Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-10-16
A LABOR FESTIVAL.
THE KNIGHTS GRAND PARADE.
White Members of the Local Assem-
blies Refuse to March With the
Colored Men.

Monday was devoted by the delegates Of
the General Assembly of the Knights of La
Dor to the enjoyment of the entertainment
arranged in their honor by the knights Of
the Assemblies Of r chmond. In accordance,
with the Mayors proclamation all the city
offices were closed to permit the employees
to take part in the days festivities. Near
ly all the workshops manufactures AMI 9TH
er establishments were also closed. Early in
morning white and colored Knights were
seen every where, dressed in holiday attire,
wearing badges and insignia of their
order. The delegates to the General
Assembly were to assemble at O'Clock at
Armory Hall, but it was long past that hour
when they received word to fall in line and
proceed to Broad and Fourth streets where
the procession was formed. After 10 o'clock,
when the word March was given, the dele
gates and local assemblies with heaf quar-.
ters west Of Tenth street, marched down
Broad street to Twentieth, where they were
joined by the assemblies of the eastern
end of the city. Then the entire body
marched to Main street, to Laurel
thence to the State FAIR Grounds at the up
per end Of the city. The procession was
headed by squad Of police. BehiEd them
rode on horseback Grand Marshal Lynch,
white and colored aids riding on either side
of him. Behind the marching men rode in
carriages Mr.. Powderly, members of the Ex-
ecutive Board, other leading Knights, lady
delegates and the baby delegate, the three>
weeks-old daughter of District Master Work
man Rogers. of Chicago.
A few colored women rode in carriages
bringing up the rear Of this part of the pro-
csssion. The right of line of the local Knights
was held by Pioneer Assembly 3,572, of
Richmond, composed of colored knights
headed by colored band. Then came white
assemblies again, and bringing up the rear
were colored assemblies. The streets along
the route was lined with spectators. The
eastern end of the city especially was
thronged, the entire colored population SEEM
ing to have turned out to witness the parade.
Very few of the white members of the local
Assembly responded to the order of the
Master Workman to participate in tn,
parade. 1t is reported that fine of two
dollars will be imposed upon each contrary
member. The refusal of the whites to turn
cut was due to the presence of colored
Knights in the procession. There was not
a colored Knight of the city who was not in
line. The refusal Of resident whites to par
ticipate spurred them up to duty,
and they were highly elated.
So far as could be seen, good feeling
prevails. As the procession moved up the
streets the members of District Az received
cheers and groans, but the General Officers
were given universal ovation. The process
sion was exactly % minutes passing a given
point. Four men marched abreast, and by
actual count there were 2,s65 Knights in
line Adding those who were not Knights,
but were in line. the procession was com.
posed of about 1000 persons
The whites and blacks who were not dele.
gates were about equal in numbers, but of
the Richmond Assemblies the blacks were in
the majority. There were many visiting
knights from Pc ersburg, Fredericksburg
and other contiguous cities Excursions
were run into the city this morning from
nearly all the points within fifty miles of
Richmond