Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-23

the society, since its organization, in
variably adjourned after its annual meet
ing to some place. where an address was
delivered by some chosen orator Before
the war. he said, the society had OBJ
served this custom as frequently a. possi-
bic. and some of the greatest historians
and scholars that this country had ever
produced had appeared before them. The
members had been particularly anxious
this year 70 Introduce 10 the public
conspicuous scholar, whose appearance
here should be no less advantageous TO
the public AT large than TO the society.
They had not. he said. had TO seek be-
yond the borders Of Virginia. Professor
Moses Colt Tyler was g New Englander
by birth, but at heart Nirginan, aud
one who loved Virginia. and had studied
her history most closely.
PROFESSOR TYLER'S ADDRESS.
Professor Tyler. who was very cordially
greeted. said he felt most sincerely the
high honor that ii was to have his name
included in the list of eminent scholars
who had spoken before the society. Ii
was difficult. he said, TO find words IN
which 10 express his qualification at the
hearty reception accorded him. When he
received the invitation 10 deliver an
address before the society, he accepted
1t promptly, and with great delight al
though he was much pressed with work.
because he was not able TO deny himself
the pleasure of coming once more 10
ground SO sacred and so historic. lie
said that he believed the address he was
about to deliver was 4 new and hitherto
unwritten chapter. both in American his
tory and American literature. 1t was.
he said, an attempt 10 explore through
our literature and history the national
consciousness of that mighty people. who,
within the past two centuries and a half.
have seized and covered and dominated
this continent, and are now engaged in
Transforming 1t from a haunt of savagery
into goodly home Tor humanity; 10
make this continent the most bengnant
school Tor mans brain. the most indus
trious workshop for his hand the most
joyful resting-place for his hearts af-
fections, and. finally, the most sacred
temple for his deathless soul bowling I'm
alteration before the Giver Of all good
NAMING OF THE REPUBLIC.
II am to try said DIT. Tyler, ito tell
you the story OF the naming Of our re-
public, and. In the first place. let me
remind you that this begins with an in
terrogation point placed over against the
full official designation of our country
The United States of America as given
to IT In the Constitution. in the statutes.
and in many thousands OF State papers.
The Interrogation point stands for a chal-
lenge and, indeed. for denial, OF the
fitness of that designation TO be our ma
tional name"
Professor Tyler than reviewed the oh
Jections that arc urged against the name.
He said one objection Is that it is lack
ing IN an important attribute Of a ma
tional name since 1t Is really not q name
al ali, bat mere phrase. Others. We
are told, can coin the name Of their
country into the designation Of them
selves. But we. the people OF the United
States OF America. how can we designate
ourselves from the cumbr0us, official de-
signation Of our country
Then, again, We are told the separate
word America does not distinguish
our country; that it is a designation
which does not designate. since II H. said
10 be applicable to the whole continent.
as well as to our particular portion of 1t.
And. still again the case is no better
as regards distinctness IL one detaches
the first two words United States. and
makes a sort of hybrid adjective Of them.
We are not the only united States In
the modern world. In Europe there have
been the United States Of Holland. and
the United States OF the Ionian Islands:
ana, IN the western HemiS sphere. there
are already four or FIVE groups OF united
States the United States Of Columbia;
the United States OF Central America;
the United States Of Mexico and now the
United States of Brazil Therefore.
what we want is sign of our identity.
We want utterance for our nationality
We want a watchword more national
than that Of States: more powerful than
that of party. We want the means OF
proclaimng by one word our union into
one nation. We desire 10 see written
on the pages OF the worlds history one
name, In which no other people shall
have part or lot; that sh-u signify TO
the Old World the great republic beyond
the seas: "A word that shall represent
the idea of united and homogeneous
people; that shall be associated with our
history and progress; that shall rest upon
our flag, and go with our advancing
eagles There never before has been a
nation OF any consequence In
the world without It's own appropriate.
distinctive name. The great nations
that have hitherto arisen have made
their names "a spell In story.
THE NAME OF COLUMBIA.
In the very birtb-time OF the republic an
effort was made 10 adopt some single
term which should be a talisman for the
heart TO cherish and for the tongue to
utter THAT proposed namo was simply
Columbia the speaker continued. PRO
badly but few persons now living are
aware OF the energetic, widespread, and
persistent efforts that were made I'm the
Inter part OF the Revolution and for