The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-17

/ most intelligent ana inhuebliai tn'n l" po"'N
Carolina. including Johnson Hagood, johu
] ohnson. William NJ. Grier. Ellison Caper'
John l.. Weber and G. W. Holland Ibes'
gentlemen have issued very strong circular
in which personal appeal is made IN orue'
20 bring together large and representative
assembly when the Society convenes Decen
her lst. and the responses they have already
received from every part OF tho state Warrant
them in thinking that the steps which they
have taken with this view will be most sue
cessful.
The work which it is intended that the
branch societies in the counties shall perform
was carefully outlined in recent report pre-
scented to the parent society. This work IN
cludes the preservation in detailed written
form Of all local history that has the slightest
claim 10 importance. In at least two OF the
South Carolina counties competent writers
have appeared already who have prepared a
most interesting record Of local annals, Bishop
Greggs' "Old Cheraws" and Judge O'NeilPs
Annals Of Newberryp being very valuable
contributions to the local history of the State.
II is proposed 10 initiate the work Of these
two writer's in all the other counties. The
histories Of the churches. OF the bench and
bar and Of the schools and colleges will DO
preserved; inscriptions Of historical interest
on grayestones in the old churchyards will be
renewed the rolls and records of the soldiers
of the State who were engaged in tho late war
will also be gathered together and filed for
reference; documents which are now hidden
away in private desks, old trunks and odd
hooks and corners, where they are in constant
danger Of mutilation and destruction will, If
their owners can be induced to part with
them. be collected and stored in place OF
safety where they will be accessible to the his
toricai student.
It is also proposed that all public records in
Europe which throw light on the early history
Of the State shall be carefully copied and re-
published for preservation among the papers
of the society. Already it has in course OF
preparation the Shaftesbury papers, the
earliest records Of Carolina. which were re-
Gently procured in London.
Il will be seen from the brief sketch which
we have given that the Historical Society Of
South Carolina has undertaken work which
if carried out thoroughly will insure a COM
plete preservation o. all the records Of the
State, both general and local. leading TO tho
formation Of collection OF papers not to be
surpassed in value as far as they 60 by any
similar collection in the United States.
The example which it has set should be
initiated by every Commonwealth Of tho
South. No means should be left unemployed
to rescue from oblivion all tho historical re
cords that illustrate the colonial history Of
these Commonwealths as we'll as the history
Of the period which preceded the late war.
When the annals Of the South shall come 10
be written in full. there should be ready to
hand vast mass Of material which will
furnish a basis for an exhaustive study Of all
the points involved. The preservation Of
their history is a religious duty imposed upon
the Southern people. and never has that duty
been more urgent or more stringent than ii IS
now. and than 1t will continue to be hereafter.