Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-28

ness, that wha tever adds to it's beauty and
dignity benefits not merely the people who
happen to reside at this chosen seat of fed
eral authority, but is demanded also by the
American people. who intend that their cap
ital shall correspond to and be il keeping
with the majestic domain of which it is the
political center.
Whatever reasons may have actuated
you. l say with all earnestness that our en-
tire people deem themselves honored by
your choiea Of our city as your place of
meeting. Very many Of our busiest and
most influential citizens have worked in
harmony with the worthy members of your
local organization TO make this occasion
memorable In your annals. They have
gladly given their lime and their expe-
rience TO this cause by reason Of their re-
spect for your organization, and in order
that the high standard of hospitality which
has always characterized the capital might
not be lowered.
Broad Tenets of the Order.
You are representatives Of a contingent
in territorial extent. Vast as is the ex-
panse of the republic from which you have
assembled 1t is not more broad than the
tenets of your order. In this period of
financial trouble. when We share with the
civilized world the embarrassment of uni
versal business depression. with accom-
paniments OF suffering among worthy peo-
pie and occasional violence and lawlessness.
ii Is we'll that citizens belonging to or
which is devoted to the principles of law
and order. whose members have implicit
faith in the government of the people,
should assemble at the capital and renew
their fealty to the Constitution and the
laws of the United States.
when your order first arrived at ma
turity the fires Of the civil war were still
smoldering; there was still needed for a
renewed and complete reunion of the states
the restora ton of fraternal love and affec-
ton between the people Of the north and
the people of the south. The wonderful
growth of the order of the knights of
Pythias in the states then lately in conflict
united the men who had met upon fields
of battle in the mystic ties of common
brotherhood and the widespread adoption
Of the principles of friendship. charity and
benevolence was a most potent factor in the
establishment of a reunion of the hearts of
the American people.
You are more than welcome to the Dis
trict of Columbia; all that 1t contains of
national and historic interest Is at your
pleasure. You may. perhaps visit the Sol
Oilers Home, where the veterans of the
army of the United States pass their last
days in peace and comfort. From that
vantage ground of observation you may be-
hold, as in a picture, framed by the Poto-
mac and Anacostia, the home CT the federal
government. Beyond the great river you
will see the last resting place of the honor
ed dead at Arlington. You VIII parade up
on that historic avenue over which success
sive Presidents of the United States have
passed to their inaugural ceremonies.
May all that you see that Is typical of
YOUR countiys greatness among the powers
of the earth. all that is Illustrative of the
spire in your hearts a higher love of our
free institutions, and frmer resolve to
maintain in it's integrity the heritage of a
government of the people,"