The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-18

seemed to be as popular with peopl
from all over the state as he Is with tn
people at home. Mayor Ross welcomed
the knights in behalf Of the city; Mr.
Davis welcomed them on behalf Of tn
knights of Pythias Of Wichita. 1t viii
be conceded that ne eloquently repre-
scented the hospitality Of the loca
knights. His address not only RAM
through and through with a strong feel
ing of enthusiastic welcome, but it wa
really a classic effort. He was loudl.
applauded.
The response to the welcome OF tn
citizens and of the Pyshians was mad
by Grand Chancellor r. ". McGonigal
In response TO your warm words, n
said, 81 hope you will accept our mos
sincere appreciation. This is truly tn
city Of conventions 1t has the grea
faculties for taking care Of large bodie!
Of people and it has the spirit that i!
able 10 give strangers that warm and
friendly welcome that makes people fee
at home while with you.
THE GRAND CHIEFS TALK.
Quite a demand was made for some
words from Mrs. ALA Hill Of Garrett
grand chief of the Grand Temple OF
Rathbone Sisters. After the applause
which greeted her appearance had sub
sided, she spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Brother Knights OF Py-
thias, Sisters and Friends:
II deem II an honor and a great priv
;f..1ra 70 in hoh of Ia n
Temple of Rathhone Sisters Of the grand
jurisdiction of Kansas to this happy
greeting rendered US by our brother
knights and hospitabie friends Of the
windy city So beautifully located on the
banks Of the Nile of Kansas. Most hear
tily we thank you for the very cordia!
reception you have given US. and we
take it as proof Of your sincerity when
you tender US the freedom Of your city
and the keys Of your homes.
1.-The liberty thus gained almost intox-
icates us, still We will strive to maintain
peace and harmony, conducting our
selves orderly enough that you may not
regret your kindness which we highly
appreciate. Realizing as We do the SUI
perior strength Of our knightly brothers
in retaining this great fertile state in
so short a time from sthe empire Of the
coyote and jack rabbit, and by your
skill and unoounded energy have built
such cities as ttis-cities that have fash
cd into their present noble proportions
almost by magic. This beautiful city
of churches. schools, homes and castle
nalls is a magnificent monument to its
founders, and right proud we are that
our grand lodge has the distinction and
honor of being entertained within its
borders in this royal manner by such
noble bands Of knights and brothers and
Sisters Of Rathbone as have everywhere
greeted US since we reached the city Of
Wichita. The spoken greeting tonight
has been but the oral expression of what
has been enacted all day by the citizens
Of this queen of cities, and for me 10 try
TO tell how happy this kindness has
made us would be vain indeed. Our
thoughts are too deep and too tender for
utterance and can only be expressed by
the reluctance with which we will leave
you.
''Since the days Of the creation ii has
not been we'll for man TO be alone, and
tot knowing any reason why Pythian-
ism should be an exception TO this gen.
eral rule. the .Rathbone Sisters has come
into existence to assist in bearing their
fraternal cares as well as augmenting
their joys. We intend to be in every
sense Of the word a helpmate, and
though we admit we are the weaker
bounds Of our fields of labor. Our tenn
piles are established in almost every
state and territory of the United States
with a constantly increasing member
ship. and the neophyte who kneels be-
fore the altar where rests our book of
law, takes vows upon himself or her
self which, if rightly kept. make them
forever from that hour the friends Of
virtue and the foe of vice, and they
emerge from the castle hall to be from
that time forth the loyal champion of
the cause of hight. On such pure prin-
ciples We have built our fraternal struc-
.u:e and in less than nine years have
saw, Ind, TO hundreds Of temples scat
tered from Maine to California and from
Minnesota to Texas, with a total men,
oership Of almost 10000 In Kansas we
have in less than seven years establish
I'd sixty-six temples who now have a
membership Of nearly $500, and thus
you see in the face Of hard times we
nave grown from a tiny, delicate hot
house plant 10 study oak-strong in
noble, high principles, and full of energy
o push them to perfection. My broth
ers. in response to your splendid greet
ng, we Offer you our undivided assist
nice and trust that there may be no bar
o our cooperating through all the years
. come, for We all know in union there
S strength.
Wherever a temple exists the broth
,rs may without fear OF failure look for
in able and willing ally, one that never
stands back when called upon 10 ale
tate any of life's cares and sorrows or
Brighten the gloom for those who are en-
-eloped in darkness. Tonight. greeting
II Friendship. Charity and Benevolence
, Purity, Love, Equality and Fidelity
MY serves 10 draw US nearer together
ind rekindies our desire TO be foremost
n putting in force these grand and no.
DE principles. Once again le; me in be-
iaf OF my sisters thank you for the
Kindly feeling everywhere prevalent and
or this unmisiakable welcome. When
We have scattered 10 our many homes be
sure this yisi; to Wichita by the
knights of Pythias will ever remain
bright spot in our busy lives May you.
never grow less and your num-
oers be greatly multiplied until You are
II immense army marching onward
IND upward limiting your uas,aiaed
banners higher and higher till they blend
With the skies"
The next speaker was Brigadier Cen
'ral Joseph Lyon Of The uniform rank.