The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-10-18
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
nal Correspondence to the Free Press

Special Correspondence to the Free Press
WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct. 10.-The tele-
graph has given you the facts connected
with the triennial conclave of knights
Templar. On Tuesday the grand par
ade took place, in which $4,000 Knights
took part. The procession was three
hours in passing given point. The
President and his cabinet stood for four
hours reviewing the parade. The sight
was most impressive and grand. The
Knight Templar uniform, with its wav.
ing plume and artistic design, is beauti-
full even on a dummy ina shop window;
but when worn by the largest and finest
| specimens of manhood in the world, the
effect is inspiring. 1t is an honor to be
citizen of country producing such
noble men. The banner of the cross
never looked finer, and bravely was it
borne. The Boston communicates were
notable for their splendid personnel,
scarcely a knight among them being
| less than six feet in height. The Ken
lucky delegations were composed OF
men of almost giant stature, while those
from Ohio were their equals In that re-
spect and were even heavier. There
were many notable and unique features
and incidents. One commandery carried
live eagle, reminding me of the old
Eighth Wisconsin Eagle regiment dur
ing the war, though the national bird
did not carry himsel: with the degree OF
| dignity and composure that character
lied "Oid Abe" Another delegation
carried live bear, which attracted
general notice. The San Francisco con-
tIngent was mounted on coal-black
| horses, and took the palm for their chiv-
| alrOus and knIghtly appearance. AS the
Virginia Knights passed the President,
as If moved by one hand, every Knight
dotted his plumed hat and carried it on
his shoulder till well past the reviewing
stand. This mark of respect seemed to
please the President more than any
other incident of the parade, with hat in
hand, he bowed and smiled till the Vir-
ginians passed; Asa large number. OF
political party, the incident is notable %
an example of courtesy and respect to
the incumbent of the presidential Office,
let him be of whatsoever political faith.
The Old Dominion knights are certainly
gentlemen.
Naturally the sight of the Mime.
sofa contingent was interesting to me,
and as Damascus, No. l, ofSt. Paul, and
Zion, No. 2, of Minneapolis, came in
sight, heading the eleventh division,
reminded near-bystanders of the last
campaign by asking: w hats the mat
ter with Minnesota" Evidently she
was all right. The well-known features
of w. d. CORNISH and Capt. Ed. Bean,
Of st. Paul, would be recognized any
where. In fact the entire delegation
had familiar look. The North Star
State stands high in the noble. galaxy :of
of the Union, in Masonic and other cir
cles.
/ desire to say a word of and for Gen.
A. B. Campbell, of Topeka, Kan, whose
name has been favorably connected with
the vacancy at the head of the bureau Of
pensions, and who is now stopping at
the National. He is fine lawyer, an
able man, and of excellent character.
He has the strongest possible endorse.
ment of all the. Kansas state officers, and
and host of prominent men in that
state. Gen. Campbell came to Washing
ton as an applicant for foreign APP
pointment-preferabl to Melbourne.
On hisarrival, the Tanner fiasco rem
dered it possible for him to be made
commissioner of pensions. Through
private and reliable sources l learn so
much to Mr.. CampbelPs credit that I
believe his appointment would be most
excellent one. 1t is thought his chances
are equal to those of anyone yet con-
sidered. w. L. A.