The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-05-24

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and In the name OF this Commandery In
whose behalf speak. Sir Knights from
Massachusetts, and from Rhode Island,
welcome you--not only as Masons, bearing
with us the burdens OF a common brother
hood, but as citizens rs well. for around the
history OF your States and mine sacred and
solemn memories cling and custer-memo.
ries which ever bear us backward and bid
us look forward.
Then welcome--thrice weIcome-to ouT
hearts and to our homes.
Sir knight Rev. w. S. Studley. OF Bos.
ton, was then introduced, and responded
most pleasantly
ON BEHALF OF THE VISITING KNIGHTS
Referring TO the generous entertainment
which had been shown them In Washing
ton, he said that the evidences OF bounteous
hospitality seemed TO increase as they went
on their pilgrimage, and from the outlay be.
lore him he wanted single line for an
epltapb, which was written over many
another good fellows grave, "Killed at
Fredericksburg"
Three cheers were then given reciprOcally
by the different Communicates, and the
knights fell TO the discussion OF the boun-
teous spread beneath the cool shade OF The
lawn-trees. An hour or so was agreeably
spent, during which the scene was en-
liyened by the presence OF many beautiful
young ladies, an Gsthetlc feature for which
Fredericksburg is famous. The Sir Knights
expressed themselves as charmed with this
first evidence OF southern beauty. and many
OF them said they wanted TO stop right there
and live in the smiles Of such ladies. After
a most pleasant time the visitors reem.
barked on the train and were soon speeding
on their way to this city.
The Arrival.
The cars were expected at 3 O'Clock, but
it was ten minutes to 6 before the loud
booming Of the Hovizcrs' guns announced
that The train had been sighted. The How
itzers had taken position on Broad street
near Richmond College, and the cars came
TO a stop at the junction OF Franklin and
Belvdere streets before the loud detona-
tions OF their cannon had ceased to rever-
berate in the air. AS they did
so Kessnich's band. which had six OF
VOelker's men in it, including its leader,
struck up the famous air "FOrschauf,"
which was executed in splendid style by
them. Then there was greeting, hand.sha-
king, embraces, and sometimes labial sa-
lutes, between the visiting Sir Knights and
members OF the home Communicates. II
the Fredericksburg knights had come on
to Richmond with their Boston aud PIovi-
dence brethren. Another visiting Knight
was Eminent Sir Frank K. Reed, Of Alex
andrla.
In very few minutes preparations were
made for disembarklng the visiting Knights.
They were formed opposite the northern
end OF Monroe Park, and at 6 O'Clock pre-
ciSely, the Providence Commandefy in
front, reached the stand, which was already
occupied bv several OF the officials OF the
Richmond knights. The visitors formed
on the west Of the grand stand, the Proyi-
dence Knights being in the advance, and
those OF Boston massed in the rear.
The Richmond Templars faced their bre-
thren standing on the eastern side OF the
stand. The Providence band, which was
uniformed in coats OF white, with blue
pantalOOns-the Austrian unifOrm-and
numbering twenty.f1Ur pieces, at this june
ture executed a fav0rite air in grand style
and with thrilling effect. The visiting Sir
kHights were seen to be a splendid aggre-
cation OF y-developed, intellectual
looking. and gentlemanly Americans. The
admirable tout en- Sem6te as they then stood
10 line were~ freely commented on and as
freely admitted. At the conclusion OF the
air by the Providence band, Eminent Sir
Knight Thomas j. Evans welcomed the
visitors as follows:
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
Sir Knights Of Boston and Providence -
At the western gates OF our city we meet
YOU, to greet you and TO welcome you and
your ladies, and your guests that accompany
you.
In tones OF thunder our artillery has So
luted you; and now, in tones not so loud,
but Just as emphatic, we say welcome! In
the name Of this vast crowd here assembled
We bid YOU welcome In the name OF a
still larger number OF citizens not able to
be here, we say welcome. In the name OF
these, our citizen soldiers, who have so
courteOusly rendered their services TO escort
you to your quarters, we extend you SOL
diers welcome. In the name OF these Rich
mond knights, with both handsome to
Boston and one to Proyidence-we give
you a knightly welcome TO our asylums, to
our hearts, and to our homes. Our tongues
would be false to the sentiment OF hOspi-
tality now glowing in our hearts il they did
not saw, in all sincerity, welcome Many
OF us have been the cipients OF generous
hospitalities and graceful kindnesseS eX.
tended to Us by you individually, by your
commanderies, by your citizens, and by
your State and city officials.
Why shouldn't we be glad TO see you
We are nOs only brothers OF the mystic tie,
but we are members OF one grand republic.
We speak the same language. We live un-
der the same Constitution and national laws.
We have common country. We honor In
common the illustriOus names of Webster
and OF Clay, OF Jefferson and Adams, Of
Hancock and OF Marshall, Of Warren,
Greene, and Of Washington. Bunker Hill
is ours. Yorktown is yours.
The past in orr history is our joint inher-
itance and our undivided glory. The present
demands and Is receiving our earnest ana
unbroken cooperation. Our hopes for the
future are li0kS in that chain Of affection
which should closely bind us each to the
other. God grant that. as the years roll on,
we may be even more firmly united.
De Molay, Richmond, st. Johns, and ST.
Andrews Commauderiesf form solid square
of fraternaI feeling that no sectional or sec'
tartan or political assalants can ever pene-
trale or break.
Being able to frame, TO pronounce Alright
our Masonic shiboleth, you have crossed the
Potomac, on which you found all quiet, and
not a man OF you has fallen. We have met
Won. and YOU are ours and we are yours.
With arms, but without force, you have
possed the lines Of the Old Dominion. These
swords OF yours are not hostile weapons,
but with ours and with the ghttering blades
Of all true Knights TempIar the world over
form canopy Of steel dedicated and pledged
10 the defence of innocent maldens, desti'
titute widows, helpless orphans, and the
| Christian religion.
| Pilgrims, we know that you are weary,
and we must therefore no longer hinder or
impede you on your journey. We will,
however, proceed to examine your scrip