The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-24

Guided a banquet at the Mechanics IN
stitute ami visits to various places Oh
interest In Richmond. -.
of regslia was presented TO the Richmond
Commandcry by the DE Molay bhcaihp-
ment. ,,, ..,.,,
ed leave takIngs In the parlors OF the TX
The sir knights passed on their way
home through Philadelphia, New ! ork
and Providence, and were III each OF
these cities enthusiastically received
ON reaching Boston the De Molay En-
campmcnt took part In grahi patdue
and were treated TO iestiVal III Nassau
Hall A. -.
England sir knights TO Richmond. 'ihat
II fulfilled every expectation Is suincletnly
shown by the fact that when the DE MO-
lay and ST. Johns comHahueiles We
reminded Of their promise 10 return tle
second visit Of the Nirslniahs, pdiu III
1g1s they eagerly made ready TO lnVad.
the cC1u.ry Of the Southerners once
As the visit of the Virginia organiza-
ton To Boston I'm 1873 was made In con-
nection with the celebration OF the Bat
tie OF Bunker Hill centennial II was one
OF special significance, evoklng, as IL 40
interesting comments from writers an
over the country on the tendency when
IT indicated TO heal the wounds or sec
tiOnal amin Osity and cement anew the
fraternity OF patriotic feeling for which
Virginia and Massachusetts mad been
prc-eminent I'm the earlier de- ilopment
OF the republic.
EarIc in the year 1875 when the plans
FOR the celebration Of the centennial OF
the LATHE OF Bunker Hin were under
discussion. IL was decided by ny ne 40
lay COmmaudery to invite the kiC>'inond
Commandery to take part In the Masonic
parade on that occasion, ana renew me
acquaintances - long interrupted by the
civil war.
mark that the Masonic organizations
have always shown a spirit OF quick re-
at3iatiOn after the interruption OF war
as is cXemplinei by the prcmptness with
which they renewed after the BRUSH
evacuation Of Boston the formal meetings
and records which had been interrupted
during the year OF military occupancy.
oEirrHS The oouRrtsY.
Under the date Of March 81. 1915. a
cordial letter of invitation was sent ny
the DE Molay COmmandery OF Richmond
asking the fraters OF virginia 10 come
L. Massachusetts, and allow an oppOrtunl-
~ Tor return Of the generous hospital
ty extended 10 the sir knights OF DE Mo-
lay and 81. John Communicates IN 1853.
The invitation was accepted by the
Richmond COmmaQdery under date OF
April s. lSl.. and on Wednesday after
noon June I6. 1875 the knights Templar
OF Boston and vicinity turned out with
fun ranks and received the N-fglnla
brothers. escorting them TO Faneuii -1all.
where the city officials welcomed the
southern guests.
ON the day following. which was the
centennial OF the memorable 18th or June,
hen the first battle OF the Revolution
as fought the southern guests TOOK ac-
tive part I'm the grand parade and general
festivities I'm commemorative Of the
event. tho demonstrations being every
whore chronicled as one OF national
meaning. IL was remarked on every mana
that the men from virginia WED with
those ~ Massachusetts In manifestations
of pride in the event, which aided IN lay
ing the foundation Of the common coun-
try. and 10 was fitting, for this was the
battle which led. In less than a month,
% that scene under the elm in Cambridge
when the great Nrgnian. George ash
ington, took command Of the army.
The occasion was enhanced when IN
the course OF the celebration the orators
Of the South were such soldiers as COL
Andrew and Fitzhugh Lee. and those
for the North were Gems. sherman, kilpa-
trick and burnside.
During the parade the heartiest rccep-
ton OF all was given 10 the civic ana
military visitors from the South. Later
i'm the day there was exercises In tent
on Bunker Hill an Grafton by Gen Dev-
ems and a brilliant illumination OF the
monument
The members Of the home and visiting
| Knights Templar had not only the gen
eral patriotic reasons for pride IN the
time and place, but also those appropriate
| TO the general fraternity 20 which they
| belonged as they recalled the fact that
/ Warren and other cOnspicOus patriots VINO
fought on that field We're leaders Of their
! orifr. and mat the cornerstone OF the
monument inselt was laid by Lafayette
! with Masonic ceremonies
other cOurtesies that followed for a
few days made the visit OF the southern
knights Templar fitting part Of the
long history Of friendly intercourse be-
tween the communicates Of the Two
colonies OF Virginia"
They lid not depart without promise
from the DE MOlays 20 accept the nos
pitalitcs OF Richmond a promise which
was carried out some six years later.
TO OLD yIEGINNY.
The second departure took place from
the old Colony depot on Thursday after
noon. May 10. ISL They started under
Garry Ne Back 20 old Nirgnny'
At Fail river they We're joined by the
| ST. Johns command OF Providence, max
/ INK altogether party which numbered
$50 members. The same course was fol-
I lowed as on the occasion Of the first trip.
/ In Washington the sir knights marched
| IN procession through the principal streets
% the White House. where they were
reviewed by President Garfield.
The formal reception took place IN the
evening at the Masonic Han, where r. G..
! ThOrp spoke the words of welcome. on
! the following day visits we're made 10
other points Of interest on Sunday tit
sir knights attended divine service at tht
/ metropolitan church.
At Frcdrlcksburg. which was reached
! Monday, May %. the population had
! gathered in large numbers 10 welcome
the visitors. who were again received IN
! right hospitable fashion az the residence
/ OF r. q. Chew. Here speeches were made
/ bv Judge j. T. GoOlrick. of Fredericks-
! burg. and Sir Knight Rev. W. ;. studley,
! Of Boston.
/ At Richmond the sir knights were greet
| "a by the booming OF the HOwitzer's
/ guns. and by grand massing or the
! Richmond Templars. The visitors We're
/ Welcomed bv eX-Sr Knight Thomas J..
/ Wvans. replies being made by g. Wal
/ bridge Of the De Molays and &. RhoIes
/ of the s.. Johns
During the subsequent march into the
/ city, the banners of the De Moiay ana
:. johns cOmmanderics were crowned
/ with Wfcaths Cf choice flowers.
At the park "a second salute of 81 guns
At the Exchange Hotel the visitors
were welcomed by Sir Knight ". q.
! English.
! In the evening the ladies' OF Richmond
/ rendered a reception 70 the ladies Of the
/ visiting sir knights AZ the Richmond
! Theatre. which had been profusely decor
| ated FOR the occasion. IL was also In the
| Richmond Theatre that the formal re-
| ccptiOn on the part OF the state and city
! authorizes took place on the morrow.
| The principal feature or the occasion
was the address by Gov. Holiday who
] babe the sir knights Of New England a
/ cordial welcome 10 Virginia.
Speeches were also made by Sir knight
| Stualoy. Mayor Darlington. Generals