Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-08

Historical Association. The annual meet
ing Of the American Social Science Associa.
lion takes place at Saratoga. September
sth-12th, and il is proposed that the first
meeting Of the Historical Association take
place on the 9th OF September. a
which time all professors. teachers,
specialists. and others interested IN
the advancement of American history"
ere invited TO be present. The call says:
1.-THE objects Of the proposed association
are the exchange Of ideas and the widen
ing OF acquaintance, the discussion OF mo
tbods and original papers. Such an asso-
citation will certainly prove OF great adj
vantage 10 American teachers and students
who are now more or less isolated in their
fields Of work. Friends Of history can
profit by association with one another. and
also with specialists in the kindred subjects
Of social science, Jurisprudence, and po-
litical economy, which are represented at
this annual meeting In Saratoga. BY con.
ference with co-workers historical students
may widen their horizon Of interest and
cause their individual fields OF labor to be-
come moro fruitful"
The idea IL good one, and for the same
reasons that we recently urged q good
southern representation at the meeting OF
the American Educational Association ut
Madison. Wis, we express the hope that
the South will cooperate in making not
only the proposed Historical Ass ociation
but the Social Science Association sue
cess. She should be heard and felt in both
Of these last-named bodies, and We believe
she would be heard and felt 10 tn advan-
tage OF oil parties. The South Is ini nowise
behind the North in ability to discuss
intelligently any questions that may
arise In connection with either So
cial science or American history, and it
is her duty TO assume some prominence In
these fields. It's in large measure true
that the North makes our history and that
northern ideas on social science are re-
ceiyed by tho world As interpreting the So
cial-science theories Of the country. 1t il
In largo measure true that southern his
tory IL thus perverted and that southern
Institutions and southern methods OF
thought have thus been misrepresented.
But Il Ii none the less fact that the South
Is In great degree responsible for such
state Of things. Southern probes
sors, specialists. teachers, and Others
interested in social science, American
history, &c. have not responded a. they
should have done TO the invitations OF their
northern brethren 10 become members OF
associations In which they would have q
fair opportunity 10 correct errors and make
their learning and intellectaalism felt.
They have not sought, as was their duty,
10 eulighten their northern brethren by in
terchsnge Of views on the very points
upon which they claim that the GREATEST IL
justice has been done our people. IL those
among us capable OF SO doing would press
the South TO the front in the arena
OF discussion in the associations OF
learned men that meet from time to time,
and to which they are generally cordially
invited, we would soon hear less OF the
condition Of education" in the South. Much
that is said about us in respect OF these
matters is due TO pardonable Ignorance.
We have by default allowed erroneous lin
prcssions to get abroad. The remedy for
all this is in taking advantage of the oppor-
tunity offered by just such bodies as will
convene at Saratoga in September. Let the
South in friendly spirit havea ROLAND
there for every northern OLIVER, and
she will not only benefit herself, but
the country at large. A fair exposition OF
southern ideas on all important ques-
lions Of social sciences would, we
believe, do more to render harmless the
assaults Of partisan journals and leaders
do more to bring about good understand
ing between the best people OF the two
sections-than anything else that could be
resorted 10. In the nature OF things it
would appeal 10 the best elements OF the
North ana secure for us an impartial hear
ing in matters that for years have been dis
torted by the politicians and used to STIR
up ill-feeling against our people. Another
point to be considered Is the personal adj
vaniages that result from the participation
in the proceedings OF meetings OF the cha
rseter mentioned. For instance, Professor
TOY would not now be In Harvard but for
his attendance upon the sessions of north
ern societies OF learned men. Not that he
was not emiuently qualified for the char
he holds at Harvard, but this fact would
not have been known in the North il he
had not placed himself In position to repre-
sent publicly southern culture.