Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-21

: The spur may not be an idle or vain one
in the desire Of social advancement, FOL
that which makes us better acquainted
with excellent personal eXemplification
may lead further 10 a more serious study
of the history Of our country. Thus patri-
/ otto. and even social. societies have in
/ spring value. But the broad spirit OF
archaeological investigation and acute his
/ torical investigation, which mark the ef-
I forts of the United States, are signally
honoring, and keep our country, by any
contrast, in the van Of true enlightening
/ and benefcent progress.
The South has the quickening Of spirit,
IL is intrinsically indicated. our institu-
lions of learning are making provisions for
indicated requirements, with the fore
most. Our sister States, the Carolinas.
appear to have quite a stir just now in
historical output North Carolina, besides
various private contributions, is awake
again as TO the Colonial Records" This
valuable quarry was instigated and msti-
tuted by the late gallant man and patriot
and earnest citizen, Colonel William L.
Saunders, Secretary of State (and whom
it was admitted-so beloved was he
might have been Governor, and under his
editorial supervisions ten quarto volumes
were issued. Upon his sO-lamented death,
the duty of further editing the Records"
Walter Clark. 1t has been announced that
he has ready three additional volumes,
the first of which is a general index TO
the preceding ten volumes. edited by Colo
mel Saunders. and the two remaining COM
prise valuable matter, edited by Judge
Clark.
South Carolina is active, too. It's his
torcal society has being printed in this
city by Mr.. w. Ellis Jones "a well-known
int xrbf trflI hQ
comprehend five hundred or more pages Of
original matter. important to the correct
history Of the State. 1t will include the
"Shaftesbury Papers" and other selec-
lions, made by the late w. Noel Sains-
bury, the whole carefully and ably ammo
tated.
The earnest citizen and ex-journalist (of
such abundant and variedly useful en-
deavoD Major William a. Courtenay, eN-
Mayor of Charleston, as chairman of the
Cowpens Centennial Committee, has re-
Gently put forth the printed Proceedings |
of the dwelling Of the battle Monu- ]
ment." at Spartanburg, S. c., with illustra- |
tive matter Of special historical value.
Further, i'm the enlightening spirit, Gene |
raj Edward McCrady, of Charleston, has |
written and proposes TO publish, n COM
prehensive and critical history Of his ma
tive State. Other Of the Southern States
are also alert. The paramount value OF
the records and historical muniments OF
Virginia are gratefully admitted, no one
questions. OF our Calendar Of State
Papers" eleven volumes have been pub
ished. but the publication has been sus-
pended for several years The last volume. |
XI.. was issued quite four years ago. we
think.
1t has been complained by students that
he volumes issued were not adequately
ndexed. The Dispatch has from time to
line urged the preparation Of general
ndex TO the eleven volumes. 1t might seem
hat we could now gracefully follow the
Example Of our sister. North Carolina, as
o her Records" it has been stated
hat our State authorities have been in
uced 10 undertake the preparation and
publication of 1.-THE Proceedings Of the
1irginia Company" from the manuscript
opy belonging to the Virginia Historical
society. II is to be hoped that essential
rogress has been made upon this under
aking.