Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-05-11
CONFEDERATE VETERANS.

! III NLdIleStou, =. ", yellluS luoiuSoi'co
| hoarse at the mere mention OF Con-
federate name. The annual conven-
| ton of the United Confederate Veter-
ans Association began its session in the
morning. Before the work got well
under way the United States cruiser
Raleigh came steaming up the harbor
and the laundering of cannon caused
a temporary cessation of business. The
Raleigh has been a feature of 1.-THE gath
ering.
In the convention Gen. Stephen d.
Lee, of Mississippi, offered resolutions
| regarding the speech of President Nc
Kinley, delivered in Atlanta some
months ago about the matter of decora'
tons for Confederate graves. These
resolutions were sent to the command
er, hut were not acted on by the con-
vention at the meetiny yesterday The
resolution was read and greeted with
applause. The full text follows:
Whereas in Atlanta, Ca, on Decem
Der 1t, 1898, the President of the United
/ States of America gave utterance to the
| sentiment that "the time has come
when the United States should share
in caring for the graves of the Confed-
crate deBd."
| Whereas this utterance Of the Chief
| Executive OF the nation demands from
Us, the survivors of our dead comrades
in arms, frank and generous response
to so lofty and generous sentiment;
! therefore, be it
Resolved by the United Confederate
| Veterans in convention assembled,
That in this act of President Mckinley,
and in its reception by our brethren OF
the North, we recognize authoritative
| evidence that we are again united
people, and one in determination to ex-
hibit to the world the gentler as well az
the sterner traits Of American charac.
ter, and that we accept the statement
of our chief executive in the spirit In
which it was made, believing such leg
islation as he has suggested by the gen
eral government would show clear
" the advance that the American
people have achieved in those higher
virtues that adorn great nation.
The motion to refer originated with
DIR. William ID. Jones, of Virginia, and
met with some opposition, and it is
believed the matter eventually will
cause some discussion, as there is de-
cided faction in favor of Gen. Lees
sentiments, while the opposition Is also
said to be strong. The reference to
committee probably will result in
| amending the resolution so that, while
thanking the President and accepting
MS action as graceful one, it will de-
| clare that the care of its dead Is duty
| of the South.
J. NJ. Bushee, OF North Carolina, made
J spirited speech, in which he declared
| the line was indelibly drawn between
the graves of the North and the South.
1.-The federal government can decorate
| the graves Of the North but the graves
of the Southern heroes are in the keep
ing of other hands !" be shouted, way
| iug his hands to the boxes, which were
filed with ladies. Chaplain General
| Jones in his prayer made an indirect
| allusion to the resolutions by express
ing the hope that the women Of the
South would keep up the work caring
| for the graves of the Southern dead,
and that no one would take from them
| that sacred privilege.
General Gordon was given grand
ovation when he arose to address the
venterans in convention. He paid q
glowing tribute to General Jackson and
said though be was dead there was one
among them that Jackson loved better
than his life-his wife. Wild cheer
ing. Gen. Gordon raised Mrs. Jackson
to the dsis and the ovation given her
was equal to that given Hampton the
night before.
Gen. Gordon shook her hand for
them all" and then with Characters
tic quickness, he said land Pm going to
do more-Tm going to hug her," and
mug her Gen. Gordon did, amid ire
mendous applause, just as he kissed
the widow OF Jefferson Davis in Rich.
mond two years ago.
In the afternoon the veterans had
their annual parade, headed by Gems.
Gordon and Hampton. The Virginia
division was headed by Gen. Brander.
There were more than 5000 men in
line. At intervals along the line the
huttering OF a War-Worn shot-torn bat
tie flag brought forth cheers, while
heads were barred as the frayed en-
blems of dead cause cleaned over
some organization whose name is a
household word to the South. The
non-appearance Of General Wheeler
was q considerable disappointment. He
reached the city early yesterday but
did not participate in the parade.
When the march was done the graves
OF soldiers at Magnolia cemetery were
decorated and at the Auditorium an
address for memorial day was deliver
ed by General George Morgan, of New
Orleans.
Miss Mamie Randolph Heth, of
Washington, has been chosen sponsor
for the entire South. Strictly speaking
she does not take the place of Winnie
Davis as daughter of the Confederacy,
as it was decided last year not to ap-
point or elect successor to Miss Davis.
Miss Heth has been given grand re-
ception in Charleston. She is the
daughter of Mai. Gen. Henry Heth,
who was, by the personal request Of
General Robert E. Lee, with him from
the battle of Spotsylvania to the sur
render of Appomattox, and who is now
the oldest Confederate general, with the
one exception OF General James Long
street..
The Raleigh was given cordial re-
ception at Charleston. A citizens COM
mjttee with Mayor Smyth. went aboard
and received Capt. Coghan and his