Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/162

150 suffices to say, that the act of erasure was not a wise one, because Jefferson Davis was then the Secretary of War, and the chipping of his name from the arch did not destroy a historical fact, and the erasure only accentuated it. I am glad to say that in the last few years a much more liberal opinion is being expressed by many in the North as to the character and reputation of Jefferson Davis, and they are beginning to understand him, and give him his true place in history.

(One of the recent pleasant incidents, and which has caused a warm glow in the hearts of the Confederate soldiers, is the splendid action of Captain Fremont and Commander McCormick, in the ceremonies connected with the presentation of the silver service from the State of Mississippi to the warship Mississippi, and on which appeared the bust of Jefferson Davis.)

This act of erasure has always been resented by the Southern people, and a number of Confederate women have been particularly active in the good work of having the name of Jefferson Davis restored to the arch, and we now have the pleasure of knowing that this act of justice has been done, and that the work of restoration fell to the lot of a Mississippi workman.

General Orders No. 13, from Headquarters of United Confederate Veterans, properly pays tribute due to the act of restoration and to the part played by Confederate women:

The following are the resolutions alluded to by Colonel Guion, which were offered by Major J. W. Gaines, of Army of Tennessee, Camp No. 2, of New Orleans, and were adopted by the convention:

It is but right and proper that the United Confederate Veterans here assembled in annual convention in the city of Memphis, Tenn., should give expression of their approval of the order recently issued by ex-President Roosevelt, for the restoration of the name of Jefferson Davis on the tablet of "Cabin John Bridge," Washington, D. C.

This act of justice must commend itself to every true American patriot and will place the name of Jefferson Davis where it rightfully belongs as a matter of history; therefore, be it