Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/101

Rh that it be conducted as quietly as possible to avoid ugly and partisan criticism.

After my return to New Orleans I met General Adolph Meyer, who was a personal friend and the Congressman of my district. I spoke to him of this movement, and he immediately expressed a willingness to take the matter in hand. He advised taking the matter directly to Secretary Taft, arguing that as the name had been ordered taken off without congressional action it might be restored in the same way by the Secretary of War.

General Meyer had several very satisfactory interviews with the Secretary, and felt confident of success. Unfortunately death called him before the object was accomplished, but I feel that Mr. Taft is favorably disposed, if the matter can be presented to him in the proper light.

On April 12th I wrote to Hon. Murphy J. Foster, giving him all the data that had been returned to me by the widow of General Meyer. If you will permit the suggestion, I would be pleased to have you confer with him, feeling that you and Senator Foster hold the same views on the subject. I believe, however, with General Lee, that it should be done quietly; that we must be patient, and that at the proper time the Secretary of War will order the restoration in his own right of office and without bringing it before Congress. The enclosed data is submitted that you may learn, in case you have not been informed already, that the movement originated with the Confederated Southern Memorial Association, and that a Virginia lady, Mrs. J. Enders Robinson, Secretary of the Confederate Museum, was the mover of the resolution. The newspapers in different parts of the country commented on the movement, and I am happy to report that the Northern press was favorable, the Rochester, N. Y., News, the Indianapolis Journal and a gentleman from Bridgeport, Conn., published very fine articles, and the New Orleans Daily Picayune and the Times-Democrat, as well as the Times-Dispatch, of Richmond, Va., were in hearty sympathy with the movement.

I hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience, and hope that with our united efforts we will accomplish our object. I have had an interview with Hon. R. C. Davey, with whom I am