Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-29
PERCY GREG'S BOOK.
LETTER OF APOLOGY FROM
PROFESSOR DABNEY.
Mr.. Uowison "DOcs Not Retract
Any of the Charges or Criti-
ciSms Heretofore Made"

To ne Editor Of the Dispatch:
The very extraordinary communica.
ton which appeared in your issue OF
January 18th under The heading of "a
Caustic Card naturally enough ex-
cited a feeling of smazement and just
Indignation in the minds OF myself
and Of many friends and acquaintance
whose affection and esteem have
long enjoyed. Ample material Was
at hand for reply, showing
how seriously tho writer of that card had
imper.lled his own position and credit
as 4 teacher and critic of history by his
published articles IN advocacy aud de-
fence of Gregs work both IN their sub
stance and spirit, their matter and man
ner. Some OF this material may with
out my knowledge find public express
sion. But on yesterday | received by
mail n letter Of apology from Professor
Dabney in the following words:
43EAsr rwE>rY->INrH STREET, Nsw YoRS,l
January -, 1898. !
Rev. R. R d. -f,on, Fredsrets5urJ. Va:
Dear ~ir.-Feiore waiting 10 see whethor you
Will mako any reply 20 my letter IN last sundays
RIruuoSD DISPATCH / wish TO apologize to you
for the harshuess ~ my language. In palliaiOn
Of my Olenrc lct mo say, however, that it WAS
solely my deep interest IN Gregs BOOK ana not
any iil feeling toward yourself personally thar
lei me ln,O tine use az such words. Let me say
pls), in Justice % myself. that l should never
have written in such "a tone had yOu signed your
name O. YOur ARTICLES m tho DISPATCH.
But while flDso combinations may serve
partly 90 explain how 1 could attack 50 severely
a man of your are, 10 not claim that they ex-
cu4e mo. therefore beg your pardon for speak-
ing o. y0I iu the way that dd, aud desire that
yoI publish this apology IN tho DISPATCH.
Yours truly. Il. II. DAbNEf.
In view Of the contents OF this letter
and OF the full apology therein made, |
forbear 10 write any further comment on
the published articles of Professor Dab
uey concerning Greg's book. But do
not rotract any Of the charges against
and criticisms on that book heretofore
made. They have been confirmed, and
more than confirmed, by reviews and
notices of the book which have appeared
in public journals in Virginia and else
VIII re since this discussion tegan. The
imputatlons Of indirect and selfish mo-
tiyos that have been made are not
ohly uHiountcu "n'' UNJUST ""t ~;
IN tho very nature OF the case sosutd
and Incredible. After having carefully
read Greg Work, II was lthpo9'io'e ior
me To believe mat any rlVary OF com
petition NJ the Oook market or III pu"hc
demHn could arse between that "oth
AMI the "otudent5 History ot the
Unit Cd states, lately puDlished' ana oi
which am Inc author. ne TWO hooNS
diiiDr ralcllly AMI g'hericallN' IIey
dlu not Only IN ."'' put III Jf"""'
lhey do not move III the same sphere,
aAd therefore hel.h'i rl''lry' nor COM
petition. nor 'ouiH'oh he."seh 'neH' Is
20 h' ap.r.1ruJ'd. Ihoer All the
c.rc'.m iaures Nio''te no prihc'pie ol
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