The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-10-15
THE SOUTHERN HISTORICAL SOCIETY.


We have noticed with high gratitiea
ton the foundation ot tnt Southern HlS--
toricai SOCIETY with provisions for afiillat
d sorietles in all the Southern STATES;
and we trust that the entire Organtza-
ton will soon be in working order. IL
is A duty which the South owes to her
self, to the world. aud to pOsterily. TO
plat G h r history on record. We have
hitherto been derelct in this matter.
aud our Inscriptions enemies have, for
more tnan a generation, mad the ear OF
the world aud flied it with malignant
calumnies which told heavily against
rs in our hour of trial. We viii not
leave il to them To write our history
hut there H. another Way in winch
we think, this organization may be-
nale productive ai great good. 1t has
hitherto been reproached 30 the south
thar She had no lit, ratnre. TINS was
not because there We're no scholars.
thinkers. or poets among us, but be-
cause there was no concert among men
of letters. and scarcely any competent
organ for their productions. Our best
writer's frequently gave their thoughts
to the world through the nietiHm of
Northern publications and Northern
| illfINt tIF ittthtN tut Nittli- MY
| not these Historical Societies become.
| each in it, own State, the centres for
Southera literature, and through their
means Southern men OF letters be
! brought into rapport with each other,
| all being mem beers at one great associa-
ton? How ever differing in other re
| spects, all a4ree IA affection To their
| country and in the desire to see her
| literature take Its proper place among
! the litrrtures of The wUrldi and tins is
! ut once strong bond ofuuion between
them.
! Moreover it isa necessity which grow !
ever more stringent. tilaf We slall ex-
Glide a. far a. possible, especially IRON
orr Noath, that large portion oi North
ern literature winch is lfaughl WITH m
Sidlous pusiliun to both mind and heart,
| and this can oulF be effectively done
! by harmonious action among those To
whom the public look lor gudahcs IN
hese matters. At present. M rthern
book may appear aad here aud the e
Isolated critics expose It false 1ds;
its in~intIated caiHn,hies or luhrieiOas
immortality, While scores OF Southern
| papers, incompetent 10 juuge. Of
thodgifieSS OF what the, are dong Will
Without word OF warning, praise IT.
"chea pness," OF "the beauty Of iilustra-
tons and perhaps ..recuminenG 1t IL
very family" With such an organi-
cation as W speak OF, the condeiui,a-
ton OF competent judges would be
heard throughout our whole land.
Again, it is imperatiyely necessary
in order to raise the standard at letter.
among us. and help 20 diiinsc culture
throughout The people, thar men OF let
lers should be helpful TO one another
and accessible to those who ars wing
to improve themselves. BY tins organ
izrtiun. Win Its provision for branch
societies. every solitary thinker. every
small iycelun, library association OF
realling-ciub could reach some link oI
the chain including ali the men OF let
.ers OF the South. and al once ind y M
pathy, encouragement and counsel.
Never was The opportunity more
l,ropitious tor some undertaking OF thls
sort, and never WAS the need 81 urgent
The enemy who has overtilrown oul
government Is now,iirecting his attacks
against our schools and colleges. that
he may establish The SAME domination
over our minds that he already hold
over our fortunes and liberties. Hon
ored institutions Of ieartin. have n
overthrow, and Others are even now
in p iii. while men tina: were I e hon
or OF the South and should have 10 II
her prlde have becndriten from the
landthat can 10 i'll spare tnem.
We drop rhese Suggestion upor a
subject that seems To It's infinitely mo.
mentous, ana OF which We can NOT be-
licve that we eXa gcrate the Importance
as seed sown b, the wayside. WI
such oil our literary conlrereS as VII "
them tayOrabiy, give tht idea public
ity or rather substitute Tor ours such
+ better suggestions "a their riper iuhg.
meut shall dictate !-Neto Eclectic Mtgd-
zine.