Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-04

a committee, however patriotic or emil
nent u morally unfit to write = nstoty
or anything else WHICH unosrtsAss r ~ ~
is romance and no will DO well. Y Dis
so-called history escapes m excess OF tne
imaginative quality. Tho motive oL =
man who makes the result OF his nsto u Ssai
study conform to the Views OF others than
himself Is most likely commerclal one
for such work can hope for neither per-
manence nor fame. The only views WIN
which historian Is concerned IRE .'p re
which are the conscientious results OF MS
Investigations. free from the color OK pre-
conceived opinions.
Your committees, therefore, conclude q
history gotten up by committee OF sv
Gators representing the North and SOUTH
respectively, would be a bleacneu cum
promise; they think II best to rely on
that true historic talent which - now uo,
velopins itself both at the NORM anu
South to rise gradually above the pre-
tudjces of section. and to take on that
spirit Of fairness and truth which VIII
form the essence OF true AmerlcanlsH. d
spirit which will tend TO consider tne
good of coming generations OF youth. ia
perpetuating American self-respect ana
manhood. and that Anglo-Saxon spirit
which would make them retain a true
love OF liberty, regardless OK conse-
quences.
The fact that people at the North ana
South are not entirely satDned Win tie
histories now used in the public schools
Is evidence that the truth OF history Is
asserting itself in hewing closer to tne
facts than pronounced prejudice wouio
permit. 1t is expecting too mucn IN tne
generation which took part In the great
est struggle Of modern times 10 De re-
moved entirely from the passions or the
period, but we are gradually approaching
that result in the tone Of histories writ
ten by northern and southern men; Inc
time IS near when the painstaking, broad
minded catholic historian can write
history free from prejudice and passion,
and permeated with the true spirit ol
liberty-loving Americanism.
Your committee think the plan now
being pursued in inviting many writer's
into the field of history is better than that
of selecting one or more writer's, VINO
might err, and yet receive the indorse-
ment of our association and tend TO per-
petuate partisanship, prejudice, ana mar
row bounds in Il matter requiring tne
highest order Of integrity and breadth or
mind. We believe last verdict will be
rendered. which, at the impartial tripunal
of history, Will declare in the words OF
our commanding. general: mo more ex-
allied motive, no more consecrated pur-
pose or hoier conviction ever inspired
people than actuated both sections on
both sides Of that contest
"That American self-respect has been
vndicated. American manhood made
strong, American Union made permanent,
and American freedom made safer Dy
reason Of that conflict"
While your committee adhere to the
opinion previously expressed ana reiterated
in this report that this association does
not desire TO appoint any one person 10
represent this organization as the sole
exponent of its sentiments and opinions,
but. on the contrary, wish to invite tne
individual efforts OF many writers pc
leving that the field of history should pe
mir 10 ct
mittee recognize the Importance of Sc
curing the services of some competent
comrade TO select historical data and
many Of the fast-fieeting incidents OF the
war: to arrange the same for the use OF
the future historian, and TO give TO them
such publication as may be proper we,
therefore, recommend that your. commit,
tee be empowered to appoint historical
editor. whose duty IL shall be TO coiect
reliable historical data and edit the same
for publication, subject TO the approval
of your committee.
General Lee mentioned in this connec-
ton the Confederate Veteran, and COM
mended 1t to his hearers.
Since the organization OF this committee,
in 1892 three of its members have passed
over the river and "are resting In the
shade of the trees" with Robert ~. Lee,
Stonewall JACKSON. Joseph FL Johnston,
Braxton Bragg, Hood, Frank Cheatnan.
and Bedford Forrest, and are now win
the greater numbers OF those who were
our comrades in 1861 and 1860.
The first to go was the pure, heroic,
and spotless soldier, Edmond KIRBY,
Smith. of Tennessee, the last OF the full
generals of the Confederate army.
The next to follow was Professor Alon-
20 Hill, Of Alabama. a typical private SOL
der. and belonging to that band of heroes
who filed the ranks OF the most heroic
army OF modern tiNles, and whose valor
placed the wreaths and stars on the col
lars Of the general officers and whose
only reward was a conscientious discharge
of patriotic duty well done.
The next, and since our last reunion AZ
Richmond. Va, is Major w. Il. Campbell,
OF Arkansas. the amiable, resolute. loyal
soldier. whose advice and counsel We had
learned to rely on. We tender to his
stricken household our sympathy as a
committee, and the sympathy OF all our
comrades now assembled at this great
reunion.
Respectfully submitted.
STEPHEN d. LEE.
Chairman;
w. r. GARRETT,
CLEMENT A. EVANS,
GRAHAM DAWES