The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-08-27
oh, the sight enhancing,
When mornings beam is glancing
On files arrayed
T.. 4 l.

And plumes in the gay wind dancing
How important everybody looked But most
Of all the countryman who had acquaintance s
IN his local commandery that was to march past
where he stood, in the panoply of war. but with
The spirit of peace
It was difficult to decide at any state Of The
proceedings which were the mos: interesting -
the Knights, or the people who came to look nj
them. Both were grand i'll their way. and.
taken together. formed a picture of mammoth
magniiicence that must long remain impressed
on the mind that contemplated the spectacles
with the Judgment born of experience III such
matters.
AS a matter or course there were several ex-
cellent places from which to obtain good view
of the procession, but the best, perhaps was at
the crossing of Wabash avenue and Twelfth
street, where the stands for the Grand Master
and the Grand Encampment were erected under
the auspices Of the Triennial Committee.
The peculiar advantage Of the position was
that it enabled the spectator to see the column
at Its best before long marching had produced
the partial generalization that generally sue
leeds the early enthusiasm of the day.
The advance of the head of the column was
heralded at 9:45 O'Clock by the drum corps of
the Second Regiment Illinois infantry. which was
assigned the post of honor. Asquad of mount
cd police. under Major Hentzman. rode at the
people. who thronged the thoroughfares to an
almost impossible extent. and caused them to
fall back and align themselves on the curbing.
Then, from the elevated platform, far along the
avenue to the northward, the broad front of
the mighty column, as 1t began to extrcate it
self from the cross streets on which the differ
ent communicates were formed, was seen.
The picked men of the police force on foot.
Two platoons, under Capt. McGarigle and
Lieuts. Ward and HAYES extended clear across
the street and drove everything before them as
they advanced briskly. every man looking his
best. Then came the mounted escort OF forty
five knights OF the De Moay Commanderv No.
8, of Grand Rapids. Mich. whose steeds. all
clean-mbed spirited, and richly caparisoned
danced under them in lively manner
Following came the carriage of the Grand
Master, drawn by thirteen noble horses-seven
White and six black--each with groom at his
head. Behind this imposing turnout came the
carriages containing members of the Grand
Encampment and other high officers, all brill
lant with stars, crosses, ribbons and sashes.
Passing through the saluting squadronS of the
escort the cortege halted. The grand officers
assembled their platforms. The one on the
west was selected by Grand Master Hurlbut and
his leutenants With them appeared Gov.
Cullom, Mayor HARRISON Grand prelate Locke.
and MANY other eminent dignitarics. The plat
form on the east occupied bv another
crowd Of high Templars, and by several men,
bers OF the press.
Some delay followed the appearance of the
Grand Master. and it was l. minutes past 10
o'clock when the drums again struck mp. and
the column was fairly under way. The splen-
did monotonv Of the uniforms. all dark and
white, the former predominating, was relieved
by the brilliant and ever-varying colors of tho
bandmcn, who seemed to vie with each other
in the matter Of costly costume. The drum
major, who is the human prototype of the inn
portant turkey gobbler. strobe before each
band, baton in hand, and with bcarskin cap.
black. white. or gray, that looked like tremei-
deus load for the poor fellow to carry.
Phe banners, the plumes. the throngng CO
horts, or communicates, marching mostly twelve
abreast, made stirring picture of modern
chivalry. Their swords gilt cred in the strug-
Cling sunbeams and their pennons seemed 10
dance in ecstasy. The ostrich feathers and
white sashes seemed like angry foam cresting a
| lack and swollen stream, or. better perhaps