The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-05-13
THE CARE OF REBEL GRAVES
Il SENSATIONAL DEBATE OYER
M'KINLEY,S SUGG ESTION.

lanta Utterance for Political Reasons
Would be WeIcome--Those In South a
Sacred Trust.
Charleston, S. c., May 12.--With a
spirited and at times stormy session the
ninth annual reunion of the United
Confederate Veterans was to-day
brought to a close. General John b.
Gordon, commander-in-chief and all the
old officers were reelected Louisville
was chosen as the next place Of meet
ing and the question of Federal care Of
Confederate graves was disposed of by
the adoption of a substitute resolution
which declines the presidents sugges-
tion except as to those graves located
in the North, and reserving to the wo-
/ men of the South the duty of caring
! for those in the seeding states and
| Maryland. The adoption of this reso-
| luton ard the report that accompanied
| it precipitated debate which verged
upon the sensational and at times
much confusion and disorder prevailed.
The resolution adopted is in full as
follows Your committe to whom
was referred the resolution introduced
by General S. d. Lee, beg to report the
following substitute with the recon-
mendation of the committee that the
same be adopted: The United Confeder-
ate Veterans, in this annual reunion
assembled, desire to place upon record
their sincere appreciation of the ut
terance of the president of the United
States, in Atlanta in December last,
concerning the assumption of the care
of the graves of our Confederate dead
by the national government. We ap-
preciate every kindly sentiment ex-
pressed, and we sha welcome any
legislation which shall result in the
care Of the graves of our comrades in
the northern states by our government.
In regard to our dead whose remains
are resting in the states which We're
represented in the confederacy and
Maryland, the care of their final resting
places is a sacred trust, dear to the
hearts Of southern women, and we be-
lieve that we can safely let 1t there re-
main"
Several very vigorous speeches were
made in opposition to the whole prlnci
pie involved, but the final vote was
practically unanimous, and the an
nouncement OF its passage was cheered
Mr.. Martin said he regretted he could
not vote for the resolution. His first
objection was that /. had no businevs
before the convention. 1--WE have" he
n gta1Y h1lI x,f ;,,pt t11
mark of Mr.. McKinleys looking to his
coming election (Applause). There is
no proposition from the president of
the United States or from the congress
of the United States that they are go
ing to do anything for our onferedata
states and recognize the principles for
which we fought. There has been
nothing said by the United States gov
ernment that looks to the care Of the
graves of our soldiers in the northern
states. It puts us in the light of going
before that government and asking for
something from those who slew our
men" Here the speaker was interrupt
ed by cheers and the applause from
some of the members and cries of
amen" Continuing, DR.. Martin said
that the South had no desire to com
NIT the care of its graves to strangers
Could the voices of the dead be heard,
they would prefer to lie in an unmark-
grave rather than the most costly mau-
soleum if we had to ask for it. He be-
gan a discussion of the right of self
and started to quote
President Mckinley when he was call
ed to order with cries Of "No politics.
The confusion was terrific and his re-
marks could not be heard
F. II. Busbee of North Carolina de-
Tended the committees report saying
that the United States was now our
government. The Confederate veterans
unappreciative. He mentioned the
graves of the Confederates at EImira,
n. Y, and other points in the North.
he asked were the southern wo-
men to take care of the graves there?
What had his comrade who proceeded
him done to care for those graves? The
United States care of these was some
hing that as people of a common coun-
.ry were entitled to. Though he was
IN ex-Confederate, he was a citizen Of
he United States and he was loyal Ia
Ter flag.
General S. d Lee spoke vigorously
md plainly. He thought the resolution
lad been misunderstood, and said: 1T
simply commended the sentiment ex-
PRESSED by the president and did not go
me inch further. When the president
ome forward and says what he does, |
the sentiment" He wanted d
he resolution recommitted. There was
lothng in the matter that required
ubstitute Several other speeches We're L
made amid a general tumult, and calls
or a vote, which was finally had.
here was storm of ayes and but few
ays and the resolution was declared {
doptcd