Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/118

 Letters have been written by members of the committee, and the President to the Hon. Secretary of War, General Luke E. Wright, to His Excellency, President Roosevelt, and to prominent citizens in the North and South. Several newspapers, North and South, have published strong articles in favor of restoring the name and thus obliterating the outrageous blunder of one man (Hon. Caleb B. Smith), who, blinded by passion and prejudice, ordered the name cut off and to-day his unauthorized act stands as a reproach against this great American people.

The Confederated Southern Memorial Association does not wish to stir up strife, nor to take it before Congress; we prefer to have the wrong righted in a quiet, dignified manner, without any "hurrah." Our object is, to preserve to future generations the true and accurate history of the great and wonderful and imposing structure known as the Union Arch, which was constructed while Jefferson Davis was Secretary of War.

January 11, 1909.

I will write to-day a strong letter in the true vein to Secretary Wright on the matter of the restoration of the name of Jefferson Davis, which we so earnestly desire to have done.

I feel sure that all the best men in Washington among the Republicans would be glad if it was quietly restored without any objections being made.

It is the manner of doing it which bothers the Secretary of War. I will try to meet that point in my letter to him.

Thanks to you for asking me to do anything for our cause which is on your heart.

As always, your friend,

UNITED STATES SENATE. January 15, 1909. 1207 Jackson Avenue, New Orleans, La.: Dear Madam,—I am in receipt of your recent favor, enclosing a summary of what has already been done by the Confederated