The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-12

Wigley, Mayor H p Ford of Pittsburg.
and state Grand Commander Kuhn the
Grand Encampment was declared open and
Grand Master Warren Larue Thomas de-
livcred the annual address, lie said in part:
while we as knights Templars have
been moving along in the quiet, even tenor
of our way, stirring events have been
transpiring around US in which one and
all have been deeply interested. The star
spangled banner. that emblem of liberty and
Justice, has been unfurled and. kissed by
the breezes blowing from every section OF
our beloved country, has been borne aloft
by loyal and brave men ready TO die in its
defense. The cry and wall of the down.
trodden and oppressed-yea of the starving
men and women-so own shores at
length awoke strong and powerful nation
to a sense of justice and duty. Whatever
was left of sectonalism was wiped out.
Party lines were forgotten. Patriotism as
serted full sway and each section We'd with
the other in demanding that the daStardly
crime of the destruction of one of our no.
BILE ships freighted with American seamen
be avenged. The executive chair was oc-
cupied by one who had been taught never
to draw his sword save in just and vir-
tuous cause and who, believing that beau
tiful teaching should apply to nations as
we'll as individuals, did all that could be
done consistently with the honor of a great
nation to avert the calamity of But
it was not to be. With a nation STEPPED
in ignorance, vice and superstition, and with
an arrogance unbearable 1t was impossible
to come to any honorable terms. With
nation which had made no progress since
the dark days of her Inquisition and whose
whole civilization consisted of tyranny and
oppression it was not possible to deal save
by the bitter arbitrament of the sword.
1T was then that Sir knight William
Mckinley, President of the United States,
being satisfied of the justice of his cause,
pressed forward with fortitude undaunted.
He sounded the tocsin of war. He held
aloft the starry banner and in the name
of an oppressed and down-trodden and
starving people called lis countrymen to the
rescue And never in the history of the
world did men respond more quickly or
nobly to the call of gallant chieftain. Rich
and poor, old and young, men from every
section and of every party name rallied to
that call. European nations looked on with
wonder and surprise. We had been regarded
as a peace-loving people and it was sup
posed that we would be as deaf to the cries
of suffering humanity as they had shown
themselves to be. Our great resources were
known and talked of, but the United States
was not looked as q fighting nation. For
God and suffering humanity was the battle
cry The conflict, raging fierce and strong,
was soon over. A proud and arrogant ma
ton was humbled by the loss of vast pos
sessions and our own country had demon
strated to the world that, although peace
full people, we were the friends of humanity
and from this time on would be a factor
among the nations of the earth.
1.-THE results nave been all that the most
patriotic could wish for and have placed
upon us as nation grave responsibilities.
These responsibilities we cannot shirk. In
the sight of God we are charged to lead
these people whom He has proper to
give us from their forests of Ignorance and
vice to the bright land of civilization and
Christianity. 1t is our duty to take care of
them until they show their ability to
care for themselves. We should not only
incucate in their minds the proper respect
for self-government and self-control, but
prepare their hearts for the reception of
the highest order of civilization and Chris
tianity of which we are possessed. Under
the guidance of Almighty God we have
duty to perform for which we will be held
to strict accountability. With unbounded
faith in the integrity and wisdom of our
government and the patriotism of the
American people we believe that it will be
demonstrated to the world that we are equal
to the task and that generations yet unborn
will rise and call US blessed and chant
our praises for the stand we have taken
against tyranny and oppression and in be-
half of the distressed and oppressed of the
earth.'
The report of the grand treasurer, H.
Wales Lines, showed receipts of $26 791 and
disbursements of $9,727. The net cash re-
sources are $42154.
The report of the grand recorder William
H. Mayo, contained much statistical infor-
nation. The gains since the last conclave
have been: Knghted, $685. affiliated, 97S;
reinstated, 406; total 1914. The losses have
been: Died, 1858; Identified, 17S9; suspended,
unknightly conduct, "a; suspended for nom
payment of dues, 2,O6O; expelled, 81; total,
$685. The net gain was 2,736. There are now
99S communicates in the various States, with
a total Of 114,536 members. Including those
in the nineteen subordinate Communicates
q, 1863, the membership is 1859 In Indiana
there are forty Communicates, with mem
bership of 3.569 The receipts Of the grand
recorder were $175S9.
The meeting adjourned to reconvene at 10
a. M tomorrow morning When the cleo
ton is taken up on Thursday the of1lcers
will be moved up in rank, each point, ex-
cept the grand recorder, who holds his office
permanently. The grand prelate may be ad-
vanced. His term of office does not expire
triennially, but there is movement to
change the constitution regards this
office A grand junior warden is to be
elected and for this Office Lee S. Smith, of
this citv ia suggested.
NEW EMPEROR CHOSEN.