Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-07

The Uniform OF the Modern knights -
the Temple.

The Uniform OF the Modern knights -
the Temple.
TIE YIcrrRfsouE COSTUME yrHsr .poyrrp-rov
rHr oHASos CANE TO m E.DE-A sEn-nus-
rAsf ArTIRr-TnK LOCAL coExAxpKlIsA
Inc brilliant pageantry Of q public psrsAs
oy the knights Templsr 10 one OF the striking
features OF the triennial oonclaves The mar.
snaiing OF large bodies Of men With military
precision and their marching in orderly lines
70 the inspiring strains Of martial music 10 q
itsen spectacle sufficient to attract crowds of
sdmiring spectators. When. in addition the
uniforms are handsome and striking. with
sumcient variety in color 10 avoid monotony,
The spectacular effects are complete The
knights Templar parade combine ell these
features and not only on the day Of the parade,
but on all the days that the visitors will throna
the streets Of the city the Knighs Templaf
UNIFORM VIII be familiar sight Ii will be In
teresting TO give some account OF the origin Of
the present uniform. IL may be said the
present form u the outcome of great deal Of
legislation on the part Of the Grand sncamp-
ment
TIE KARLr COSTUME
In the early days Of Knight Templary the
dress adopted Was picturesque. but rather un-
suitable 10 the needs of modern duties Of
knights Templar. IL was ss follows:
white wooden mantel 90 reach the knee in
front, and taper away to the ankle behind
fastened with white cord and tsssel, and with Q
red cross patee on the leu shoulder; white
WOODEN tunic reaching to about three or four
inches above the knee, with the cross upon the
lett Breast white stock, with falling white shirt
collar; tight white pantaIoons; buh boots with
pun tops turned over five inches broad, no
tasssir; spurs gilt, with red feathers; sash Of
white silk, half yard in breadth, tied In Q
Knot IN front, the ends edged with . white silk
fringe hanging down and small
red Gross near the extremities,
white wooden cap with red leather
band. or, If he has obtained q diploma from
the Grand master. q red velvet cap; no feather
cfoss-Llited sword with brass guard. and white
ivory halt; scabbard OF red morocco; belt OF
RED leather, with gilt buckle; bun gauntlets,
with red cross on the wrist. badge, and
enameled black cross. with white orle, and
small red cross enameled thereon, Suspended
from the neck by q red ribbon with white
edges. about two inches broad, passing through
the ring Of the badge.
CHANCE MADE.
subsequently q more practicable dress VS.
adopted. The suit Was black. with black gloves.
black velvet sash. trimmed with silver lace,
crossed the body from the left shoulder 70 the
right hip. having at its end a cross-hilted dag
. y
Maltese cross at the end Where the sash
crossed the left breast was a nine poin ted star
IN silver, with a cross aud serpent OF gold in
the center, within h circle. around which were
the words In hoe slgno yinces." The apron
was OF black velvet. In triangular form, and
edged with silver lace. On its dap wa "a sced
triangle Of silver. perforated with twelve
holes, with cross and serpent in the center.
On the center OF the apron a skull and
cross-bones between three stars OF seven points,
nav rod 81. - ~.
belt was back, 10 which was attached a cross-
hhted sword The caps varied in form
and decoration IN different encampmeutA
THE ORDER OF 1854
Another alteration was made in 1862, when
the Grand encampment OF the United States
directed that the dress should consist Of q black
frock coat and pantaloons, with white scarf
and sword belt and white gauutlets Finally AZ
the Chicago conclaye il was directed that the
coat should be cut military fashion, and that
the buttons should be Of gilt The order has
not, however, been very strictly followed
There Is still a lack OF complete uniformity.
Some Communicates have retained the cape
and apron, others have varied the shape OF the
hat and Others again have not deemed II
sential that their coats should be of precise
military fashion
THK LOCAL ooNMASpERrEs
All the communicates in this District. with
the exception Of Washington, No. 1, wear the
uniform with white sash aud belt and no apron.
No. l, however. still retains what il known 20
the black uniform" They have adhered 70
this uniform in spIte of the order Of the Grand
encampment to the contrary. When the dele
gates attended the Grand encampment In 1874
At New Orleans they were forbidden 10 wear
this uniform. They all went TO New Orleans,
however. headed py the late Henry Z. stsns-
bury, and, while they did not wear the pre-
scribed uniforms they carried them along in
their trunks. The matter brought
up In the sessions of the Grand en-
campment, and, after u long discussion, .
resolution was adopted permitting certain COM
manderies, No being among the number, 70
wear this uniform. AS soou as TINS b, cIsion
was reached the forbidden uniforms appeared
from their hiding places and the members OF
No. walked about the streets Of New Orleans
in triumph displaying the then celebrated
BLACK uniform" The Knight Templar dress
may be described as severe military in charsc-
ter. the different parts Of the uniform have
no Templar significance, but Templar symbols
are introduced ornaments and also 70 give
character to the uniform.
HALF Rates TO BALTIMORE DuRrSe TIE
CusCLAvE.-For accommodation OF visitors 70
Washington during the conclsve the Pennsyl-
wanna railroad viii sell excursion Tickets to
Baltimore on October 2, 8, 3, 10 and IL al
Sl.Z 70 for round trip, good TO return until the
l2ih. Elegsntly-appointed fast express trains
leave the centrally LOCATED 6th-street station. .
ATHLETIC CONTESTS.