Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-08-23

Nlkle, OF ln6 lines, president, ana
Il. o. Thompson, secretary. He was
made an honorary member for one
week, besides receiving invitations TO
all entertainments of the Templars
and those tendesed the sir knights by
the citizens. l will here state that
Colonel Wilkie is the celebrated
"Polutia" of the Times, a gentleman
of boundless literary ability, and a
traveller in Europe and America Of
much note. He is the author of sew
eral books of travel. AS a social gen.
tleman he is the peer of any man, and
the Chicago press club may we'll feel
proud Of its president. Sunday
morning several Of the communicates
attended divine service, in a body, at
Grace church, the regular attendants
giving way on the occasion to the dis
tinguished sir knights. Monday was
devoted to completing arrangements
for the assembling Of the grand con-
claye Tuesday, and assigning the ar
irving commanderies to their quarters.
AT night receptions were given sir
Rights at Music, Mccormack and Far
well halls, and at the several clubs.
These halls and club rooms are very
capacious. Each was filled to
OVERLOOKING by Templars and Masons,
and citizens outside the pole of the
mystic orders. The most distinguished
Knights Templar, Masons aud other
citizens of the land were present, and
a right royal time wa the result.
Notable in each gathering was a large
number of ladies whose grace aud
beauty and lovely toilets lent a happy
charm to the fetes. Yesterday, Tues
day, was the browning glory. AT an
early hour the streets were filed with
sir knights h%urrying to the several
rendezvous preparatory to forming
into the liue of march, From eight
to ten o'clock was occupied in these
preparations. But at last the column
began to move, aud in due time had
stretched out its 10000 sir knights
until seven miles of territory were
covered. The spectacle presented by
this moving mass was so ~gorgeously
grand that none but the most ford
pen could do the brilliantly won
derful panorama the most meager
Justice. The mounted knights, with
their rich uniforms, their flowing
plumes, their prancing chargers, and
significant guidOns the general staff
Of each division, in their brilliant
attire the sir knights GU foot with
regulation dress and nodding plumes
The hundred and fifty bands swelling
the air with enhancing melody the
countless flags, banners aud guidons,
of the most gorgeous and cosby ma
t%erial, with the cabalistic notices Of
the mystic order, the countless arches
crossing the line Of march, most
glorious in the floral displays;
the multitude Of human spectators
lining the s%treets, shouting a
welcome to the citys illustrious
guests all this conspired to make
the occasion the grandest pageant ever
! witnessed by mortal man. On ac-
count Of the weather turning swelter-
iDgly hot near noon, and a number Of
| the Communicates having started be-
fore their breakfasts, and consequent
" being nearly Frustrated by fatigue,
the original programme Of the day
was not carried out, and a little after
Y o'clock the procession dissolved,
thereby Disappointing at least l00,-
900 persons, who had stationed them
selves at different points to get a view
Of the wonderful spectacle. At night
the exposition building, one Of the
largest, if not the largest, halls in the
union, was the scene of the widest
confusion. The occasion was an-
nounced as a grand reception and
soiree to sir knights aud other
guests by several of the Chicago
Communicates. AT least 10000 invi-
%tations we're Issued, and each invita-
ton admitted three persons, a gentle
man and two ladies, making q tOtsl Of
100000 persons, who expected to get
into a hall whose capacity is only co.
600. By half past seven o'clock the
hall was packed and the massive doors
| closed, while outside, for miles around,
a mass of at least zoe, 900 souls. in car
riages and on foot, surged ana strug-
gled to get near the doors of admis-
sion. The police and military guards
could do nothing to quiet the repu-
table mob, which was frantic with
rage because admittance was denied.
The mass within was so dense, and the
thermometer at lO4 degrees, that an
effort was made by thousands TO get
exgress. This was impossible, as the
crowd on either side was so solid that
nothing could move save
ones breath. FINALLY a sir
knight made his voice heard. He
shouted to make room, for Gods sake;
that several ladies had tainted and it
was desired TO take them out into the
fresh air. This appeal touched the
right chord, and passage was made
through which the c~orpse-like ladies
we're carried. Then the breach was
closed again. But it was several times
opened again for the same reason.
Your correspondent was in this fran
tic multitude, and he had no more
control over his movements than if he
had no power to use. After two hours
knocking about in this frightful yor-
tex, he got admission. Inside he
found the people thick as leaves in a
book, and all apparently ready to
faint, and all dying for water, a thing
that was conspicuously absent. This
is one of The features of the occasion
that was condemned by all. After
geous floral decorations. the myri-
ads Of flags and banners.
and the charming f~estoonerv
and carefully noting a medieval castle
erected IN the north end Of the hall
and mentally commenting upon The
| QOgtumoq If tho avbn,r4l