Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/143

Rh letter from Mrs. Addison Hayes, the only surviving child of President Davis.

The history of how the restoration of Davis' name was accomplished through the energies of the Confederated Southern Memorial Association, Mrs. W. J. Behan, President, will form an interesting bit of Confederate history in years to come. It was at the Richmond Convention of the Association, in 1907, that the first steps were taken. Mr. J. Addison Hayes, of Colorado Springs, being present, spoke in favor of the movement. Mrs. J. Enders Robinson, a delegate from the Confederate Memorial Literary Society, of Richmond, Va., offered the following resolution :

"Be it Resolved, That we, the 'Confederated Southern Memorial Association,' in convention assembled, in the city of Richmond, Va., on this, the 1st day of June, 1907, do request the United States Government to have the name of Jefferson Davis restored to the tablet on 'Cabin John Bridge,' from which it was removed during the war."

This resolution was amended by adding, "and that we invite the United Confederate Veterans and all other Confederate organizations to unite with the Confederated Southern Memorial Association in its effort to have the patriotic and historical purpose accomplished on or before June 3, 1908.

The resolution, as amended, was unanimously adopted. The President of the Confederated Southern Memorial Association was authorized to appoint a committee to work in this connection, consisting of the heads of Confederate organizations and delegates to this convention. The committee consisted of Hon. Adolph Meyer, member of Congress from Louisiana; General Stephen D. Lee, Commander-in-Chief, U. C. V.; Mrs. Lizzie George Henderson, President-General, U. D. C.; Mr. John W. Apperson, Commander-in-Chief, U. S. C. V.; Mrs. George S. Holmes, President Jefferson Davis Monument Association; Mrs. J. Enders Robinson and Mrs. Alfred Gray, delegates from the Confederate Memorial Literary Society, Richmond, Va.; Miss M. B. Poppenheim, delegate from the Ladies' Confederate Memorial Association, Charleston, S. C.; Mrs. W. J. Behan, New Orleans, Chairman. Upon her return to New Orleans, Mrs.