Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 April 1895 — TEMPLARS TALK TEMPERANCE. [ARTICLE]

TEMPLARS TALK TEMPERANCE.

The forty-first annual conclave of th* Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Indiana began at Indianapolis, April 17} Charles W. Slick, of Mishawaka, grand commander, in his annual address refaith on tho doors of saloons at the last triennial conclave. A letter from th* grand recorder of Alabama, complaining of the practice, was made the text ;for what Commander Slick had to say. la discussing tho practice, Commander Slick said: This action on the part of the grand commandery of Alabama to me seem* commendable, but it does not go far enough. The display of the cross upon the outside of saloons may and doe* wound our pride and feelings. It certainly does nut hurt the symbol of our beloved order. Nor would the Bible be injured If laid upon a table in every saloon in tho land; but, Sir Knights’ this should afford us food for serious reflection. Call to mind theencampmenv at Denver, for illustration; the numerous headquarter*, grand and subordinate, the lavish display of the cross and other emblems of ouf order in them; then remember how many dispensed intoxicating liquors over what is worse than a saloon, a free bar. Mt Is a mistaken notion that to convince a man of his welcome you must first gfv* him that which will befuddle his brain and cloud his intellect and reasoning faculties. I congratulate this Grand Commandery that, by the action of the Triennial Committee at Denver, they demonstrated this fact beyond cavil. It was a common remark that at no place was ther* a more cordial welcome and home-lik* atmosphere than at the Indiana headquarters. There is more true brotherly welcome and sociability in a cup of coffe* i>r a glass of lemonade than In any intoxicating beverage.” The report of Joseph W. Smith, Grand Treasurer, shows that the order has a cash balance of $7,864.41. William H. Jlmythe, tho Grand Recorder, in bis annual report, stated that the dues of every Commandery in the State have been paid in full for the year 1894. The order now has 3,568 members in Indiana.