The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-11
Action Opposed on the Ground that
There Is Distinction Between
Northern and Southern Graves.
OVATION TO GEN. j. B. GORDON
WHO SPOKE PATRIOTICALLY AND
WAS GREETED WITH CHEERS.
Wild Demonstration When He
Rugged Mrs. StonewaIl jackson Be-
fore 1900 PeOpIe-The Parade.

the first official act of the ninth annual re-
union OF the United Confederate Veterans,
which began its sessions to-day, was an at
tempt by Gen. Stephen d. Lee, Of Missis-
sippi, to secure an Endorsement Of President
McKinley's suggestion made in his recent
Atlanta speech that the care of the graves
of Confederate dead should be undertaken
by the federal government. Action on the
resolution was frustrated by a motion to re-
fer it to the committee on resolutions. As
this committee is yet to be appointed it is
not probable that the matter will be taken
up tomorrow and the ultimate fate of the
resolution is problematical. The resolution
follows:
whereas. In Atlanta, Ga, Dec 20. 1893,
the President Of the United States of Amer
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 ex-
ecutive of the Nation demands from US, the
survivors of our dead comrades in arms, a
frank and generous response TO so lofty and
magnanimouS sentiment; therefore, be Ii
Resolved by The United Confederate Vet
Grams, in annual 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 a united people and one
In determination TO exhibit to the world the
SeQller as Well as the Sterner traits Ol
American character. and that we accept the
statement of our chief executive in the
spirit in which 1t was made, believing that
as Nfi he has suggested @ VIC would show clearly the
advance that the American people have
achieved in those higher virtues that adorn
a great nation.
The motion to refer the resolution origi-
mated with DR.. ]. William Jones. of vir-
ginia, and met with some opposition. T. II.
Busbee, of North Carolina, thought the res
olution should be referred 1t would do no
harm to refer and no disrespect was in
tended. Every loyal Confederate appreciated
the courtesy and good intentions of Presi-
dent Mckinley In what he had said at At
lanta. But" Mr.. Busbee said, there
ought to be distinction between the graves
in the North, between graves in Chicago or
Columbia and those on the fields of Vir-
ginia and the South. There is a difference
between the graves and their care. Here
there are those who willingly and cheerfully
take care of the graves of the noble heroes
(pointing in the direction of the boxes filled
with ladies.) In the North and East there
may not be these loving hands and that is
why say there is a distinction" After this
it was decided. without further discussion,
that the resolution be referred to the COM
mittee on resolutions.
OVATION TO GENERAL GORDON.
The reunion was held in the Auditorium.
which seats 800 people, and which was
dedicated last night. The place was filed
and several thousand were turned away.
When John b. Gordon. the commander-in-
chief. appeared upon the stage he received
a tremendous ovation. The old Confederate
chieftain was presented by General Walker
and delivered an eloquent address. When
he closed General Gordon led Mrs. Stonewall
Jackson TO the front of the stage and she
was enthusiastically applauded.
Governor Alerbe wired he could not at
tend the reunion on account OF illness. In
the absence of the Governor the address
OF welcome was delivered on behalf Of the
State by Lieutenant Governor NJ b. Nc
Sweeny. Mayor ]. Adgee Smith delivered
an address of welcome. His reference to
South Carolina and Charleston as the cradle
OF secession brought forth the rebel YELL
The yell was caught up by the crowd on
the outside and passed along for blocks.
At 11:30 General Walker introduced Gen.
John B. Gordon, commander-in-chief of
the United Confederate Veterans. He re-
ceived an enthusiastic demonstration. The
audience rose at the mention OF his name
and for several minutes shouted like
demons. Hats were thrown into the air and
the band played 'Dixey' furiously. Every
sentence of his speech was applauded. Gen
Gordon was in excellent voice and on fire
with enthusiasm and patriotism. He con-
cuded as follows:
Il feel power by your confidence to send
10 every patriot in every section and State
the fraternal greetings of this convention
and or the whole people to pledge in the
name of every Confederate and son and
daughter of Confederates the South's
eternal loyalty TO every cause for the uplift-
ing OF American manhood, the perpetuity
OF American freedom, the unity of the
we may accelerate the onward march of the
Republic in its benign mission 10 human
ity."
1t was several minutes after he had taken
his seat before quiet could be restored.
When order was secured General Gordon
said: II want every comrade 10 stand and
sing Praise God from whom all blessings
flow" Mrs. Stonewail Jackson was intro
duced by General Gordon. AS she stepped
to the platform the veterans went wild with
enthusiasm. Il am going 10 shake her hand,
comrades. cried General Gordon. Il am go-
ing TO hug her." and caught her in his
arms and pressed her 10 his bosom.
There were shouts for Joe Wheeler but
he had not arrived. Mrs. Kirby Smith was
next presented TO the audience. Many dis
tlnguished officers aud privates were next
introduced.
The parade of the veterans occurred this
afternoon and they marched through
dense crowd of cheering people led BY Gems
Gordon and Wade Hampton. long line of
the grizzled old warriors. At intervals
along the line the fiuttering OF a war-worn
and shot-torn flag called forth cheers. while
many heads were barred as the frail en-