Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-17
SOUTHERN HISTORICAL ASSN.
Proposed Organization of such n
Body In Washington.
Washington Starr


A meeting has been called at the Co
lumbar University for the evening OF
the 9th instant for the purpose OF or
gambling the Southern Historical Asso-
citation. One who Is taking a prominent
part In the movement said TO a reporter;
For years the study OF history has been
advanced In the South by such or
ganizations as the Maryland Historical
Society, the Southern Historical Society,
the Virginia Historical Society and SINH
lar organizations In Georgia, and others
OF the farther Southern States. They
nave done invaluable work In the collec-
ton, preservation, and publication of
papers relating particularly to the Co
lonial period, or to that time when the
South had its four years OF war.
1.-THE new association does not pro-
pose 10 conflict with the work OF assist
ing societies. but by encouraging ORR
ginal research, by discussion, by confer
ence among members, thus widening
personal acquaintance; by the collection
of material, and the publication OF the
results of patient investigation to further
the general object.
1.-THE southern field presents many at
tractlve features ITO the historical stu
dent. The first English settlement OF
the success OF the Virginia experiment.
together with the enterprising explora-
tons and records OF the redoubtable Cap
tain John Smith. made possible the
settlement OF New England, fourteen
years after the jamestown Colonists had
passed their starving-tims. Later. the
South contributed men and money In the
creation OF the republic, and no history
of this country is a history that falls
to detail in their full import the achieve
ments of the southerners in jurispru-
dence, in politics, craftsmanship, d.
plomacy, letters. and military move
ments i'm the first half OF the century.
and their strides in commerce and manu-
features during the latter part.
Though several successful ventures
have been made into the field. extending
from the Revolution TO the civil war, the
history of the United States concerning
that period-not the annals In the mere
political or constitutional philosophy or
the time-is yet to be written.
This applies particularly TO the South.
But in recent years some OF the younger
generation have found II OF great impor-
lance to develop some or the vast store
of rich material which Is accessible. In
the Congressional Library and the collec-
lions OF different States, as well as In
private libraries. Is a vast amount OF most
valuable stores, such as biographies,
magazines, old files of newspapers, re-
ports OF State and municipal authorities,
ETC., that throw great light upon the
past.
This Is being thoroughly handled by
men devoted rather 20 the task OF setting
forth the facts relating TO their section In
sympathetic colors than TO the profit that
some people imagine accrues 10 the au-
thor. And the organization OF the South
ern Historical Association VIII give an
immense impetus to such undertakings
Among those who have sgnified their
endorsement of the proposed organization
and many OF whom have promised to at
tend the meeting at the Columbian Uni
yersity. are Rev. DIR. J. l.. NJ. Curry, POST
master-General Wilson, Senator Morgan,
General Wade Hampton. Rev. Dr. STAKE
ley. ]. J. Darlington. Or. @. Brown Goode
A Howard Clark, William c. Winloch,
General Marcus j. Wright, Professor Lea
Davis Lodge, Professor Hermann Schoen-
field. James Ward Davidson, ID. X. Good
loe. Ioylck Pierce w. III. Lamar, Dr. >.
y. Weeks, George =. Peil. H. A. Oidham,
and 7. l.. Cab. OF Washington, ID. T..
Professor William Handt Browne, OF
Johns Hopkins University; Colonel
Richard Malcolm Johnston, ana Generai
Bradley t. johnson, Baltimore; General
G. w. Gusts Lee, Lexington, va; Repre-
sentative Bankhead. of Alabama; Charles
w. Dabney, Assistant Secretary Depart
ment of Agriculture, and several hundred
of eminent theologlans and scholars re-
siding In every section OF the country.