Arizona republican., 1905-06-28

to afford the Sir Knights the oppor- tunity to say goodbye to their eminent commander.
 The tables were spread in the form Of a cross in the main hall of the asy- lum, under the electric fans, and very comfortable conditions prevailed for this season of the year. An hour was spent in miscellaneous conversation when the banquet was announced and the Sir Knights gathered about the ta bles, the guest of the evening, toast master and past grand commanders and members of the grand command cry being gathered about the head Of the tables. A light but generous re- past followed accompanied by elegant ices, Roman punch lemOnades and fin ally by cigars at which point the toast master, Sir Knight J. M. Swetnam, past commander. called the assemblage to order and "the feast of reason and flow of soul" followed. Postmaster Swetnam in a. few welf chosen and courtly remarks introduced this fea- ture of the occasion, alluding in feel ing terms to the departure of the emi- nent commander and his work as a Knight Templar. He then called upon Past Grand Commander Thomas Arm strong jr., Past Grand Commander r. J. Bennitt, Grand GeneraIissimo J. J. Sweeney Past Commander N A. Nor ford. Past Commander D. Nicholson, Captain General Geo. H. N. Luhrs, Sir Knight L. N. Jesunofsky, Sir Knight w. H. Hawkin of AscelOn command cry, St Louis. and Recorder F. A. Shaw. who each responded in point | ed, appropriate, often eloquent, and l feeling terms. There were no set "toasts' and no set speeches; all were | imprOmptu.
 Dr. Swetnam as toastmaster was particularly happy in his introduction of the various Sir Knights whom he desired to hear from. often giving amusing and interesting sketches of | the individuals and how they came to 1 be Sir Knights and citizens of the com munity.
 Finally Postmaster Swetnam called upon Past Grand Master r. F. Park CT, who afforded the surprise of the evening to Eminent Commander Hal 1 sey, who had, up to this time, been kept one material point in the dark. At the close of a very neat and touch ing speech Captain Parker produced from somewhere a most elegant com mander's sword and belt. chapeau, lShoulder-straps. etc, which he pro- ceeded to present in the name of Phoe- nix Commandery No. to Eminent ] N-a14AllltdiiutE TldlStNs WHO WAS QeEDlN touched at this unexpected evidence Of regard from the Sir Knights of his commaRdery.
 Captain Parker in making the pre- sentation. spoke in part as follows; l MT. Postmaster. Eminent Comman-
 der and Sir Knights
 'It is not always when called upon to speak that subject has been sug- gested, neither is the subject always pleasant theme that affords amuse- ment intended only for the passing moment The duty assigned to me to- night is one of pleasure. and vet of sadness. When in our intercourse with our fellows. our pathway seems strewn with flowers. we meet smiling f. ces, clasp the glad hand and receive the hearty hand clasp, then the bright side of life is before us, but when We reach d parting of the ways then a feeling of loneliness. even sadness. Overshadows us and we are forced to recall the scenes through which we have passed and dwell upon and live over again those scenes which will become but a memory or milestone in our journey. And now. Sir Knights. are We nearing q parting. Sir Knight Halsey is soon to depart for duties in other fields. perhaps at or near the old home where the recoIlections of early associations cluster around him and may bring joy to him as he sewers the social, fraternal and knightly ties that bind him to us. Sir Knight Halsey received the orders of Knighthood about eight years ago in Phoenix commandery No. 8. at the request of his commandery in Oswego. New York, after which he asked for his de- init and presented it here and was re- fafaiH~ rod fvnr.. which time We all bear testimony to his punctuality in attendance and the faithful discharge of knightly duties with us. As excellent prelate. he en- deared himself to every member of this comnandery, and during his ser vice there has not been a Sir Knight created in this asylum but will testify to the deep and lasting impression made upon his mind by the earnest and heartfelt manner in which the sublime principles of this magnani- nous order were presented to him.
 And now, Eminent Sir, on behalf of Phoenix copmandery No. 9, I have the honor to present to you these embIens Nof our order and the rank to which you have attained. Though they rep resent but shadow of the honor and esteem in which you are held by the members of this commandery yet we trust they may, in future years. re- mind you of the days spent in our midst and the conversations held in this asylum and while it fills us wAh sadness to part with you in the midst Of the great work of our order. it gives us pleasure to know and fully reaIizeiI the value of your labors among us, not only in the asylum of our commandery but in social life, in our daily inter