Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-02-24
TIE KNIGHTS rEmpLAR coNcLAvE.


more than ordinary importance-the tri-
ennial conclave of the Knights Templar Of
the United States. 1t is estimated that
not less than 40. 600 persons will engage in
this pilgrimage. Concerning all the de-
tails now being arranged for the reception
of such company OF strangers, and their
accommodation and amusement while in
the State, the columns Of the RECORD
UNION have given full accounts from time
to time. and little is to be added. 1t is,
however, to be noted that the arrange
nents are in the hands OF citizens who are
perfectly qualified to perfect them, ard we
observe that they are proceeding in a liberal
spirit that will enlarge the views of our
Eastern brethren concerning the hospitable
character OF Caifornians. Aside from the
interest that attaches to the gathering Of
such vast number of the members of a
coufraternity upon this distant coast from
such great territorial area, there is an
Importance in the assemhlage that sur
passes any fraternal or social elements in
volved in it. These men from all over the
broad domain of the continent will come to
US in critical frame of mind. They come
with their wives and families, not only to
meet their brethren Of the mystic tie, but
to see and judge California, and very
much depends upon us as to whether
they depart with false impress
sions or not. California has been more
injured in the past in the house of its
friends, than by its enemies. We have re-.
ceived the stranger with such extravagant
accounts of our land that the tales of our
wonders have palled upon his taste, and he
has often left the shore with an estimate
regarding the State and its people little
short of the absurd. The truth is our
self-conceit needs corrective. We are by
no means on the only spot of earth on
God's footstool. Beside the great East
and her resources we are pigmy State,
and in the swaddling clothes of very
pulling infancy. II we would send our
friends away with a good impression of
ourselves and our State, let us remember
that it is to be done more by modesty than
by boasting. There can be DO greater in
jury visited upon people than that which
flows from expectations raised that cannot
be realized. California has been hapless
victim to oyer-praise and marvellous recital
for the past thirty years, and no observant
citizen can have failed to read in our brief
history the sad results of our self-exalta-
ton. In guarding against the extravagant
we must not run to the other extreme
The Knights will see US at a great disad-
vantage in the midst of cur dry season !;
the hills parched and bare the plains a
burning furnace; the mountains unat.
tractive, except in their higher
reaches; our streams low, sluggish
aud turgid; our plains robbed of their
carpets of veriure and the tapestry
Of floral wealth that earlier clothes them
in the glories of the beautiful but in dep
recating these things we may excite the
suspicion of our visitors as to our veracity.
Disguise it as we may, Californians are
looked upon by their neighoors at the East
as near relatives OF Baron Munchausen, in
their recitals concerning their State. The
best we can do is to show our home to our
visitors as it is, and with especial modesty.
There will be enough to excite their won
der, awaken their interest and evoke COM
plimentsry comment, without awakening
regret for the things that are not TO be seen
OF enjoyed. We must be careful not to i'm.
press our visitors with the idea that their
visit is most unhappilY timed, however
true that may be. We shall have them
with us at the season when umbrellas and
overcosts may be safely left at home and
extra furs and wraps discarded at season
when the glories OF our orchards will be in
their prime; when California is at rest
from the heavy labors of the year, and her
people most ready to entertain when our
State is most accessible in every part
when our popular resorts are most attract
i've when our industrial, agricultural and
expositions will be open, and
the products of the land be laid be-
fore them for examination in short,
there are many reasons for
ourselves that our friends
come just when they do, and neither
earlier nor later. Let us make the best
appearance we may, excite no regrets in
their minds, and give them no cause to
think that our chief resource ia boasting.
In this connection we learn-and mention
the matter without consent-thst gentle
man, who has always manifested warm
interest in the capital city, has taken some
steps in the line of inquiry as to the posi-
bility of securing purses of sufficient mag
nitude to induce some Of the best drilled
TO be in attendance at the
State Fair in this city, in a competitive
drill, that would probably draw exceed
ingly large numbers of people to the city,
and afford thousands, who will be unable
to go to San Francisco, the opportunity of
meeting goodly portion of the flower Of
the assemblsge. Mr.. Boruck, who is
prominently connected with the commit
tees of arrangements for the reception aud
the entertainment of the Knights while in
California, believes that the plan is feas-
ible-at least he considers it worthy some
attention, and will probably consult with
our people with that idea in view. It will
certainly be gratifying to this people to be
able TO contribute to the entertainment of
these visitors while in California, and who
should not depart from the State without
being represented by large number Of
their body in visit to the capital city,
and we doubt not that if it can be shown
such visit can be comprised, our people
Al