THE NEWS AND COURIER.
Editorial Rooms,
Mrs. W. J. Behan, New Orleans, La.:
My Dear Madam,—I have received your letter of July 22d. A request from you to the editor of the Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, N. Y., for a copy of that paper containing its article on "Cabin John Bridge" would be responded to with pleasure.
I agree fully with you that the restoration of the name of Jefferson Davis to "Cabin John Bridge" would be an act of justice, but I do not think it would in any way affect the truth of history. The fact that his name has been effaced from the keystone of that structure advertises the meanness of the people who cut it out really more than the restoration of the name would do. This is the point I tried to make in the article reprinted in the Morning Star from the News and Courier.
Very respectfully yours,
Editor the News and Courier.
Mrs. W. J. Behan, President:
My Dear Mrs. Behan,—I have your letter of July 22d, in reference to the restoration of the name of Jefferson Davis on the Washington Aqueduct or "Cabin John Bridge," in Washington. I had heard somewhere that the name had been restored; if not, certainly the action of the Confederated Southern Memorial Association was most appropriate in every way. I think that when your Congressman, Mr. Meyer, with others, brings the matter to the attention of the Secretary of War, the request will at once be granted. I hold myself ready to act with you and others in the matter, if necessary. I think, however, the effort should first be made as you inaugurated—through your Congressman. All the ugly inscriptions at Andersonville have been recently removed through a quiet presentation of facts.
With kind wishes, Sincerely your friend,
