with spectators,
THE ADDRESS OF WELCOME
being made by ex Mayor Morton B
Howell. Of Nashville, whose remarks
we're earnest and appropriate, and there
fore most excellent. Mr.. Howell spoke
Of the great pleasure the local eommsn
derry and the citizens OF Nashville felt ia
welcoming the visiting bodies to their
capital. He extended the hospitality o.
the city to the visiting brethren aud ex
pressed the hope that their presence
there would not be without mutual pleas
ure and delight.
Mr.. HowelI's address was happily re
sponded to by Grand Commander Wor
sham, Of Memphis. The following is the
response:
ED, woBsHAM, GRAND COMMANDER,
of Memphis, replied as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen and Sir Knights oil
Nashville;
In behalf OF the Grand Commaudery
and | may say OF the visiting ~lraters
who are here in attendance at the six
teenth annual conclave of our grand
body, | return thanks for the cordial
knightly welcome with which we have
been greeted.
Returning to Nashville after seven
years absence as an organization, the
members of the Grand C%ommandery
cannot but'fesl as though they were re.
turning to the parental roof, for it vas
here that, in 1876. Knights Templarism
first had an existence in our State in the
organization Of Nashville C~ommandery
No. L. Here, also, the Grand Comman.
derry was formed iG 1859, and hell its
annual conclaves until 1871, when it was
seized with a desire to rove aud pitch It's
tents in other parts of our jurisdiction
and it affords me pleasure to state thai
wherever it has gone it has met with Q
hearty welcome, ConQuests have been
made in that the order has secured the
respect and good will Of all with whom
il was brought in contact, ana macy new
recruits have been added 10 cur ranks
from among those whom it is.a pleasure
10 believe are thoroughly imbued with
the sublime principles of our order, aud
having been dubbed knights Of a valiant
order, will not be slow in welding their
influence as we'll as their swords ia a
just cause. While the present flourish.
lng condition of our order is Q source OF
pleasure to every lTater ia the State, il
should be pre- s%minently so 10 the frsters
Of Nashville, as well 40 a matter Of pride.
that the lit 10 band which held its hrsl
couc'ave and formed a oommandery in
this city thirty.tWo years ago has in.
CREASED to the size of a small army
forming one Of the divisions Of the granc
army Of The United States, comprisint
upwards Of 10000 Kniehts Templar, who
are eve ready to espouse the cause o
the Christian religion, and, il necessary,
lay aside their gaudy equipments snt
arm themselves with wsspous Of wariar,
and march forth 10 defence Of the re
lie,en they all love, eemented hy tht
strong bonds Of fraternsl affection anC
ties which unite soldiers 6ghtirg for f..
common cause. This little army is il
your midst to-day, and before it takes it
leave l trust will have succeeded il
storming the citadel Of your affections
and depart leaving with you pleasan
r%ecollections Of their visit. The word