The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-05-13
Southern Veterans Act on Presidents
Suggestion.
Warm Debate Upon the
Subject.
Protest Against Asking Favors
Of Government.

Charleston, S. G., May l2-With.a
spirited and az times stormy session, the
ninth annual reunion of the United Vete-
rams was today brought to a close Gen.
John B. Gordon, oommander.in-c chief.
and all the old officers were reelected.
Louisville was chosen as the next place of
meeting and the question Of federal care
of Confederate graves was disposed Of by
the adoption of substitute resolution
which declines the Presidents suggestion
except as to those graves located in the
North, and reserving to 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 precipi-
sensational and at times much confusion
and disorder prevailed. The resolution
adopted is in full as follows;
"Your committee to whom was referred
the resolution introduced by Gen. 8. ID.
Lee, beg to report the following substi-
tute with the recommendation that the
same be adopted:
"The United Confederate Veterans, in
thi annual reunion assembled, desire
to placa upon record their sincere appre-
citation of the utterance of the President
of the United States, in Atlanta. Decem-
Der last, concerning the assumption OF
the care of the graves Of our Confederate
dead by the national government
"We appreciate every kindly sentiment
expresse dand we shall welcome any leg
islation which shall result in the care of
the garves of our comrades In the north
ern states by our government.
Sin regard to our dead, whose remains
are resting in the states which were repre-
sented in the Confederaoy and Maryland,
the care of their flnal resting places Is Z,
sacred trust, dear to the bearts ct Souts
ern women, and We believe that We can
safely let 1t there remain"
Several very vigorous speeches were
made in opposition to the whole principle
involved but the fiual vote was practical
ly unanimous and the announcement OF
It's passage was oheered. SAnother incident
was the mention of the Southern lynch
ing question by DR.. Curry, one of the sur
viving members of the Confederate con-
gress, who. while denouncing mob law,
defended the South and declared her peo-
pie should see to 1t that the record Of her
future should be as unstained as that of
her past The all-important report of the
committee on school history was also
presented and adopted unanimously as
meeting ell questions that had led to the
agitation of the subject.
Tonight at the Auditorium a grand
reception to the veterans was held and an
address was delivered by Col. Henry l..
Turner of Chicago. commanding the
First Illinois regiment, who has been the
guest of the city during the reunion.
brilliant ball was given at uhe Isle OF
Palms to the sponsors. maids OF honor
and daughters of the Confederacy.
The veterans and visitors are rapidly
departing and the ninth reunion of the
men who wore the gray is practically at
an end. Tho convention was opened at
10. SO O'Clock with the singing of the
Doxology which was followed by prayer
by the Rev. DIR. S. p. ii. Elowell OF
South Carolina.
General Gordon introduced General NJ.
l., Benham of the South Carolina Sons
of Veterans, who delivered an address.
He was followed by MIR. Kirk, COM
mander of the trans Mississippi depart
ment. His remarks were of the nature OF
an eulogy of the Confederate soldiers.
General Gordon then presented General
Robert K. Lee, Jr., who was cheered to
the echo.
of the committee on history. which was
unanimously adopted.
The report alludes to the war with
Spain as a factor In obliterattng the
shadows Of the war between the states
and refers to the prompt response OF the
southern states to the call for troops as
showing the whole country the depth
and feryor Of southern patriotism.
Continuing the report says: President
Mckinley displayed this spirit of the
American soldier when he chose from bis
former foes the gallant Wheeler, tne
steadfast Fitzhugh Lee, the chivairnus
Butler and many others OF our own brave
oomrados,- to marshal the hosts OF tne
Union. We are glad that General Wheeler
had another opportunity to exhibit she
lighting qualities of the Confsderaee SOL
dier and that Lieutenanta Hobson, Victor
Blue and Worth Bagiey, In the navy,
showed the country or what stuff our
young men are made.
Souuh has been poured out together no
longer beneath oontending standards, in
tbe bitterness of war, between the states
but now beneath one flag. to the glory
of ono country. These dead at least De-
long to us all. The last hateful memory
that could divide our country is buried
with them. About their grave kneels
new nation. loving all he- children every
where the same"
Alluding to the question of Confederate
graves, the report SAYS: "The recent gem
erous words of President Mckinley, COM
me nding the Confederate dead to the ma
tion's care. are the expression OF senti-
Inant growing every whore. that the deeds
| OF the Confederate soldier are the glory
| for the whole country and tina. his men,
ory is worthy TO bs cherished wherever
| self-saori1ce commands sympathy or
brave actions strike q responsive chord
in noble hearts,"
Coming down to the question for
which it was appointed, the committee
says that its duty Is now little more than
to keep watch upon the histories OF the
day and to stimulate historical research