New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-11-21
NETWORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Borty-sixth Anniversary of the New"York
Rhetorical SOcicty-Speeches, Gcs
fRenorted for The Tribune.

d
celebrate the Forth Sixth Anniversary ofthe New
York Historical Society, at the Chapel OF the nj
veysitv. Hon. LUTHER BRADIsH, President, call
ed the meeting to order at O'Clock, and prayer
was pronounced by Rev DR.. ADAMS, of the
Broome st. Presbyterian Church
Judge CAMpBlLL Of the Supreme Court was
then introduced by the President, to deliver an
address on "The progress OF Historical research
M the United States during the last twenty-five
wears" The following is 4 synopsis OF the able
and elaborate document prepared for the occasion.
The Speaker commenced by abiding to the pres
emf prosperous condition and character of the So.
cety as evinced in the large attendance present
on it's anniversary. These cheerful gatherings
he said gave proof of the increase OF historical
learning in the community. We come together
be continued. to examine the landmarks which
orecedne generations have raised for our direc-
zion. To connect the present with the past and the
future is one of our chief objects it is the ann OF
all history, and it is our province to hold up her
lamp that it may throw its rays OF light on all
around. and illuminate that which otherwise
would be q dark dreary waste. Though we
cannot with mathematical precision determine
from the experience of those who have preceded
ma the exact character of the past, yet we
nav form calculations which rise nearly to
the certainty of demonstration. History IS
the great instructor of the human race. 1t con
tains the records of not only the great nations
that have arisen and passed away centuries since,
leaving traces of their existence III the mighty
ruins that still stand as monuments Tor the specu-
lstion of future generations, but 1t gives blo9ro
phies of men, their trials, struggles, and death 1t
acts as q guide for through the perious Jour
ney of HE. 4 modern German writer has sad
that the study OF history is ut present the order OF
the day; and who can doubt this, when he sees
the endeayors and praiseworthy eXertlons that
have been made and are making TO preserve the
records OF past times? Were it not for this
praisoworthy zeal, would gradually return to
that ignorance, which history has the power OF
diGpellng.
Other lands, said the speaker beside Germany,
feel the influence OF history. 1t exercises pow
er and influence over a large part of the habitabe
earth Regions which were the theaters OF IN
terestipg events in ages gone by are brought to
our view in vivid coOrs. 1t is but a few years
since the Egyptian hieroglyphlcs were a sealed
book to the world What has been concealed for
centuries through the darkness OF o mystic Ian
guage written IN uninteligible characters, has
NOW been made known through the indeiatigable
researches and indomitable perseverance, OF the
learned of all nations. The very inscriptions on
the walls of ancient Ninevah have been transla-
ted. The deeds of the sons OF Nimrod have been
committed TO Tue pages OF HISTORY among tueotnei
events OF the ancient world.
Nor is this care in the preservation of historical
events observable in the nations OF antiquity, con
hned to them alone; the early colonlsts OF this
country neglected no opportunity OF collecting re-
cords for the future historians OF the United States
Many generations passed away, however, before
the American Colonies could torn Federal
Union aud take their place among the nations of
the earth. Various causes retarded their progress
toward nationality. But few years elapsed at
ser the peace of AK la Chapee, before war broke
out between England and France. This was fol-
lowed by that great epoch in the world history
the American Revelation, when the stars and
stripes foated successfully upon land and sea-
Then other wars followed, and we were com
PEELED to fight again for the preservation OF our
rights, 1t was not till toward the close OF the
brst quarter OF the present century that the world
was at peace, and that we were enabled to make
survey of our position among the nations OF the
earth
On the 4th day of July 1896, Thomas Jefferson
and John Adams died. The two leading represen-
tatives OF the great political parties of the Union
passed away together-the two great men of the
Revolution were gone-the lights of experience
and tradition had gone out, and one by one the
stars that lighted our country to freedom set be.
low she horizon time had arrived for the sun
of History to gather into one great focus the light
OF all these stars. Wealth and population had
gradually increased, elevating this country to
acribed what the tongue was silent to utter, The
records of our country were carried during the
turmoils of war To the mother country and there
locked up until many years had passed away,
when access was at last obtained TO them, aud
we became possessed OF their contents
In France, too, a more liberal spirit exists, and
an honored member Of this Society was permitted
TO inspect all the papers connected with her his
tory and alliance with this country, Extensive
and valuable materials nave been furnished MN
explaining the part which that country took in
the struggle tor Independence.
To return, however, said the speaker, TO my
subject Ii was fit that the real connection Of
this Continent with Spain should be first consid-
cred The new age in history opened IN 1897,
with Irving's life of Columbus and it is worthy
of notice that after the lapse OF about three cen
turies the great navigator should find his biosra-
pber in one of the most eminent writers OF the
New World Now the labors of Columbus, his
trials and successes, are recorded IN glowing Ian
guage to be read by millions in the land he dis
covered. In 1895 the remains OF Columbus were
removed from st. Domingo and deposited IN Ha-
Vana.
la 1887 appeared the first of Mr.. Prescott's
great work. 1.-THE History of Ferdinand and lsa
bella, the patrons OF Columbus. In 1881, 81 and
40 appeared the successive volumes OF Mr.. an
erofts History of the United States. In this aee
work Of that accomplished writer the scattered
records Of the North American Colonies have
been gathered together and the events which they
narreie described in thoughts that breathe and
words that burn"
Judge C. then proceeded to speak of the tacili-
ties and opportunities at present offered to those
who might desire to write history of this State
or of the United States, from its settlement: to the
present time With the books in our hands we
are enabled, said he, to follow the wanderings of
Columbus IRON Court TO Court, and witness his
perseverance: may embark with HIM in his
f1ai vessel catch with him the light that broke