Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-22
Virginia Historical society-Speech Of Hon
VIM. C. RiVes.


VIM. C. Rives.
! The annual meeting of the Virginia His
torical Society was held in Richmond on last
Friday night, at half past o'clock.
The President, Hon. VIM. c. Rlves, after
calling the Society 10 order, made the follow
! Ing remarks, which were listened to with
unusual attention:
Before proceeding to the business of the
evening. allow me to congratulate YOU. gen.
tlemen. that after the prctermissiun of our
last annual meeting, we are now assembled
under circumstances So propitious TO the tu-
ture prospects of the society. We are now
met under the same root, and in close and
intimate association with the industrial,
commercial, and municipal interests of the
capital of our State. In a government like
ours, no enterprise however meritOrious or
praiseworthy IN itself, can hope for perna-
| nent success unless il IL sustained by the
public sympathy and encouragement. Hlth-
ertO the operations of our Society have been
conducted, "a it were, in a corner, remote
from general observation. and attracting but
little Of the public attention. Now that we
are brought into Immediate contact with the
everyday pursuits and practical interests Of
our fellow citizens, may we not hope to be
cheered and warmed by their countenance
and appreciation:
] may be pardoned for saying to those who
honor us with their presence on this occasion,
that there can be no greater mistake than to
suppose that the lessons of history are for
the scholar or literary man alone. On the
contrary, there is no portion OF human
knowledge which comes more directly or
universally to the business and bosoms OF
men,, than history. 81 much is this the
case that one of the wisest men OF antiquity
! the great statesman-urator OF Rome--calied
it the MISTRESS or LIFE. Ii this be true with
respect 10 history in general, II Is for each
State and country. emPhaticaliy true. IN re-
gard to its own history.
We may say, think, without presump-
ton, that there are few histories more richly
fraught with civic and political. a well Us
/ moral Instruction, than that ol our own
/ State Where shall we find more numerous
or more impressive examples Of patriotism
and virtue of the love of liberty and order,
Of tortitude and frmness i'll adversely, OF
| wisdom and foresight in council, OF galiantry
and conduct in the field, OF selt-possession
and elevation ofspirit in every emergency,
than among our noble ancestors!
Who contributed more, or indeed so much
as they did. Ia the formation and establish
ment of that glorious Constitution which
called into life and activity the prolific. yet
4 dormant energies of this mighty continent
! Constitution which, unless marrei by the
passions and folly OF men, must stand forth
| in the eyes Of the world the proudest fabric
OF evil and political liberty, the most mas
| terly and profound I'D ustment OF the checks
and balances OF free government. that The
wit OF man ever cJntrlved? Who have
shown more loyalty and devotion 10 the union
of these States: who have rallied with more
promptitude and zeal To avenge the violated
rights of their fellow -cIIizens OF every sec
! ton; who have made larger or more gener-
Gus sacrifices for the harmony and collective
| good of the Conicderacy; or who when occa-
| sion has required, have brought more yigl-
| lance, steadlness and tirmness to the defence
of the reserved rights of its members, and to
the protection of the common liberty against
the encroachmcnts of power, than those ven
! Grated ancestors Of ours.
! In the yiclssitudes and trials through
which their grand career conducted them,
they have left US examples applicable to eve
ry variety of circumstances i'll which we may
! De pldctu. III tiic uhHappS 'iihcS WI "h'eh
We IRE now fallen, no one can foresee IN which
Of these examples we are u find our rule OF
conduct for contingencies yet vaguely how
! ering over the future. Let us study and
ponder them ull, and as far as circumstances
will permit. let us in action unite aid com
| bine them ALL Of one thing we may Ee as
sured--that the more we look back into our
past history, the more we penetrate ourselve
with the spirit and example of our exalted
progentors, the better We shall be prepared
to play, with blended tirmness aud wisdom,
the eventful part TINT Providence may cast
upon US, amid the agitations and covulsions
with which the wild passions of men or par
ties may visit distracted country.
But must not detain you longer from the
rich feast Of eloquence and learning which
awaits you in the annual address 10 be do
livered BY an able and distinguished gentle
/ man, whom shall have the honor toprcsent
To- you, as snon rs the report of the E2ecu-
! tive Committee has been read"
As soon rs MIR. Riyes concluded, Conway
Robinson, esq, on behalf of the Executive
Committee, presented the annual report,
which was read and approved
Prof Holmes was then introduced, and
delivered the annual address; after which the
officers were elected, and the Society ADJOURN