The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-02-27


men has lamented, that with the COM
ing OF this ''utilitarian era" the age OF
chlvalry has gone. In one sense this is
true. The tawny Tiber yet rolls by
Rome as it did when
''Horatius kept the bride
In the brave days of old. ="
But the modern H0ratius is a garlic
eating Italian, who keeps the bridge"
in quite another way, by taking toll of
travellers. The Lance of Richard of
the Lion Heart, has changed into a ward
stick, and Saladin of to-day is whining
varlet who begs for 'backsheesh." The
Maid of Orleans has become a Paris
flower girl who traffics in nosegays
sweeter than her reputation, and the
successor of Black Prince figures in a
divorce court as the correspondent in
shameful suit for damages. The Min
nesinger has turned into a dirty travel
ing tuner Il pianos; the troubadour has
degenerated into dirty, disreptuable,
and altogether unromantic tramp and
his ribbon decked guitar mas given
place to a second hand fiddle, and a
scandulous yellow dog. Don Quixote
and his trusty squire are but Pigments
OF the fancy, and all the Windmills have
gone to Congress.
The days of chivalry" when the
knight Grant went roaming in an
irresponsible and happy-g o-Iucky fashion
about the country, astride of stolen
horse, with an inverted skillet, studded
with ten penny nails on his head, an
exaggerated wash-pan on his left arm,
and subsection of stove pipe on each
leg, singing ditties at unearthlv hours
under the windows Of respectable citi-
Zens. making love TO other men 5 wives.
sticking his sword into folks on the
slightest prOvOcatiOn, making a nuisance
Of himself generally, these days of
chivalry are gone and in their stead has
come the truer and better chivalrv Of
to-day; chlvalrl which is every where
displayed.
Our aim is high and node one. It
Is to elevate ourselves by the practice
Of every virtue; to assist each other by
kind words; genial mpanionship.
brotherly love and kindness; to rescue
the fallen and strengthen the upright,
for IN the wise dispensation of Provi-
dence no man stands alone.
A man may have habits or vices at
variance with the best interests of his
life and those associated with him.
There IS no Winking at these, for every
lodge is not only a sacredly guarded
home but training school, where every
member is taught and trained to be
temperate, true and brave. generous.
high minded and clean hearted
Bad habits are firmly but kindly de
svA r,,rrs~Enrt i
are made to correct them. No vice is
licensed. All wrOngness. either against
self or another is forbidden. The con
duet and character Of a member is
matter Of great interest to every true
and well governed lodge The man
who enters her Castle walls does so
with the avowed purpose to make him
self so far as possible true and good
man. The orders exists only to do good
to men.
To you Fellow Knights, from the first
sentence to the last, have spoken, as
only one could, VINO was in the posses
sion OF your mysteries, calling you to
the defense of first principles.
To the congregation, as wives and
loved ones, | have led you up to the
arena, said peep in, see your loved
ones with spurs on. and scimitar in hand,
as plumed Knight, fighting for all that
is true. noble and good, while carefully
concealing from you the mysteries by
which and thro which he came into this
heritage.
Within our castle halls are taught
The lessons ancient knighthood priced.
Friendship that counted death as nauSht
Or tortureS Tyrant's whims devised
With charity for those who failed
The highest standard to attain;
The giving aim when want asSailed
Or kindly watch by beds Of pain.
skin, to avoid all treacherous snares
BY which the unwary oft are bound;
Courage that deadly danger dares,
And treads as shadows on the ground:
With tender love and watchful care
For faithful wife or children dear,
With patience every i'll to bear
Where craven souls would chill with fear.
Honor, that keep our shields so bright
No slanderous tongue can dim their rays
Faith, that our brothers passed from sight
Still ioin our kneeling song Of praise;
Firm trust that on the shining shore
When earths ordeals all are passed,
Each worthy Knight, his trials DER
Shall ind eternal rest at last.