Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-09
RALLYING AROUND THE FLAG.
READY TO FURNISH DOUBLE THEIR
QUOTA OF VOLUNTEERS.
Ninety Per Cent of Southern Tol1n-
teers Are ex-ConfedeFafes OF
Their S0n.-Mckinley's Rec
ognitiOn of SOutherners
Deeply Appreciated.

the appointment of ex-Confederate Cen
erals Lee and Wheeler to be major gener-
ais in the volunteer army is resulting In
cordial commentator of President Mckin-
ey's course in this high recognition OF
men Of that great South
a-n army which fought against him and
th., Union which he now represents.
The cordiality with which the hands OF
the president and his associates are being
upheld by the South In this crisis shows
better than ever before how completely
sectional lines and the spirit of the con-
test of 1876 have been merged into the
common cause of loyalty to the nation.
From every part of the South Secretary
Gage is receiving assurances that the peo-
pie and the financial institutions will come
and earnestly to the support
of the administration in the raising or
funds to carry on the war. From every
state of the South came prompt responses
to the call for troops and that call was
preceded by frequent and earnest appeals
by men who had served in the Con-
federate army to be permitted 10
raise companies and battalions and regi-
ments of men who wore the gray. to join
in the common defense Of the nation.
Every Southern state filled promptly its
quota within few hours Of the announce
ment as to the number required and In
many cases double the number called for
were eagerly waiting acceptance and Wy
ing with each other for the honor and
privilege of defending the flag which they
fought against thirty-fve years ago. Of
the 1900 men who have entered the vol
unteer service form the Southern states
it is estimated that 30 per cent are ex-
Confederates or the sons Of ex-Confeder-
ates, while 1t Is known that hundreds OF
officers who will command companies, bat
talicns and regiments are men who wore
the. gray and took part in many well
fought battles directed during the war
against the nag to whose support they
now rally with all the enthusiasm with
which they fought against 1t at that time
The earnest support which the South
has given to President Mckinley. Re-
publican Of Republicans. Union soldier,
leader In the protection theory Of the
party. has been and is phenomenal. No
Republican candidate for the presidency
ever received such recognition, such hearty
support, such warm personal sympathy
from the men who wore the gray a. did
William Mckinley in the campaign OF
1896. During those eventful days IN which
delegations, marching companies, cam
peign clubs and other political organiza-
tions visited Mr.. Mckinley at his home
In Canton in such large numbers. many
of these came from the South. many OF
them contained men who served the Con-
federate cause and thousands among them
had never before cast a vote for q Re
publican candidate f6f the presidency. In
some instances entire companies and or
ganizations visiting the Republican candi-
date for the presidency were made up OF
men who served In the Confederate army
and others formed exclusively Of men Tho
had never before voted a Republican ck-
et No Republican candidate for the pres
idency ever received such vote among
the ex.Confederates as did William Nc
Kirley in 1896 and never before was the
cause of protection. Of which he Il the
special champion. SO strong In the South
as 1t is to-day.
It Is not surprising. therefore, in view
of the cordiality with which President Nc
Kinley has been received as q candidate
and as president by the South that his re-
sponse in the recognition of Southern men
for important duties should be hailed as 1t
is with delight In that section Of the re-.
united country. Reports from all Sorthe>
states show great satisfaction with the a.
pointments of Generals Lee and Wheeles
and expressions Of hope that other ex-Cons
federates will be recognized among the ap3
potntments to be brigadier generals shoulI
the president conclude to select men from.
civil life for that service. The fact that
one-half Of the men selected from civil life
for the important positions thus Tar hIed
in this line were ex-Confederate officers OF
distinction shows how thoroughly old lines
are wiped out and how complete the restor.
alton Of the Union in the fullest sense OF
the term. Among the ex-Confederates who
have been honored by appointment to or
retention in the public service by President
Mckinley are General Longstreet, Commits
sioner Of Railroads Colonel ]. v. Wright.
of the general land ofice, who commanded
a Confederate regiment during part OF
the war and served In the Confederate con-
gress during a portion Of the war period:
Captain H. B. Littlepage, Of the Confeder-
ate navy, who was an oficer on the Merrf-
mac in the fight with the Monitor and Is
now employed in the naval war records;
General Marcus ]. Wright, . distinguished
Confederate officer. now third auditor OF
the treasury; General L. l.. Lomax,
major general in the Confederate army
employed in the war record division OF the
war department, while largo NUMBERS nave
also been appointed to minor POSITIONS In
the customs and internal revenue servicNt
especially in the South
probably 5000 men in the South. most OF
them ex-Confederates or sons OF ex-Con-
federates. have already Indicated desire
to rally to the support Of the reunited ma
tfon under the lead Of Republican presi-
d.nt 1xho served as q Union soldier. His
tory does not afford q parallel case In
which the people of a section fighting to de-
.trov a common country came again with
such united earnest. loyal enthusiasm ana
unanimity to its support. clamoring for the
coveted opportunity to rally around fts
common flag, and marching beside those
against whom they were formerly arrayed
in arms, Join In shedding their blood In
defense Of the reunited country. In every
Southern state the number Of men asking
tn be permitted to become q part Of the
military organizations allotted to that state
ha. been far in excess Of the number who
could be received and no part of the coun-
try filed its quota more quickly or with
mora trained and enthusiastic men than
did the South. The following shows the
number OF regiments and organizations
furnished by each Of the Southern states
under the call for troops issued by the
president:
Alabama-Two regiments infantry ana
one battalion.
Arkansas-Two regiments infantry.
Florida-One regiment infantry.
GeorRia-Two regiments infantry and two
light batteries.
Kentucky-Three regiments infantry and
two troops cavalry.
Louisiana-Two regiments infantry.
Maryland-One regiment infantry and one
Mississppi-Two regiments infantry.
Missouri-Five regiments infantry and ono
light battery.
North CarolIna-Two regiments infantry
and one battalion.
South CarolinacOne regiment infantry,
one battalion and one heavy battery.
Tenne8see-Threo regiments infantry.