Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-08
LOCAL HISTORIANS
The First Regular Meeting Of the
Columbia Historical Society.
ADDRESSES BY DR.. TONER AND OTHERS
Matters Which Invite the Attention
Of the Local Chronicler.
AN AUSPICIOUS BEGINNING

The first regular meeting OF the recently
| organized Columbia Historical Society was
held last evening at the home Of the presi-
dent, DIR. j. M. Toner. 1445 Massachusetts
avenue The interest which this new or
ganization has aroused was indicated in
| some degree by the representative gather
| ing which attended the first formal session.
Men. and also women, who are prominent
| in the literary and social circles of the city
formed the audience, which met in the par
lors Of DR.. Toner'S residence. There was no
routine business transacted. and after the
secretary of the society, Prof. Marcus Ba-
ker. at the request OF the president. had
read the constitution and bylaws. which
are brief and simple. the president formally
announced that the society had been incor-
porated and was now ready to enter upon
its work. He then started the new organi-
zation very auspiciously on its career by de-
livering thoughtful and suggestive adj
dress on the scope Of such society. and
ant historical research in local history
which are open before it..
The address of the president was followed
by one from Mr.. Ainsworth r. Spofford. the
librarian of Congress. whose theme was
''The Methods and Aims of Historical In
Quiry." A local application and bearing
was given to this subject by Mr.. Spofford.
whose wide and varied acquaintance with
the history of the District Of Columbia has
been well attested by his numerous ad-
dresses and by his contributions to current
literature on topics Of local historical i'm
portance. This paper will be printed IN full
in The Star
DR.. Toner'S Address.
The address Of DR.. Toner is given in full
and Is as follows:
Ladies and gentlemen and members of
the Columbia Historical Society: To you
bow my most grateful Acknowledgements for
the hoIor of the position I occupy before
you tonight. I presume It is in the nature
OF recognition Of the interest have taken
in our local historical matters. but 1 fully
appreciate the fact that even in good en-
terprises neither zeal nor earnestness can
serve as an equivalent for knowledge and
experience. Honestly distressing my abil-
ity to discharge with proper efficiency the
imposed trust. / shall nevertheless give to
the sc iety my most loyal adhesion and ex-
ert my best efforts to promote Its purposes.
heartily wish, however. that a more capa-
hle and eloquent member stood in my place.
whose comprehensive knowledge of the re-
quirements essential to the Founding ora
useful historical society and. whose words
Of wisdom and encouragement might not
only point out the various channels along
which the more desirable studies may be
proatab,y prosecuted. but also arouse en-
thusiasm and suggest the most judicious
methods for promoting this society's best
interests.
In obedience to the direction of the board
of mana. cement, / shall endeavo- to dis
charge the part assigned to me as best
skl,x &c.
only your assistance, but also your in
diligence and charity tor any Shortcomings
that may be in this Inaugural communica-
ton or may at any time discover itself 10
the society in the discharge of my official
duty. The second article OF the constitution
we have adopted FOR cur government briefly
outlines the purposes of the Columbia His
torical Society TO be the collection, prese--
yation and diffusion CT knowledge respect
ing the history and topography OF the Dis
trict OF Columbia and national history and
biography. Al the very outset OF our eX-
isterce the question presents itself how We
Elay best proceed to the accomplishment of
these several cni distinct things, each Of
which is essential To a unity OF purpose
and to the success OF the society. We live
in an age and country Of very general edu-
cation, marvellous mechanical Inventions
and the evolution of civil liberty ard equal
rights. Our nation is new, our Individuality
intel Sc. the unfolding of history rapid and
| the neglect and destruction OF records in
excuse bic. My remarks upon the purposes
OF the society end how To accomplish them
shall be orief and practical rattle. than
rhetorical More than century has elapsed
since the site OF shis city. was selected by
the patriot and statesman whose Fame 1t
bears to be the permanent seat Of govern
meat Of the United States.
Splentii6 Plan of the City.
The city was planned en- comprehen-
sive and magnificent scale. But may
state here rather parenthetically that 1t
| has already outgrown the bounds then
| deemed ample for the capital of the Anari-
can republic. Already numerous suburban
villages. which in few years will become
! a part of the city. are springing into ex-
| istence. but they are unfortunately, many
of them. projected without any regard to
| symmetry or to have them conform to
| the original plan of the streets and ave
nues of the city of Washington. The gen.
GRAFTON of man who were contem oora-y
and active in the fouiding CT the city have
| performed well their tasks and gone to their
| rewards They left but few written
records of their labors in life, and even
/ fewer observations and descriptions of the
| federal territory as they bound it, No hv-
| Ing witnesses are now left VINO have person
| al knowledge of the beginning of WASH
| ington city.
We are therefore forced to accept much
! of our early history on traditions and to
verify many facts in relation to the past
c.
| 1t Is only known TO those who have had
| occasion to search for facts relating to
| the topography, the early legislation and
| development of this city how meager, in
| complete and scattered are the existing
| records of the District OF Columbia. Our
! annals, such as they are. deserve to be
! assembled. verified and thoroughly canvass
! ed and calendared, so as to be preserved
| and made useful. This is 4 proper work to
| be done or promoted by the Historical So
| ciety. 1 assume that every member Is
! Jealous in the cause of historical study
and will. in his own way, use his best eff
| forts to discover original papers and docu-
| ments of historical value, local or national
and obtain gifts of this character, wherever
| practicable. to the society.
| Collection of a Library.
A working library or collection of help
| full records, books. papers, charts and oocu-
| ments. which shall be kept accessible to
| the members and historical students, is at
present a most urgent necessity. Every
| thing must have beginning. The ccllec-
ton of good library is a work of time.
| unceasing labor. judicious selection ard the
| expenditure of money, but a division of
duty and the aid of friends WILL we trust,
| tighten the work before us. This measure,
| like all efforts which promise to bear fruit,
| is born of desire and must be nourished by
| unity of sentiment and persistency of pur-
| pose as well as by careful oversight. We
| must not be too proud to solicit contribu-
| tons to our records and library in doing SO
| We stoop only to conquer. The varied