Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-04-28
The virginia Historical, soc,c,x

according TO resolution OF the Society," and which will
be read with lively interest sates the ohiee, of the So
cey, and displays its utility very proper and graceful
terms. The Secretary (Mr. MAXWELL then reported tina,
all the officers who had been elected by the Society at its
late annual meeting had readily accepted their appoint
mcns with due Acknowledgements and that the President
particularly (the Hon. VIM. c. Rves) had written an an.
swer TO the letter that had been addressed him Informing
him OF his election which must be gratifying the Soce-
~; and which he read He further stated that the Exc
cunve Committee had organized itself BY appointing Con-
way Robinson, Esq its Chairman aud tina, the gentlemen
composing mad entered upon the discharge OF their
tics with becoming energy and spirit number OF can
ddaes nominated by the committee, afterwards elect
ed members OF the Society making the whole number
present about one hundred and forty We make no dcub,
that the Society thus established will soon attract the no.
iee OF our eiowerzens in all parts our State and we
venture 10 predict that will readily command their very
general aud most cordial APPRECIATION and support
Wr. Hcath,s Address.
GeEtemeR Of he Rhetorical Society In taking the
chair third Vice President which your kindness and in
diligence have assigned you my sincere ac
acknowledgements tor the honor conferred and add the
equally sincere declaration that whilst you could have
made much better selection could have chosen no ON,
more heartily devoted to the good which we are en-
gagged But III taking this seat, be permitted To ex-
press my regret, that should have been first
either by the President the first or second Vice Pre-
deni Most OF US have the pleasure Of knowing these gem
ueulen peTSonaIy-snd all OF us know them public men
10 whom the whole community will accord the united
tics OF distinguished virtue, learning talents and ooquence
~ have the counicnance OF such the enterprise
which is before Itself earnest of succeSs:-and
although deprived OF their attendance on the present
on rejoice 10 know that the period is not far distant
when We shall have the benefit OF their and co-ope
ration.
congratulate you. gentlemen that the Historical socie
OF virginia mas been revived, and that many OF men,
bets have reasembed uuoer the suspicious crcum-
stances congratulate that suspension of s,yc-
raj years, OF its old with new recruits have
resolved 10 restore aud re-consuci the good old assoca.
ton 1881 which, notwithstanding recent eneebled
eonduon- had almost said its entire c1inciion-has an
sen Ike pheniN from It's ashes, lnothcr and the same
The Legislature IN 1884 granted to this Society liberal
charter OF Incorporation; several successive annual
meetings lis members increased number, in anna
rent 4eal-and ITS various acqu tons principally obtained
rom voluntary contribution, were multiplied iusti-
~ the belief that strong interest on the subject had been
awakened m the public mind. The lirest hopes and ex-
pecstons, however, ireQucny doomed disappoint
mCn The energy which marked the early efforts of IN.
Institution gradually Telapsed into indifference and finally
into total inacon. Ii unnecessary enumeTata in de-
tail TO conjecture the which produced tins result,
IL sufficient say that efcclua remedy is hoped
and believed has been applied in the amended Constitution
recently adopted Give TO this instrument fair and foil
experiment and It fail secure to our labors mo-,
only greater pcmanCucy but taE extended
new feature which distinguishes the amended Cons,i,p
ton from the Old one, ought be adyered TO- as 1t p-om
ses no little benefit Whilst the chartered name Of Histo-
Ecal and PhOSo hea! society will the present be ne
eessary retained, Is proposed to couae its operations
more particularly TO historical csearch such kindred
subjects as are intimately connected herewith. The wide
hcit u philosophical enquiry 6s much space In be
pr0hiably occupied and something like concentrated ac-
uon deemed conducive IT essential 10 success The
department OF history alone will furnish ample employ
mCnt tor the vigorous and pescycrinr cxertior Ar
cordng 10 the definition OF distinguished writer II Is
That science which OF IN all his social relations
political, commercial, religious, moral and literary As far
they tho result general influences IN IN a-p,
masses OF men, embracing both the past aud the presents
is OBJECT Is % represent the relations which
aud the influences 10 which he subject with truth and
eearness."
Ii tins definition be correc;,-what variety OF sources
must be eNpored-how many lights and shadows must be
mingled IN contrast, order complete the historic picure
The Inner who undertakes the task borrow from the
treasures OF learning, the deoveues OF science the la
mlar sketches OF biography, and the lighter volumes
winch deineate human manners and customs. II these
which ImpaEt e-like coorng creations of the his
toran, and Distinguish HIM from the cod annais or the
da recorder OF isolated events Nor apprehend
conhnc labors the of ancient mann
scripts, memorials and documents, restrict ourselves to
hose sources OF information only which shed light upon the
past civil and and political history OF the State. II is not
less important gather up and preserve all valuable and
interesting materials struck b. the ever varied progress
Of modern ciyzauon,in order TO transmit faithful ac-
count OF them 10 those who come after We stand
upon misunderstanding the past from the future
and historical association strictly perform its trust
which does not equally regard the deep ald wide current
passing events and their powerful influences upon things
TO come,-as we'll as the Interesting incidents aud crcum-
stances OF a by-gOns age.
In prosecuting the truly useful work gentlemen in which
have engaged should be our earnest and active en-
deavoE merely inspire transient feeling of appoba-
ton OF our general object, but abiding intellectual zeal
impressed with the s9Ad practical advantages result TO
the ate, apart from the use which will encrce her name
IN so honorable an undertaking. Virginia every motive
for active and perseyerng this noble cause she
E the elder born % the confederate sister common
wcahs she has given birth the father OF his Country
and long line OF iusirious patriots and statesmen and
her early annals not only marked by important events
the struggles OF civil and political freedom but are ira
dated by deeds Of herosm and chiyary which throw into
the shade the widest legends o! romance. She her-
self an empire, and promptly accepts the title Mother
States and her physical mental and moral resources are
great had almost said boundess. Il is impossible that
such country feel interest IN her past and present
history her future destiny. Her sons may therefore
De confidently appealed 70, TO ndcae her reputation and
honor.
There are very few States in this Union which have not
made progress in the accumulation Of historical know
ledge and materials. To say nothing Of the old Common
wca.tns OF Massachusetts, Nc~ ok Pennsylvania Rhode
Island aud Connecticut al OF which boast their AGA
denies Of art and science, their philosophical and hso-
neal instiuons-even States which We claim az our off
spring. have advanced far ahead Of the parent stock in these
useful aud honorable pursuits l. ne therefore that
strength and 10 the pride OF her renown and oacs
tlo Stigma which viii otherwise her name Let
not DO said that the present situation the country is una
vorsbIe 10 pursuits which properly belong % Stale OF
national quiet and TepOse IL Is true that grm-yisagod
war; scDwls Southern horizon bat is there NOT
much reason 70 hope and much rejoice IN the hope thai
The cloud will be speedily Iumined by toe rainbow of
peace But even Il this calamity should still endure and
the portals Of the temple OF Janus indefinitely remain open
inc Inducements % cherish and prpung
coy being any wise diminished, they would acquire i'd
dOul strength. The Society would itself furnish an ,sy
lum Of peace ra!yug point Of ntorcoufc-whero OIL Of
every grade and shade OF opinion subjects might
assemble In perfect harmony and undlstufbed endowment
cannot conclude, gentlemen, without gancing NJ one
other subject There doubt that since the frst f3rm,-
ton OF this Society and especially Of late an unusual de-
gree Of interest and curiosity have been excited which did
previously exist few generous and enerprznr spi.
rt5, animated by lautlbc 2ol recently entered Inc
arena and have furnished bright pfesaqes Of cmnence IN
historical literature. Let the public afford due encourage
ment to these honorable and mertorous eIors and we
may safely predict that the genius OF the country will be
reused, and that proud day will long dawn upon our
good old Commonwealth.
had intended 10 dwell somewhat moro Of length up5D
DE gratifying revival aud au.pioDus p,3spoc of so-oty
which repeat ought 10 be exclusively regarded AZ
source oi intellectual culture aud enjoyment but also Oh II
real practical uuiy had intended 10 show that H even our
early history, from the opc of ume the los OF authentic
materials OF Other causes BE- longer asceyube gf much
addition, correction OF improvement si thosc arc inter
mediate periods abouudng in thrilling incident. and illus.
uaung heroic achievements which sr cminrny won
thy Of careful and potsovofng nvcsuRlgon. How many
curious aud interesting facts, for examplc connected viii
#.HfW Hf .fsunHu .fHH#a lie %