The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-13
POLITELY DECLINED.
President McKinley's Suggestion Fin
ally Rejected by Confederate
Veterans

Charleston, S. c., May 13.-With a
| spirited and at times stormy session the
ninth annual reunion of the United
Confederate veterans was brought to a
close.
General John r. Gordon, commanded
in-chief. and all the old officers were
reelected, Louisville, Ky, being cho-
sen as the next place of meeting, and
the question of federal care of confed-
crate graves was disposed of by the
adoption of a substitute resolution
which declines the presidents sugges-
ton except as to those graves located
in the north and reserving to the wOm-
en- of the south the duty of caring for
those in the seeding states and Mary
land. The adoption of this resolution
and the report that accompanied it,
precipitated debate which verged up
on the sensational and at times much
confusion and disorder prevailed.
General Stephen Dice, 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 factor in obliterating
the shadows of the war between the
states and refers to the prompt re-
Spouse 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 Butler and many others
of our own brave comrades, to marshal
the hosts of the Union. We are glad
that Gen. Wheeler had another oppOr-
tunity to exhibit the fighting qualities
of the confederate soldier and that
Lieut. Hobson, Lieut.. Victor Blue and
Lieut.. Worth Bagley in the navy show
ed the country of what stuff our young
OnPR blood
the north and south has been poured
out together-nO longer beneath con-
tending standards in the bitterness of
war between the states, but now be-
meath one flag to the glory of one coun-
try. 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 ma
ton, loving all her children everywhere
the same
Abiding to the question of confeder-
ate graves the report says:
1.-The recent generous words of PreSt-
dent Mckinley. commencing the con-
federate dead to the nations care are
the expressions of a sentiment growing
everywhere that the deeds of the con-
federate soldier are the glory of the
whole country and that his memory is
worthy to be cherished where ever self
sacrifice commands sympathy or brave
actions, strike a responsive chord in
noble hearts,
The committee also a1ludes 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 SUI
premacy of the more educated and cap
a BILE race upon a constitutional and le-
gal basis, thus banishing the spectre
of misrule from our borders, is steadily
gaining progress.
Continuing, the report says:
1.-The reception given our benevolent
intentions in the Philippines is certain
ly of a character likely to inspire q
wholesome respect.
I'VE are not likely in the future to
hear so much about the right of men
who have not yet learned to govern
themselves. to govern others by their
votes. The doctrine of the declaration
of independence that governments de-
rive their just powers from the consent
of the governed had something of a
shock in the war between the states
and the island subjects of the United
States will find little comfort reading
that celebrated instrument by the light
of subsequent history. The difficulties
of the race problem abroad ought to
bring a charitable judgment of the
same thing here at home and we may
reasonably expect our northern breth-
rem to meet us hereafter rather in a
spirit of inquiry than of rebuke.''
Last night at the Auditorium a grand
reception to the veterans was held and
an address delivered by Col. Henry L.
Turner of Chicago, commanding the
First Illinois regiment, who has been
the guest of the City during the re-
union. A brilliant ball was given at the
Lee of Palms to the sponsors, maids
of honor and daughters of the confed-
eracy.