Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-05-13

Charleston $. c.. May 1.-THE follow
Ing resolution. introduced at the first
session of the Confederate Veterans
reunion in this city yesterday by General
stephen ID. Lee of Mississippi. p!ecip-
uat.d IA heated discussions:
Whereas. in Atlanta, Ga, Dec 20.
1898, the President of the United States
II America gave utterance to the senti-
ment: That the time has come when
the United States should share in caring
for the graves OF the Confederate dead:
and whereas, this utterance Of the chief
executive of the nation demands from
us, the survivors of our dead COM
tades- ln-arms. Il frank and generous re
sponse to SO lofty and magnanimous
sentiment.
"Therefore, be it resolved by the Con-
federate Veterans, in annual convention
assembled, that in this act of President
Mckinley, and in its reception by our
brethren of the north, We recognize aG-
tho, itative evidence that We are again Il
united people, AND one in determination
to exhibit to the world the gentler, as
well as the sterner traits of American
character, and that We accept the state
ment of our chief executive In the spirit
in which it was made. believing that
such legislation by the general govern
ment. as he has suggested, would show
clearly the advance that the American
people have achieved in those higher
virtues that adorn Il great nation"
Chaplain Jones said he thought the
resolution should be referred to the COM
m!ttee on resolutions to be regularly ap-
pointed. General Lee said he hoped the
resolution would be adopted without
reference. Dr. Harris of Florida said
that from the very nature of the resolu-
ton he d Il not think they should he re-
# rred. 1t would he as well to take a
direct vote on them right at this time.
Mr.. Rusby of North Carolina said he
thought they should be referred. 1t
would do no harm to refer them no dis
respect was intended. Every loyal Con-
federate appreciated the courtesy and
good intentions of President Mckinley
in what he had said at Atlanta. But,
Mr.. Busby said. there ought to be dis
tiuction between graves in the north be-
tween graves in Chicago or Columbia
and those on the fields of Virginia ard
the south. There was IL difference be-
tween the graves and their care. He re
there were those who willingly and
cheerfuly took care of the graves Of the
noble heroes tpointing in the direction of
the box filled with ladies). and in the
north there might not be these loving
hands.
After this it was decided without fur
ther discussion that the resolutions be
referred to the committee on resolu-
tions.
The business session Of TIE reunion
was called to order by General c. j.
Walker. commanding the South Caro-
lima division in the handsome audi
toriuin erected for the occasion by the
city of Charleston. Its enormous ilOtr
space was crowded and thousands were
unable to gain admittance. When Gen
eral John B. Gordon. the commander-in
chief, appeared upon the stage he was
greeted with thunders of applause The
bands struck up Dixie and the veter-
ans cheered and cheered again. In
calling the assemblage to order. General
Walker spcke of Char!eston's invitation
to the veterans to meet at the birthplace
of secession. and said that the gavel he
was using was that which. in 1860, had
been used to call tn order the secession
convention. The chairs used by the Of
ticers yesterday and the table of the
presiding officer were the same as used
on that memorable occasion.
DR.. j. w. Jones. the chaplain general
then invoked the divine blessing upon
the convention. He asked it of the God
of our common country" and prayed
that all ConfeGerates might be true to
the principles of constitution and free
dom for which our fathers fought, and
that these principles might be handed
down to our children and chi,dren's chill
dren." He invoked the divine blessing
upon the President of the United States
ard all in authority.
Mayor Smyth extended to the visi oIs
a welcome. General Gordon was then
escorted to the front of the stage. ard
his appearance was the signal for