Behan had a personal interview with Mr. Meyer, who expressed a hearty sympathy with the movement and readily consented to take charge of the matter in the name of the Confederated Southern Memorial Association. His advice was to be patient, and to act with prudence, that the matter should not be brought before Congress, but that it be left with the President or the Secretary of War. In July, 1907, Mr. Meyer wrote Mrs. Behan as follows : "I feel confident of success, a confidence warranted by several conferences that I have had with Secretary Taft."
In March, 1908, Congressman Meyer died. In April Mrs. Behan wrote United States Senator Murphy J. Foster, requesting him to take up the matter where Mr. Meyer had left off. Mr. Foster accepted the task and took up the matter with Secretary of War William Howard" Taft upon his return from the Philippines. Mrs. Behan wrote Secretary of War Taft, to his successor, General Luke E. Wright, and to President Roosevelt. Prompt and courteous replies were received, which gave her every encouragement. General B. F. Eshleman, who was in Washington on business in December, 1908, called on the Secretary of War, who promised to take up the matter with President Roosevelt. Other negotiations continued until February, 1909, when President Roosevelt issued his order to have the name of Jefferson Davis restored to the commemorative tablet on "Cabin John Bridge." There was great rejoicing in Confederate circles, and Mrs. Behan sent telegrams of thanks to the President, Washington officials, and other interested parties. By this act President Roosevelt won the esteem and admiration of all fair-minded persons North and South. Many congratulatory letters have been received by Mrs. Behan, and she wishes especially to thank General Clement A. Evans, Commander-in-Chief, U. C. V.; Dr. Thos. M. Owen, Historian General, U. S. C. V.; Colonel Lewis Guion, Chairman of History Committee, Louisiana Division, U. C. V.; Hon. C. C. Carlin, member of Congress from Virginia; Major John J. Hood, of Jackson, Miss., and Mr. Walter P. Phillip, of Bridgeport, Conn., who had assisted the committee by writing a personal letter to President Roosevelt.
General Evans wrote: "The replacing of Jefferson Davis' name means more than the building of a monument to him."
