The San Francisco call., 1899-05-13
WILL CARE FOR
THEIR OWN DEAD
Presidents Suggestion
Declined.
MANILA, Nav II, 1900.

CHARLESTON, S. c., May 12.-With
a spirited and at times stormy session
the ninth annual reunion of the United
Confederate Veterans Association was
to-day brought to a close. General
John B. Gordon, commander-i in chief,
and all the old officers were reelected.
Louisville, KY, was chosen as the next
place of meeting and the question of
Federal care of Confederate graves was
disposed of by the adoption of a sub
stitute resolution which declines the
Presidents suggestion, except as to
those graves located in the North, and
reserving to the women of the South
the duty of caring for those in the Sc
ceding States and Maryland. The
adoption of this resolution and the re-
port that accompanied it precipitated
a debate which verged upon the sensa-
tional, and at times much confusion
and disorder prevailed.
General Stephen D. Lee presented
the report of the committee on history,
which was unanimously adopted. This
was one of the most important matters
before the convention and the reading
of the report was listened to with close
attention. The report alluded to the
war with Spain as a factor in eradicat-
ing the shadows of the war between
the States. II refers to the prompt
response of the Southern States to the
call for troops as showing to the whole
country the depth and fervor of South
ern patriotism. Continuing the report
says:
President Mckinley displayed the spirit
of the American soldier when he chose
from his former foes the gallant Wheeler,
the steadfast FitZhugh Lee. the chivalrous
others
brave comrades, to marshal the hosts of
the Union. We are glad General Wheeler
had another opportunity to exhibit the
fighting qualities of the Confederate sol
dters and that Lieutenant Hobson, Lieu
tenant Blue and Ensign Worth Bagley
In the navy showed the country of what
stuff our young men are made. Once more
the blood of the North and the South has
been poured out together-no longer be-
meath contending standards in the bitter
ness Of war between the States, but now
beneath one flag, to the glory of the
country These dead, at least, belong to
us all. The last hateful memory that
could divide our country is buried with
them. About their graves kneels a new
nation, loving all her children everywhere
the same.
Abiding to the question of Confed-
crate graves the report says:
The recent generous words of President
Mckinley commencing the Confederate
dead to the nations care, are the express
slons of sentiment growing everywhere
that the deeds of the Confederate soldier
are the glory of the whole country, and
that his memory is worthy to be cherished
wherever self-sacrifice commands sym
pathy or brave actions strike a reSpon-
Sive chord in noble hearts.
The committee also alludes to- the
race question and expresses the opinion
that the race problem is not apt in
the future to be so binding to a true
apprehension of Southern history" and
says;
The recent movement to put the
supremacy of the more educated and
capable race upon a constitutional and
legal basis, thus banishing the specter
of misrule from our borders, is steadily
gaining progress" Continuing the re-
port says
The reception given our benevolent in
tentions in the Philippines is certainly of
character likely to inspire a wholesome
respect. We are not likely in the future
to hear so much about the right of men
who have not yet learned to govern them
selves to govern others by their votes.
pendence, that governments derive their
just powers from the consent of the gov
erned had something of shock in the
war between the States, and the island
subjects of the United States will find lit
tie comfort in reading that celebrated in
strument by the light of subsequent his
lem abroad ought to bring charitable
judgment of the same thing here al home,
and we may reasonably expect our North
ern brethren to meet US hereafter rather
in a spirit of inquiry than of rebuke.
The convention adjourned sine die at
2:15 p. m.
Tonight at the Auditorium a grand
reception to the veterans was held and
an address was delivered by Colonel
Henry L. Turner of Chicago, command
ing the First Illinois Regiment. Colonel
Turner has been the guest of the city
during the reunion. A brilliant ball
was given to the sponsors. maids of
honor and daughters of the Confed-
eracy. The veterans and visitors are
rapidly departing.