The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-31
PEROTE GUARDS FLAG
SOME OPPOSITION TO ITS RETURN
 TO ALABAMA.
Wtseensia IeGislatare is Willing, But Matter Must Be Submitted to Dfvision of Grand Army
 of Republic,

Enlightenment on the cause of the failure of the resolution of the Wiscon- sin Legislature to return to Alabama the flag of the Perote Guards was yes terday received by Governor Jelks from R. c. Thwaites, Secretary and Superin- tendent of the Wisconsin Historical So- ciety.
 Incidentally it was stated by Super intendent Thwaites that the opposition to the return of the banner Is small and will be surely overcome when 1t comes to vote on the proposition by the Wisconsin Department of the Grand Army of the Republic at the annual meeting June Ia and IA.
 Early this month at the request of pr. Thomas M. Owen, director of the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Acting Governor Cunningham directed a letter to the superintendent of the Wisconsin Historical Society, re- qucsting that if 1t did not conflict with the feeling of the people of that State return of the flag of the Perote Guards now in the possession of the so- cfety would be appreciated. The His torical Society Is an official depart | ment of Wisconsin and the letter of the Acting Governor was properly sent, suggesting the introduction of d reso- lution in the Legislature.
 Governor Jelks yesterday received the reply of Superintendent Thwaites addressed to the Acting Governor. It explains that the resolution as request ed was prepared and introduced in the Legislature. but on account of some ill., founded opposition from many soldiers Of the 18th Wisconsin regiment 1t was decided to insert a provision in the res oiution thatSto be operative it must be endorsed by the State Department of the Grand Army of the Republic.
 The letter of the society superintend- ent Is as follows:
 Madison, Wis, March 2S. Hon. R. M. Cunningham, Montgomery,
 My Dear Sir--Your recent request for the return to the Department of History and Archives of your State Of the silk banner carried by the Perote Guards, 1st Alabama regiment, c. S. A., and captured from ethem by the 18th Wisconsin infantry at Island No. 10, was duly transmitted by me to both Houses of the Legislature.
 T also drafted a joint resolution au- thorizing the society to make this transfer, which was introduced in the Assembly by the Hon. Pliny Norcross, who Is commander of the Wisconsin department of the Grand Army of the Republic.
 '.The proposition meets with entire approval in the Legislature, but owing to the receipt by MT. Norcross of nu- rnerous letters from old soldiers throughout the State, it has been deemed wise to provide in the joint resolution that the action of the Leg islature shall first be endorsed by said Wisconsin department at its next an- nual meeting to be held in the city of La Crosse June 13 and IA, next.
 MT. .Norcross assures me that the soldiers will gladly endorse the action of the Legislature when the matter is properly explained to them and the action of Congress in the same direc- tion is made known to them. What little opposition there is to the return of the banner comes from a few men who have not thoroughly considered the situation. MT. Norcross assures me that there will be no difficulty what ever in silencing this opposition and that 1t will be better in any event for the State of Alabama to receive the flag with not only the legislative sc- tion, but with that of the old soldiers themselves. He anticipates that d res olu.ion of the most courteous and friendly character will be adopted by the department at its La Crosse meet ing.
 MT. Norcross, as tho official head of tho Grand Army of the Republic. begs me to assure your eXcellency of his most cordial interest in this matter and his desire personally to see the measure is put through. This I think I am Justified in saying. Is the attitude of every member of the Legislature, I am, sir Yours very respectfully.
 R. c. Thwaites,
 Secretary and Superintendent"
 No little correspondence was carried on between Dr. owen and Superintend- Awak I vatK
 turn of the banner previous to the let ter of the Acting Governor. Several flags besides those of the Alabama reg iments returned by the United States War Department a few days ago have been collected by the Alabama Depart ment.