The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-20

The PresaAena's Proposition for Care
Of heir 1sraFcs-How IL ts Received
BIZ Pubic meA In Washingt0n

Washington. December I5.-The sug-
gestien of the president looking to the
care OF the confederate cemeteries by
the federal governmnt aroused no lit
tie interest on the part Of senators and
members of the house and was the sub
jecf of much quiet in the
congressional cloak rooms. There was
OF course a difference of opinion as to
the merits of the suggestion and this
divergence was especially noticeable
among republican senators and mem
bers. There were non who did not at
tribute the sentiment to goodness of
heart OF the part OF the president.
Some Of the republican senator's,
however, expressed doubt Of the wis
dom OF the course, and, while many Of
that there was no harm in carrying
the suggestion into execution. still, they
refrained from any expression of opin-
ion on the ground that such express
sion would be misunderstood by their
ex-soldier constituents.
The democratic senators generally
excused themselves from any express
sion of opinion on the subject.
There were exceptions to the re-
thence Senator Shoup was among the
republican members of the senate mil
itary committee, who spoke out, say
ing that he endorsed all thai the pres
ident had suggested.
Senator Sewell, a member of the mil
itary committee. said: 1.-The suggestion
of the president is a beautiful sentiment
n worthy Of the man, as it is in
keeping with his character. The sug-
gestion is especially appropriate at this
time when good feeling is so strong be-
tween the sections and I am in hearty
accord with it. There is no reason why
we should not care for the cemeteries
Of the southern dead and no act could
go farther toward cementing the union
between the north and the south than
could an act of this kind which must
necessarily appeal to the best senti-
ment of the generous people of the
south. But while I should be entirely
willing to have the country care for the
graves Of the confederate dead, I
should not consent to go any
farther. I should not, for in
stance, agree to the pensioning Of the
confederate ex-soldiers of the civil war.
I would draw a very distinct line be-
tween the two acts and believe the
country as a whole would"
The suggestion was favorably COM
mented on by members of the house
of representatives without respect to
politics or sections.
Captain Hull. chairman of the mill
tary committee. said: ANY step to
obliterate sectiona1ism is. Of course,
desirable, and the president seems to
have suggested a most acceptable
means in that direction and one which
will not do violence to any feeling in
the north. I would not favor the re-
turn of confederate flags as there is
no government to which they could be
returned and they represent a painful
incident of our history. But the con-
federate cemeteries and their dead
rest Upon different consideration. Such
cemeteries, north and south, are hal
lowed ground. I approve the presi-
dents suggestions"
Representative Sayers, g~overnor-elect
of Texas, and a former confederate
soldier, said: IT am greatly pleased
, with the presidents proposition and it
should be carried out by the necessary
legislation. I am just about to lay
aside my work in congress or I might
give the proposition form by incorpo-
rating it in some of the appropriation
bills. This doubtless will be DONE"
Representative Terry. of Arkansas,
another confederate veteran, said the
| feeling among southern members was
general that the presidents suggestion
was a happy step toward wdping out
all remaining sectiOnalism.