New-York tribune., 1901-05-23
MASONS' GUEST
FRATERNAL GREETINGS EXCHANGED
WITH KNIGHTS TEMPLAR IN
san FRANCISCO.

| San Francisco May 22-Presdent Mckinley
was the guest of the Knights Templar at the
Mechanics Pavilion this afternoon. He arrived
at the pavilion about o'clock and was met by
a procession of fourteen hundred knights from
thls city and other parts of the State In 1uil
regalia, and escorted inside the building. where
twelve thousand people had assembled Inc
appearance of the President on the platform
caused a demonstration that shook the large
building. General w. H Barnes introduced the
President, and choir of $50 voices sang the
"Templars Prayer" accompanied by band or
sixty pieces. Then President Mckinley respond
ed to the address of welcome speaking as fol-
lows:
General Barnes, Sir knights, Ladies and Cen
tlemen: 1 thank you for this fraternal welcome
had no conception that was to be treated 10
such scene as is presented here to-day, ana
want to thank my brother Masons and thelr
families and their friends for this more than
gracious meeting which is unique, differing from
any of our receptions in the long journey whcn
we have made from the capital city of the nation
TO this city by the
We have every variety of association IN the
United States. In this land of liberty we ENJOY
the freedom of association together for worthy
and noble purposes We have fraternal So
cieties; we have our church associations; we
have our political connections, but we all belohS
to a brotherhood to which we are strongly at
tached, which commands our love and devotion
the brotherhood of American citizenship under
a common constitution, engaged in securing the
highest rewards for free people by pursuing the
paths or duty and honor. (Great applause A
brotherhood that represents the highest hopes,
not of the people of the United States alone but,
We believe. the best hopes of humanity.
brotherhood that can never be broken. 1t stood
a great trial thirty-nine years ago. II was
tried in the awful Crucible of war, and the fra
ternity dedicated to freedom sloriously triumphs
So now ii is closer. dearer, more sacred than
il has been before in all our history. (Great
applause.) 1t is a brotherhood devoted to hu-
man rights and the development of the best
ms liberty
change its quality, and American freemen 90
not change their cheer wherever they go or
wherever they may reside whether on the sea
or on land 1t is that quality and cheer that
scatters its benefits wherever ii goes. Liberty,
freedom of conscience, equality and opportunity
are its passwords (Great appause)
What noble conception ii was Of the fathers!
The founding of this government not upon the
will and Judgment of the few, but upon the
will and judgment and conscience of the many;
a government in which all the people of every
State participate in citizenship that is equal
everywhere; citizenship is equal in States in a
Union that has never been equalled. tGreat
applause) And whether American manhood
and American liberty go to Cuba or to Porto
Rico, or to Hawaii or TO the Philippines, IT
raises the same standard great applause) and
proclaims the same principles that for a century
and a quarter this self-governing people have
enjoyed. And it is this government, my fellow
citizens. this government Of the people and by
the people that is committed to the safe and
sacred keeping of the men of this generation
and the women of this generation. Great ap-
plause) Good Masons make good citizens zap
plause), and good citizens everywhere, Masons
Masons, will forever preserve this jewel of
liberty in the family of nations.
l thank you more than 1 can tell you for this
warm welcome. I shall carry away with me the
incidents of this memOra BILE reception and the
sympathy which you have been kind enough TO
show here to-day. Great applause)
The Sir Knights of California could have pre-
sented no gift that could have been s greatly
priced the beautiful flag. and l assure Cen
eral Barnes that | will not lose II: and | pray
that while II is in my hands with the aid OF the
people OF the United States It will never lose
any OF its great glory. Great applause)
Every knight and Mason carried a small
American flag. They waved necessarily
through the exercises. A beautiful American,
silk flag mounted a staff at the top OF which
is a spearhead of gold, presented to the
President The Star Spangled Banner"
sung by the audience, and there patriotic
demonstration which will long be remembered
by all who Witnessed it, This closed the eNer-
cises for the afternoon and the President
turned TO the Scott house.