Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-05-13
CONFEDERATE VETERANS.


brought to close at Charleston, S. c.,
yesterday. General John B. Gordon,
commander-in-ch and all the old
officers were e.ele, t I'd. Louisville, Ky ,
was chosen as the next place for meet
ing, and the question OF federal care OF
| Confederate graves was dispo ed of by
! the adoption of sub-resolution which
declines the Presidents suggestion ex-
cept as to those graves located in the
| North, and reservlng 10 the women OF
the South the duty OF caring for those
in the seeding States and Maryland.
The adoption of this resolution, and
the report that accompanied it, precipl-
tated debate which yerged upon the
sensational, and at times much confus-
ion and disorder prevailed.
The resolution, in place of the one
i offered by Gen. Stephen D. Lee, is in
| full as follows;
"Your committee, TO whom was re-
terred the resolution introduced by
Gen. S. D. Lee, beg to report the fol-
lowing substitute, with the recommen'
| dations OF the committee that the same
be adopted:
THE lUnited Confederate Veterans,
| in this annual reunion assembled, de-
sire to place upon record their sincere
appreciation of the utterances OF the
President of the United States, in At
| lanta in December last, concerning the
assumption of the care of the graves OF
our Confederate dead by the national
government.
"We appreciate every kindly senti.
ment expressed, and we shall welcome
any legislation which shall result in the
care of the graves of our comrades in
! the northern States by our govern
ment
"In regard to our dead whose re-
mains are resting in the States which
were represented in the Contederacy
and Maryland, the care of their final
resting places is sacred trust, dear to
the hearts of southern women, and We
| believe that we can safely let 1t there
remain"
Several very vigorous speeches were
made in opposition to the whole prlnci-
pie involved in the matter, but the
final vote upon the resolution was prac-
tically unanimous, and the announce
ment of its passage was cheered.
Another incident was the mention OF
the southern lynching question by DR..
!. L. NJ. Curry, one OF the surviving
members of the Confederate Congress,
who, while denouncing mob law, de-
feuded the South, and declared her
people should see 10 it that the record
of her future should be as sustained as
J that OF her past.
, The all.important report of the COM
mittee on a school history was also pre-
scented, and adopted unanimously, as
meeting all questions that bad led to
the agitation OF the SUBJECT.
Gen. 5. d, Lee presented the report.
1t alluded to the war with Spain as a
factor in oblteratng the shadows OF
the war between the States, and refer
red TO the prompt response of the
southern States to the call for troops
as showing the whole country the
depth and iervor OF southern patriot
ism. Continuing the report says:
"Presid3nt Mckinley displayed the
,pirit OF the American soldier when he
cnose from his former foes the gallant
Wheeler, the steadiast Fitznugh Lee,
the chivalrous Butler, and many others
OF our own brave comrades, to marshal
the hosts of the Union. We are glad
that General Wheeler had another OPP
portunity to exhibit the lighting quail
ties OF the Confederate soldier. Once
more the blood OF North and South has
been poured out together-no longer
beneath conlending standards, in The
bitterness of war between the States,
but now beneath one dag, to the glory
OF one country. These dead, at least,
belong to Us all The last hateful men,
orv 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 Conied-
crate graves, the report says:
"The recent generous words of Presi-
dent Mckinley commencing theConfed-
crate dead to the nations Gaze, are the
expression of 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 wherever self
sacrifice commands sympathy or brave
actions strike responsive chord in no.
BILE hearts"
Coming down to the question for
which it was appointed, the committee
says that its duty is now little more
than to keep watcn on the histories OF
the day, and to stimulate historical re-
search and pu LEGATION; and regards the
prospect for fitness and candor in his
tory as much improved by the Spanish
war. The committee recommends that
an effort be made to Danish from the
schools any books which teach false
lessons. either of fact or sentiment, and
to this end suggests the appointment OF
committee of three members from
each State, whose duty it shall be to ex-
anime school histories now in use.
The committee also alludes to the
race question, and expresses the opinion
that tne "racs problem is not apt in the
future to be SO binding to atrue appre-
hension of southern history"
Continuing the report says.
"The reception given our benevolen:
intentions in the Philippines is certainly
of character likely to inspire whole
some respect for the matter of govern.
ing people of another blood: who have
started late in the race OF civilization.
"We are not likely in the future to
hear 50 much about the right of men
1noppal 70 ca-oro