The site is not as prominent as either the dome or the Confederate Soldiers' Monument in front of the Capitol where many flag supporters have said it should be.

The Legislature controls the flag's fate, and several staunch flag supporters in the Republican majority of the House oppose the proposal.

"We're acting because we all know the reality of where we are," said Mr. McConnell, whose vote carries enormous weight among the flag supporters.

They will walk during daylight and plan to arrive in Columbia for a rally on Thursday, when flag supporters have also scheduled a rally.

This makes Jimbo, Ned and a number of the other flag supporters uneasy: they do not want to be sided on any issue with the Klan.

He called on flag supporters to stop living in the past and compared the standoff to the senseless clashes that are occurring throughout the world between different ethnic groups.

In fact, the speaker of the Republican-controlled House, David H. Wilkins, an avid flag supporter, said today that the Senate compromise was the only plan he would allow to pass.

But flag supporters oppose the idea, saying the spot is not sufficiently prominent.

One leading flag supporter today accused the state's business leaders, many of whom will be joining Mr. Riley on his march, of selling out the state's traditions because of economic concerns.

He is also a flag supporter who said he had pressed Mr. McCain in the campaign on his true feelings about the Confederate icon.