The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1884-05-29

A Gorgeous, Dazzling Column OF
Uniformed Knights,
Which Made the Mind Revert to
Medieval Times.
18TH Annual Session Of the Grand Lodge OF
Ohio, knights Of PNhlas.
er-r=FT-s
Tho Second Annual Session Of the Grand
Division Each Days Proceed
ings Ia Detail.
MONDAYS PROCEEDINGS.

Canton Ia arrayed in gorgeous holiday
attire In honor OF the event, as properly
BELTS her. Az m early hour this morn
ing the work OF decorating residences
and places OF business was begun, md
Is still In Congress. Tue DEMOCRAT
building was the arst 10 put on It's h0li-
day dress, having been beautifully deco
rated yesterday afternoon, Everybody
seems TO be aglow with enthusiasm,
aud the members OF Buckeye Lodge
No. II have been working ike
Beavers since three O'Clock this morn.
Ing decorating various buildings about
the city, oDd erecting the evergreen
canopy suspended over the square. Cas-
tie Hall, In the Harter Block, IN tasteful
ly decorated, aud presents q handsome
appearance, while most OF the business
blocks are resplondent with adOrnmenta
consisting of emblematic flags, the
red, blue and yellow col0rs OF the
order and the National cOlOrs. Up 10
the hour Of going TO press none OF the
visiting delegations have arrived, but u
large number Of them will without
doubt arrive this evening. Grand Chan
cellOr Walter B. Richie, of Lima, arrived
In the city yesterday afternoon, and ~
Qnartered at tho Metropolitan Hotel. Az
brief history of the Knights OF Pyth
las may be OF interest TO the readers OF
the DEMOCRAT, and as II will certainly
be opportune at this timo, II ls herewith
presented, preiaced by
THE STORY on DAMON AND PYTnIAs 9.
The organization OF the Knights OF
Pythias IL based on the sublime hist0r'
ical incident of Damon and Pythias,
one of the most notable examples of
pure friendship In the annals OF the
human race. These two friends, Damon
and Pythias, lived in the city Of Syra-
cuse, In the island OF Sicily, at the be-
ginning Of the fourth century b. q.
Pythiaa WAS u soldier by profe 4aioD,
while Damon had given himself up 10
scholastic purduits, and both had an
equally ardent patriotism and deter
mined hatred Of tyranny. AT the open
Ing Of the story Of these two friends the
government Of Syracuse was demo-
cratic, with Dl0nysius the tyrant nj its
head, who was at this time plotting Ito
overthrow, for the purpose OF making
himself absolute ruler, thing no
eventually succeeded In doing. Under
this regime Damon and Pythias both Oc-
cupled prominent places, the fol mer In
the Senate and the latter In the army.
Damon. suspeCtlng the designs OF do
nyslus, watched him closely, and over.
hearing an officer OF his tampering with
the fidelity Of some troops, intertered
In such manner that his life was only
saved by the timely aid OF Pythlas. Da.
mon hurried 60 the Senate chamber and
found present large body Of soldiers,
thing positively forbidden by law.
His astOnishment ut this was still fur.
ther increased by the proposition In the
Senate TO allow Dlonysius u large body
guard, which was also violation Of
law! Against this innovation Damon
Rercely declaimel, but without effect
aud, despalrlngof his c0untly's liberties
under Dionysius. he made an attempt
TO take the life Of the tyrant. Foiled
In this attempt, he was seized and hur.
ried away TO Instant execution. In the
meantime Pythlas fearing the pat.
rlOtism Of his friend would
lead him into danger fastened
from the side OF his betr0thed bride
10 the Senate House In time TO see Da.
mon being taken off to execution, and
denied the boon Of bidding his wife and
child goodby. Pythias earnestly Joined
his suppllcatl0ns To those of Damon, and
without being solicited 10 do 10 by the
latter, he offered TO take the place Of Da-
mon and be surety for his return, even
TO death. DlOnysius, struck by this
strange offer, consented TO the exchange,
assuring Damon, however, that, IL he
were not back by sunset, Pythi0s should
suffer death IN his stead. Taking a
hnsty leave Of his noble friend, Damon
hurried to his home, many miles away,
while Pythlas, loaded with chains, was
cast Into a dungeon. His willingness
TO take Damon's place had made a deep
impression on the tyrant's mind, who
had no faith In wnat was called friend.
ship, even g0lUg 80 fur az TO deny the eX.
isi0nce Of such u thing. Disgusting
himself, Dionysius visited the prison,
whore he ondeay0rod 10 persuade Pythl-
as 10 Zee, Offering every inducement.
and bringing every possible argument
to bear, but OF no await, for the noble
minded man refused his offers. While
Dionyslus was thus striving, the bride
OF Pythias, whom no had left unwedded
ht the altar, came into the prison, nnd
besought him, by the strongest Of argu.
ments--love--t0 fly, at the same time
pointing to Il vessel Mt Il point near by,
that had been prepared to convey him TO
another land. lt%as a terrible trial TO
which he was subjected, and the argu.
ments almost too strong for human ma.
ture 10 resigt but resist them no did,
and awaited the dread hour
Damon, mounted on swift steed, Ind
sped TO his home, arranged his affairs,
st0utly resisted the moving appeals Of
hlswife and child not to return, said the
last sad farewell TO them ,and hastened
10 return, but was overwhelmed with
surprise and Indignation to ilud that his
slave, Lucullus, had slain his horse to
prevent his return.
In the city the hour OF sunset came
but Damon had not returned, and no
signs OF his appearance were visible.
The brave pythlas was led forth TO exc
cution, and nothing daunted, but with
q lrm faith In the honor Of his friend
no ascends the platform, unterriaed at
the sight Of tho axe and block, the In
Btruments OF hiS now almost certain
death. His face is radiant with smiles
rs he exclaims to those about him: "Tis
sweet TO die forfhose we lovel" In the
west the sun was sinking lower and
lower, and the time was near when the
death knell Of Pythias would be pro.
claimed, stamping with falsehood and
treachery the friendship Of Damon. But
at the moment Of execution, Damon,
mounted on o steed OF foam,
burst Into the assembly, threw
himself from his horse, and dust stained
and breathless, foil exhausted into the
arms OF PythiHs, exclaiming, "You are
safe my beloved friend; the gods DO
praised, you arc safel" II was q moment
OF intense Joy TO Pythias, and of intense
surprise to the wondering IyraDt, Dlony.
sius pythias reioiced, not that his