The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-03-03
The Writing of History.

An editorial from the Yorkvlle Ieoman
will be found interesting, even If one is not
Inspired with a belief In the correctness OF
the views therein expressed.
History and the notable events in the
past are subjects which too often reflect
the prejudices of the historian. To write
GUS events is most difficult. No two persons
would agree in their account OF a dog fight.
much less OF the great events in the history
OF a country.
True history, or accepted history, can only
be written after the participants in the occur
renee have passed away. Al long as thous-
ands Of old soldiers live, no accepted history
can be written of the war and the causes
which led up to the terrific struggle.
No account OF the war which Is written
during the life time of the participants OF the
great battles that made the land historic can
be regarded with favor by all the people.
The fame Of many great men rests as large
ly on the causes which they espoused as upon
their own superior minds. The people asso-
ciate important principles and notable events
with the leaders and actors In the drama. II
these principles fail. or are overshadowed by
or forget the actors on one side. while magni.
Tying and glorifylng the leaders and partici-
pants on the other side.
The Yeoman says:
John e. Calhoun was one OF the greatest
men America has produced"
These words, or words TO that effect, are al
most stereotyped; yet who has ever quoted
John c. Calhoun in support OF any theory,
except perhaps those old theories that have
been long since exploded by the logic OF
events. The Press and Banner, living in the
home OF John C. Calhoun. con fesses that we
know nothing of him. except that he mad g
speeches that few men have read, and that
we do not recollect to have heard q stump
speech in twenty years that did not refer TO
John G. Calhoun's greatness, without giving
us the least idea as TO wherein his greatness
lay. The fact Is, that we have heard the
name Of Calhoun, and few local celebrities
who had kindred. until we are worn out and
have no more patience with the public idola.
try OF "our SET"
Observation leads US to believe that local
greatness depends very largely on the num-
ber of little kindred that a man leaves
behind TO blow his fame. The idea that some
bodys greatness would add lustre to the
name or kindred OF far-of relatives seems to
prevail and there are men who would soon.
er be small potatoes In the presence of great
ness than TO be themselves men and the
leaders of men.
Although they were not inferior TO many
whose names are sounded wherever there is
q bored audience in Abbeville county, yet
the names OF Pettigru, Burt. Moragne. and
Alston are never heard. They left no kindred
to be pleased and they have no living friends
whose vanity 1t will pay the orator 10 tickle
1t pays no orator simply 10 eulogise the de-
serving dead.
The names OF Orr, Hampton, and Tillman
will go down In history. Orr's name will be
honored. Hampton's will be fixture In the
annals OF South Carolina. And Tillman's
name will never he forgotten. But this is not
the time to write the history OF either. If
full justice should be done to either Of these
men offence would be given TO many
others. Less than Justice would be al un-
fairness to the men whose memory will be
preserved and whose name will be forever
connected with the History of South Carolina.
Let US be historians, and not hero worship.
pers. Let us not enlarge the greatness OF 9th.
ers by degrading or Understanding our
selves.