The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-16
THE LESSONS OF HISTORY
HON. L. F. YoUMANg ADDRESS BE-
FORE THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

A Brilliant, Scholarly and Eloquent
Speech-Gen. henry R Jackson Pays
a High Tribute to the Speech-The
Leading Features of the Address-A
Reception TO Col Youmans at Gen.
Jackson's Residence.
The annual address before the Savannah
Historical Society was delivered last night
by Hon. Leroy F. Youmans of Columbis, s.
c., in Hodgson hall, before the largest
gathering that has assembled on a similar
occasion in years.
The hall was packed its entire length,
and many stood or sat upon the stairways.
The audience was one calculated to appre-
ciate such an effort as that made by Col.
Youmans
The annual meeting of the society was
called to order in the basement of the hall
at o'clock. A recess was taken until to-
morrow night. when the regular order of
business will come up, and the meeting adj
journed to listen to the annual address.
Col. Youmans was introduced by the
president, Gen. Henry X. Jackson, who
paid an eloquent tribute to the distinguished
speaker.
COL. YoUMANs' ADDRESS.
Col. 'Youmans chose an appropriate sub
ject for his address. history and its lessons,
which he discussed in ali its bearings. its
beginning, its record, its achievements, and
its mistakes, the past, the present, and the
possibilities of the future the address was
learned, scholarly and eloquent. 1t was in
teresting throughout notwithstanding the
speaker occupied more than an hour in its
delivery. In fact, Col. Youmane exhausted
the subject without exhausting bis
hearers His familiarity with classical
history and the ready manner in which he
called forth incident after incident pre-
served from oblivion by the ancient his
torians was pleasing and instructive TO bis
listeners The historians from Plutarch TO
Macaulay and their methods, were reviewed
and criticised, and the strange positions
taken by the old historians in discussing i'm
portant events contracted with COMMONLY
accepted opinions upon the subjects to-day.
NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN.
Col. Youmans said Solomon wearied with
his accumulation Of knowledge, said 5000
years ago that there was nothing new under
the sun, and all subsequent research and
investigation tended to confirm the asser-
ton. The familiar proverbs and allegories
| of to-day are discovered in the Greek and
the Hebrew and the Sanscrit. The rise
and progress and fall of nations has been
much the same in all ages, aud the same
ideas and the same modes OF thought seem
10 have prevailed centuries ago the same as
| to-day.
Upon the other hand, change was the law
OF nature and the limitations of human af-
| fairs were as constant aud continuous as
| the changes of the seasons.
In conclusion Col Youmans reviewed the
history of this country from its small and
| troublesome beginning to its present grand
and glorious development and the possibili-
ties of the future.
BOTH SIDES PRESENTED.
Both sides Of the shield were presented,
the bright record of the past and the pres
emit strong united country compared with
the glowing predictions of the masters of
| political economy at the time of Its birth,
and even the unfavorable anticipations of
those who had aided in establishing it. On
i the other hand were the present threaten
ing evils and the possibility that the pre-
dictions Of the advocates Of strong govern
ment Of its final failure might yet come to
| pass should no limit be placed upon the
] power of the masses.
Col. Youmans' tributes to the grandeur
and power Of the union were received with
| applause during his speech and there was
| round Of applause at the conclusion. After
I the address Gen. jackson announced that an
informal reception would be held at his
! residence, at Castor and Bull streets, after
the adjournment of the meeting, and those
wishing to meet the speaker of the evening
| were invited to be present. The invitation
was accepted by many Of those present,
both ladies and gentlemen, who had the
| pleasure OF meeting Col. Xoumans at Gen.
| Jackson's
Col. Youmans' address will probably be
published by the society 10 pamphlet form.