The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-31

L. Traylor y. IT, Wise. J. Taylor Ely
son. J. Caskie Caben. James l. Andcr-
son, Alex Cameron. Dr. Alfred G. Palmer
DIT q. W. i. Brock, w. O.. Stanard. and
Joseph Bryan.
The Introduction. which was a particu-
iariy happy on" was made by Mr.. John
j. Mcclure IN performing this duty
he referred 20 The glorious history upon
which the people % this Commonwealth
arc 10 Dee congratulated ana 10 the re-
sponsibihties which devoive upon them
proportianately on the basis "n0blesse
0blige."
BLESSED WITH ANCESTRY.
Never, said he We're any people moro
blessed with pure. brilliant and viriie an-
cestry and never were any people more
eXcusable for ancestor worship. so-called
He then referred 20 Mr.. Lassiter-his
distinction which made Introduction n
superfuity. To mis- gifts. said ne he
would not refer. as that course would
be unworthy Of the good breeding for
which thr name NJ the state was synO-
nym. daughter ana applause. His
lecture was 10 be in no sense q mere
compilation of current history, but was
prepared from original sources and pro-
portionatclv valuable
Before making way for Mr. Iassite
DE stated that a. highly important meet
ing Of the Committee on Midsummer
Nights Dream" would be held at 4
o'clock this afternoon in me rooms OF
the Virginia Historical Society a large
attendance was earnestly requested.
Mr.. Lassiter amid applause took his
stand before the audience and presented
wha- he STYLED Military Notes of that
Period of the Campaign OF 1881 in Vir-
{ % fa ina Of
Arnold"
His lecture was scholarly 20 a high
degree and his mastery Of his facts
mat of conscientious ami svmpa thetic
as well as a thoughtful and philosophical
student As matter OF fact the sketch
well deserves publication for hs aehnira-
bic condensation Of historical fact.
AIR. LASSITERS ADDRESS.
In the outset Mr.. Lassiter quoted from
Mr. Alexander Brown whose historical
labors have reflected distinction" upon
this Commonwealth. eft is always most
desirable" said he. "for history 10 en-
courage patriotism. This is its chief
value. and it cannot do this If II pre-
sents our ancestors and their acts TO us
as they are pictured by their adverse
ries ApplauseD
History must be true. of course
yet there must always be different stan
dards from which the historian may
view the movement. And il IS Of es-
pecial importance for us 10 see 10 IL.
as Disraci said that our histories are
'on the side of the augcls'-that they en-
courage patriotism
Proceeding however tho lecturer
stated that he had learned 10 believe
that the historian who consciously
adopts any standpoint may Justly incur
the satire Of the Italian poet
Hos no il subiect-that / must con-
TESS
But he's "a bad historian. ne'ertheloss."
Tie also quoted Monsieur Boyle the !
distinguished French critic. upon the
characteristics OF the ideal historian
then stating that. in the preparation of |
his lecture. DE had venturei "to hold !
out 20 himself the high standard OF the |
scholarly Frenchman. and with the |
more confidence because nearly every |
statement Of fact had been taken from |
the original records. lie had ventured 10 |
approach a critical period in the life OF |
a young Commonwealth because IL was |
as much the historians duty 10 point out |
what should be Stunned as 20 Clorify |
excellence.
AN AGRICULTURAL PEOPLE.
eve shall find" said ne. IAN agricul- |
AAlnA lfUIIt NOUIIOUllNk n world NlNt /
empire and infant government born in
tho throcs OF war contending with a /
power historic through centuries We
shall find tho veterans OF Minien. Of
Quiber0n and quebec pitted against
levics fresh from the pillow. Shall we
blush because our legislative councils
wero less vigorous than those OF the
trained Parliament Of England. or that
the immortal author OF the Declaration |
Of Independence did not spring 20 the |
theatre Of arms Ike a new Alexander |
The eventual glories OF the panorama
must be left 20 some more fortunate |
hand. 7 have chosen the sadder views
for instruction, rather than delight"
He then summarized the salient events
during the closing days OF l7s0. when.
said he Thomas Jefferson. Governor OF
Virginia. enjoyed no sinecure"
'As tho year closes" he proceeded |
the General Assembly is in session. and |
{ we may believe contemporary letters
Mr.. Cleveland was not the frst American
executive who found a legislative body !
a team Of wild horses on his hanls
The important question OF how 10 raise
he States quota OF continental uo9ps.
md afterwards TO arm and equip them
we're referred 10. and the fact thrt the
Virginia militia was from the military
unreliable. vas stated
AT this period OF the struggle six
ears Of war had somewhat tempnei the