The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-10-01
Republican Ticket.
Thursday, Oct. 1, 1896.
Chivairy.

During the dark era of the middle
ages, there arose IA school of moral
discipline, the institution of chival.
ry. Willie we feel like locking upon
this gloomy period of the worlds
history with the scorn aud con
tempt IL Justly merits, we can per-
ceive the approving smile of Heaven
upon those young and daring
knights. who so gallantly advanced
the cause cf Chivalry. Surrounded
with all the immoral propensities OF
that most barbarous age, these faith
full knights inculcated the soundest
virtues now known among mankind.
The outbursts Of the spirit Of lib
erty, honor and religion were as en-
during as they were wonderful.
Wonderful, indeed, it is. that dur
ing such periods of proiligacy, there
should be cherished those exalted
sentiments of chivalry. Arising at
the time when feudal lords were in
supremacy, chivalry still retained
some feudal practices. The most
praiscworthy element of chivalric
times Sas the high esteem in which
they held the female sex. The ro-
mantle gallantry towards women
left lasting traces upon the human
mind The principles then advocat-
ed are now among the most exalted
virtues.
Among the characteristic traits of
knights were valor, loyalty, court
esy, and muniticence. Loyalty to
them meant fidelity to engagements,
whether bodily expressed or tacitly
implied. No greater breach of 10y
atty could be committed than the
want of lovers fidelity towards
the lady he served. Breach of faith
was n misdemeanor for which no
shown not only in good breeding
and true politeness, but in keen
respect for others, even though they
be your most bitter enemies. The
constant duty OF all knights was the
unselfish and benevolent assistance
to the poor of their order. and the
progress of religious liberties. A
keen sense of honor, the distribu-
ton of justice. and II scorn to evil
doors, are additional virtues found
in every true knight
To promote the underlying prin-
ciples of chivalry, four distinct
causes exercised their influence
The schools for the instruction of
the sons of nobility, inculcated in
the youth of the land, the emulation
of superior virtues. They We'd with
each other to please visitors and
especially ladies at balls and ban
qucts The support this movement
gave to the soyereigns, led them to
encourage chiyalric ideas. The
Union which the festivals and tour
naments effected, tended to increase
taking Of the crusades to the Holy
Land.
The honorary and substantial
privileges of knighthood, stamped
its impress upon its advocates.
Their armor and spurs, signifying
their rank, were recognized in for
eign lands as veil as III their own.
The achievements of military eX-
ploits, to which the customs of chival
ry tended, laid another foundation
stone for the propagation Of knight
ly virtues. The promotion which
military success brought to the vic.
tors, caused the display of the
the most generous virtues of chival-
ry, and offered high premium to
the brayest deeds and the most dar-
ing exploits.
The days of chiyalry are gone.
The valiant and gallant knights, who
so vigorously sought to benefit man
kind, are now no more. These no.
BILE sons have perished their bones
have crumbled into dust, but rem
nants of the good they have done
still remain as eternal monuments
to their memory. Thousands upon
thousands of polished American gen
tlemen to day raise their hats to the
female sex, only as n relic of knight
ly virtues, Many n sympathizing
tear is dropped for some poor soul
in grief. Many consoling word is
uttered in time of trouble, which
without the lasting gallantry OF
Mediaeval knights, would never
have found expression. All praise
all honor, all glory, be to those
young knights for the virtues which
they exhibited and the good they
accomplished Their names and
their deeds shall never be forgotten