The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-05-22
THE VISITING KNIGHTS.
THE SIGHTS OF THE Grey sEEN-PARADE
THROUGH THE STREETS AND REVIEW
AND INSPECTION AT MONROE PARK
PROGRAMME FOR TODAY.

The visiting knights OF Washington Com.
mandery, No. /, yesterday morning visited
the places OF interest in and about the city,
The Marine band, accompanying them here
exhibited their proficiency in music to a
large crowd assembled on the Capitol
Square between 10 ands11 o'clock. They
are skilfui and experienced performers, and
| it is o delight to hear them "wind their
horns.o s-S
Yesterday evening there was dress pa.
rade and inspection Of the Washington
Commandery and the two Richmond Com.
manderfes at Monroe Park. At 4 O'Clock
the Richmond Communicates assembled at
st. Adams Hall, with tolerably ;well-flled
ranks, and marched down to the Elk.
change Hotel to act as escort OF their
Washington brethren. The line was
formed with Kessnich's band at the
head Of it, Richmond knights next, then
Commandery. Each Richmond Command
cry formed their members in the shape OF q
cross, while the Washingtonians marched
in iours, their tread being as steady and
regular rs that Of veterans. The streets
through which the procession moved were
crowded; with people, enjoying as well the
beautiful weather as the gallant sight the
rlchly-plumed knights presented.
AT THE PARK.
Arrived at Monroe Park, half an hour or
more was allowed sfOr resting" which
was very hard work, for the knights had
to stand, mo sufficient number OF seats being
at band. The Washington band played one
or two pieces, and there was opportunity
for our visitors and others to observe the
great crowd OF lookers-on, including many
beautiful ladies and frisky children.
Opportunity was also given for all to see
that Monroe Palk does not present that
tidy and nice appearance it would have
were the grass nicely trimmed and the
walks rolled and freed from grass. The
Park evidently needs an appropriation from
the Council.
About 6 o'clock, when the sun, after a
struggle with bank Of dark clouds, had
burst forth with splendor, the line for in
spection and review was formed on the
vacant lot corner Belvidere and Franklin
streets. The Washingtonians had the right
and the Richmonders the left Sir Knight
Bidsaod acted as adjutant, and turned over
the command to Captain General Bass, who,
in turn, transferred it to Eminent Com
mander Boyd, OF the Washington Com
mandery.
The appearance OF the three Commander
les was fine. Their movements were de-
cidedly good. They were reviewed and
inspected by Eminent Commander Robert
Boyd, OF Washington Commandery; E. G.
Davis, Past Commander Of same and Grand
Master of the District Of Columbia Ed
ward Baldwin, Past Commander Of Wash
ington, No. l; Robert Ball, Past Com
mander Columbia, No. 9; A. w. Kelley,
Past Commander DeMolay Mounted Com
mandery; NJ. NJ. Parker, Generalissimo. OF
Columbia, No. 2; n. D. Larner, Eminent
Commander of DeMolay: Eminent Com
mander Blanks. Of Petersburg, and Emf
nenJ Commander L. L. Bass. Sir Knight
j. III. Capers acted as aid to Eminent Com
mander Boyd.
Inspection and review over, the line was
reformed, and the Washington Knights es-
corted back to their hotel.
RECEPTION.
Last night the Washington Knights had a
formal reception at St. Alban's Hail. Mayor
". G. Darlington delivered the address OF
welcome to the Sir knights, and said:
Our hearts are begirt with Joyous emo
tions as we gaze into your manly faces, Sir
knights OF Washington! Though the mystic
veil of distance hides us from each others
daily gaze, yet we can always feel your
touch along the line of life, for the electric
chord of honor binds our hearts in unceas-
ing and uniform pulsatlon Human aspi-
rations would seek in vain to soar to greater
moral heights than that occupied by the
creed YOU teach, and Imagination languish
in the effort to trace brighter fame than
knights Templar have borne in ages past and
gone. Historic record bears us back to the
day when the Crescent waved in triumph
ant defiance over men and morals-When
sombre clouds overhuns the sky Of Chris
tianity, and suppliant Virtue stood aghast
at the giant strides of Vice.
AS the sky of the East is gilded by the
gorgeous rays OF its waking !ewel-the
rising sun-to dispel the sable drapery OF
night from the lovely landscapes OF nature,
SO that degraded age found rising in the
East band OF krightly souls, whose golden
ensign was emblazoned by the +" Cross"
and whose followers, inspired by the heroic
resolve to reestablish the tottering temples
OF morality and religion, were destined to
curb the ascendant star Of that implously
haughty Crescent" ."e
Thus the Cross OF Christianity met the
Crescent of idolatry; the struggle was
fought, and the germ Of schivalry, by ITS
knightly contests, planted the Christian
Cross in triumph on European soil.
The volume Of the recorded past could
beguile us on from age to age, and gladden.
our hearts at the moral heroism OF knights
Templar in all periods OF time, but we feel
forbid the pleasant task in this brief, happy
hour. Suffice it to say that the contest OF
knighthood has ever been for defence OF
religion, of woman, and OF high morality.
Honor has ever been the true knights
watcbword.
Yes, " Honor"-that priceless jewel that
sheds its peerless lustre o'er the heart and
mind; that star which glistens as the bright
est moral uminary in the sky Of life; that
sweetest flower which exhaIes the perfume
Of glory along the highway OF existence ;
the enliyening dew-drop that nourishes the
rosebud Of youth and the full-blown flower
Of manhood; that Honor the unfailing stan
OF weakening years when weary age goes
tottering to its tomb!
knights Templar stands a buiWark be-
tween religion and idolatry, between mo-
rality and vice, between angel woman and
any wrong that threatens her.
What grander thoughts can man enjoy ]!
What nobler task take up?
|; Is morality waning in any cline or age !
You 60 to its rescue with the inylncible as
surance that. SIN Hoe Signo Vinces . "
Does religion lose its foothold under the
foul, remorseless tread OF idolatry You
bid its driven adherents to shold fast the
faitb,o for you are; coming in that name
which Is all-poWerful to save, and that hope
may spring up In despairing hearts; for
surely they can trust your motto !: 9 In Hoe
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