Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/128

This page has been validated.
116
Southern Historical Society Papers.

ral Government. Slowly and yet surely both history and public sentiment are coming to a right appreciation of the historic contentions of the South, and I confidently look for the time when the North will join us in doing honor, not only to the principles for which our fathers fought, but also to the men, both of high and low rank, who so nobly and bravely battled for these rights. I have the honor to remain with sincere esteem,

Very respectfully,

Thos. M. Owen.

Mrs. W. J. Behan, New Orleans.


Extracts from Letter Received from Major John J. Hood,
of Jackson, Miss.

March 15, 1909.

Mrs. W. J. Behan, New Orleans:

My Esteemed Friend,—I congratulate you most sincerely on the success you had with your laudable and strenuous effort to have the name of our great chieftain restored on the tablet on "Cabin John Bridge." It was doing justice to Mr. Davis as an able and honored servant of the government and was but perpetuating an historical fact—and it carries with it the order to restore a graceful sentiment of reconciliation, that though seemingly of little significance to the powers that be, means a great deal to us.

As the Star, of Meridian, Miss., well says: "It was well done," it was a timely and appropriate thing to do, and will be recognized and appreciated by the people of the South as a silent renunciation (by Roosevelt) of a mistaken view formerly held of the character of one of the greatest Americans who ever lived." * * * The restoration of the name now stands a towering monument to him and to acknowledgment of his greatness; so after all, the government is the honored one, for his name and fame were not born to die!

With thanks for courtesies, with renewed congratulations, and with sentiments of high esteem, I am, madam,

Cordially and sincerely your friend,

Jno. J. Hood.