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our extreme disgust and horror at the cowardly wretch who has bereft us of President and valiant Sir Knight. To the second, to the weeping family we should offer kindly words of sympathy. We should let them know that while they mourn we mourn with them. And whilst we as Knights Templar show our sorrow, so do we as citizens realize the extent of our loss, and are prepared to assist the powers of the Government with all the influence of our Order. With these thoughts in my mind I suggest that you appoint a committee and take appropriate action.

The Grand Commandery accepted the invitation from Rev. John F. Spalding, Bishop of Colorado, to join in services commemorative of the death of the late President, and was kindly escorted by Colorado Commandery No. 1, who tendered their services for that occasion.

After these services a Special Grand Conclave was opened, and the following preamble and resolution was adopted:

WHEREAS, On the eve of the one hundred and sixth anniversary which brought to life and light our beloved country as a free and independent nation, the civilized portion of the globe was horrified by the startling intelligence that the Chief Magistrate of that nation had been, in cold blood and without excuse, struck down by the murderous hand of a brutal and cowardly assassin, by whose act the entire people have been thrown into most anxious and sorrowful watching, now culminating in the death of our President, causing wide-spread and universal grief, and filling the land with sorrow and mourning:

Therefore, The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Colorado, recognizing in the noble and generous nature of our distinguished Frater, Sir Knight James A. Garfield, the embodiment of those distinguished characteristics of universal benevolence, unsullied honor, unwearied zeal for the good of his fellow-men, steadfast in the true principles of right, at all times a man whose only ambition in the various positions in public life to which he has been called, was of that exalted character which should in the highest degree contribute to the benefit and glory of his people. He was an able and industrious public servant and earnest patriot, showing true love and devotion for his country, whether on the field when armed men were required, or in the halls of legislation where as a wise counsellor he was ever recognized as a leader. He was a kind and generous friend, a gentle and loving husband, a devoted father. The unflinching fortitude with which he bore the eighty days of terrible suffering while his mortal life was so constantly and surely ebbing away, shows us how nobly and fearlessly a true Christian soldier can partake of that "bitter cup of Death," to " render an account to that Supreme Judge of the world, before whom not even the most minute act

of life can be hidden." Let us, as Sir Knights, and as citizens of this great Republic, emulate the virtues of this great man, who has by the purity of his private character, the honesty and integrity manifested in his official stations, enshrined himself in the hearts of every patriot and well wisher of his country.

To the aged mother, whose cup of joy was overflowing- and yet whose fear seemed almost a prophecy- as she stood by the side of her beloved son on the day which made him President of a mighty nation, and in the presence of the assembled thousands, received the filial kiss of him whom the people had delighted to honor; to the brave, heroic and afflicted wife, whose devotion has been so manifest during the dreary days of watching and care, and to the children, now bereft of a kind father's presence, we extend our heartfelt sympathy, assuring them that in their grief and loneliness we mourn with them in their loss of a cherished son, husband and father, for the world has lost one of its brightest jewels - - an honest man.

Sir Knights of Ohio: But a few short months ago, by the suffrages of the representatives of fifty millions of people, James A. Garfield, in all the pride and strength and dignity of powerful manhood, was called with loud acclaim and great rejoicing from your midst, to preside as the ruler of national affairs at the capitol. To-day the nation, with bowed heads and sorrowful hearts, with blanched cheeks and tearful eyes, returns to your jurisdiction all that is mortal of our deceased Sir Knight. The mutilated remains of our loved and martyred President, a bright and valiant member of our Order, a Christian warrior, are laid. in the narrow portals of the tomb. Guard it well, as did the Knights of old his sepulchre for whom our illustrious Order was instituted. The banks of your Erie are now sacred and hallowed as the last resting place of Sir James Abram Garfield.

Resolved, That the banner of our Order be draped for the period of one hundred days, and that a page with suitable tablet be reserved in the Proceedings of our Annual Conclave in memory of the deceased.

W. D. ANTHONY,

M. SPANGLER,
H. M. ORAHOOD,

Committee.

After which the Grand Commandery, together with Colorado Commandery No. 1 as special escort, and a large number of Sir Knights, repaired to St. John's Cathedral where appropriate exercises were held and an able and eloquent address upon the life and death of Sir Knight Garfield, late President of the United States, was delivered by Right Rev. Bishop and Sir Knight John F. Spalding.

Upon returning to the Asylum the Grand Commander returned thanks to the officers and members of Colorado Commandery No. 1, and the Grand Commandery was then adjourned.

Sir Knight H. M. Orahood, for the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, submitted his review of twenty-eight sister Grand Commanderies, Michigan for 1881 being among the number. He says that we did not give Colorado a place in our report. It was not our fault. We called her in good old "court fashion," but she failed to respond.

Under the Committee's review of Minnesota, he says:

We read his report entire, although Colorado does not appear in it. He takes issue with California on the decision that "a Companion whose right hand was so far disabled as to prevent the use of the sword although able to hold it," was not eligible for the Orders of Knighthood. He cites an instance of a Companion who had but one arm, he does not say which, being received.

And then says:

We go farther; in our opinion the day ought to be past when any physical test is required in any Masonic body. Suppose the candidate has but one arm, but as Sir Knight Pierson says: "He has head, brain, intellect, mental qualifications of a high order," these are recommendations in our opinion outweighing any quantity of legs and arms.

Those are our ideas.

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speak it low. There is no such fellow as we are on that subject.

We give the conclusion of the report in full, only saying we are glad that Sir Orahood did not apologize, as no apology seems necessary. We congratulate Sir Parmelee in having magnanimity enough in his heart (ever good and true) to give the Committee some of the glory, and letting them "write their piece":

Probably we should apologize for this report, but we do not like to do so. Our code of statutes adopted at the organization of our Grand Commandery makes this provision regarding the Committee on Correspondence:

"The Grand Commander shall also, prior to the close of the session, appoint a committee of three, of whom the Grand Recorder shall be one, upon Foreign Correspondence which shall act for one year, and report at the next Annual Conclave; also, a committee of three on Templar Jurisprudence."

The intent of those adopting it, among whom was the writer, being in reality to make the Grand Recorder chairman of this Committee.

A short time since our Grand Recorder wrote me saying his duties was such that it was impossible for him to make a report, and saying if I would do so he

would send me the proceedings. They were sent and we have done the best we could under the circumstances.

We have devoted what little time we could get to the work, and after getting started have rather enjoyed it. We have felt it to be an imperative duty to make our report short on account of the expense of printing, and it has given us much more trouble to decide what not report than what to put in.

And now with our best wishes for the prosperity, peace and happiness of, and kindred regards to all true and courteous Sir Knights who may read, or ever see this report, we submit the same.

Sir Michael Spangler of Denver, was elected R. E. Grand Commander.

Sir Ed. C. Parmelee of Georgetown, was re-elected E. Grand Recorder.

CONNECTICUT.

The Fifty-fourth Regular Annual Conclave was held in Meriden, at the Asylum of St. Elmo Commandery No. 9, commencing on Tuesday, March 15, A.D. 1881, A.O. 763.

Sir Chas. W. Skiff, R. E. Grand Commander.
Sir John W. Stedman, E. Grand Recorder.

Ten subordinate Commanderies were represented, and six Past Grand Commanders were present.

Among the distinguished Sir Knights present were R. E. Benjamin Dean, Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of the United States; R. E. John Dean of Worcester, Massachusetts, Past Grand Commander of Massachusetts and Rhode Island; R. E. George W. Walgrove, Grand Commander of New York.

The address is a review of the doings of the Grand Commander during the year.

He feelingly alludes to the death of many distinguished Knights of his own and of sister jurisdictions, and recommends that suitable notice be made thereof.

After giving in full the many visitations made during the year, he says:

This, at the very close of the year, concludes the list of my official visits. I have visited every subordinate Commandery of the jurisdiction in their own Asylums, and have been received in every case with the courteous hospitality and respect due my official station. I have found some things to approve and commend, as well as some corrections to be made. I have not criticised as severly as I ought, and probably would if we had a standard Ritual for Commandery Orders. And right here I beg to say that I believe it is useless for us to wait longer for any Ritual from the Grand Encampment, and I urge upon you the propriety as well as necessity for a Ritual in this State. We have only ten Commanderies, and there ought to be uniformity in Ritual and Ceremonial, which there is not. The Ceremonials are to all intents and purposes the same, but the variety of Ritual is only equaled by the number of Commanderies. At our Annual Conclave in 1878, a very able Committee upon this subject was appointed, who have up to the present time, delayed making a report, thinking that the Grand Encampment would certainly at the last Triennial Conclave, at least make some sort of a commencement in furnishing Rituals.

It seems to me the time has now come for us to take the matter in hand and adopt a Ritual for our own use, until perhaps some time in the "Sweet bye-andbye," the Grand Encampment may possibly find time to promulgate a standard for the whole United States.

That has the right ring in it. Michigan got tired of waiting for that great body, the Grand Encampment (we had almost said useless appendage to Templar Masonry) to move in this subject, and proceeded herself to adopt her own Ritual and Drill, and is well to the front in uniformity of work. The only way to adopt a Ritual is to adopt it.

He concludes his address as follows:

And now, Sir Knights, having, in compliance with our regulations, reported to you my official acts, and called your attention to such matters as I consider worthy of your attention for the interest of the Order, permit me to express my grateful appreciation of the high honor you conferred upon me one year ago by an election to this important office, and to tender to you individually and collectively my sincere acknowledgments for the uniform kindness and courtesy which has characterized all our intercourse, and bespeak the same Knightly consideration for my successor. May all your deliberations be wise and harmonious, and may you speedily and satisfactory transact the business for which you are assembled, and so

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