Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-30
NEGLECT OF HISTORY.
SOME ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE
CRIME IN VIRGINIA.
POLITICS IN TIE STATE LIBRARY.
Paper Read by Mr.. Robert Lee Tray
Tor Before Virginia baptist His
torioal society Causes the Discus
siOn.-Rey. Il. DOdsOn's Character.

The attendance at the meeting of the
Virginia Baptist Historical Society in the
lecture-room of the Second Baptist church
last night was not large, owing 10 the
Indictment weather and the fact that an
other meeting of Baptists was held last
night for the purpose of taking pre-
liminary steps TO arrange for the enter
tainment of the National Baptist Young
Peoples Union at its meeting here next
year.
The session of the society was not long
but was very pleasant. Mr.. Robert Lee
Traylor read very entertaining paper
on Some Illustrations of the Crime of
Neglect of Historical Matters in Virginia"
and Rev. DR.. j. Is. Taylor read a sketch
OF Rev. Elias Dodson. for many years
weN-known Baptist minister of Virginia.
One OF the most interesting features
of the meeting was the unanmlty with
which the members of the board, in the
general discussion following the reading
OF Mr.. Traylor's paper denounced the
practice prevailing in Virginia of making
the Office Of State Librarian subject TO
changes in the political complexion of the
State.
The meeting convened at S15 o'clock,
WITH LIT. j. Is. IdNlbTs llE pItHlueul, III
the chair. Rev. DR.. Charles II. Ryland,
u. D., stated that several papers were 10
be read by members Of the society, and
spoke in commentators terms Of the treat
in store for their auditors.
MP. TRAYLoR's PAPER.
There was some discussion of the ad-
visibility of postponing hearing the
papers until some meeting al which there
%as larger attendance but il was de-
cided TO hear them at once. Mr.. Tray
lor's paper was read first, and was greatly
enjoyed. He was several times interrupt
ed by applause, and frequently he had
TO repeat paragraphs containing asser-
lions surprising and startling. After a
graceful introduction he said. in part:
AT the outset, let me expressly disclaim
any unwillingness TO own the obligations
we are under for what has been accom-
plished through the efforts of r. L.
Hawks. Charles Campbell Bishop Meade,
X. b. Semple. James b. Taylor. r.. Il. c.
Howell John H. Rice. William II. Foote.
w. w Bennett, William Maxwell William
Green, Philip Slaughter John Esten
Cooke Thomas ". Wynne, Hugh Blair
Grgsby, w w Cochran. Mann S. Valen-
Ilne Conway Robinson. and others among
the dead: Alexander Brown. u. A Brock.
j. L. NJ Curry, Charles II. Ryland, !
George W. Beale. r. Il. Minor n. r. |
Howison, Richard 1rby. Lyon G.. Tyler |
Edward w. James, X. Heath Dabney, T. |
v Valentine. Charles Poindexter. G. G. |
Chamberlayne, ard others among the |
living. But these have all worked singly, |
almost unaidcd and alone. and the very
thought Of them gives me the opportunity l
70 state as Crime No. ! the almost entire |
neglect OF the cooperative spirit. which |
is so noticeably characteristic OF Vir-
ginians through our whole history as
Colony ard as "A Commonwealth. Your J
fvr,fcai r'fr~ir an fr ur
NAL He seems TO prefer to "nock by
eminonuy the age OF combinations ard
OF cooperative effort and If we would
keep up with the Professionally. keep
ourselves from being entirely left and
forgotten In the march Of progressive
must look beyond the confines Of what
f'0h'o' Dravtnn called Virginia,
Earth's Only Paradise; observe and learn
VI l4r experiences OF others and profit
thereby. Organization aud cooperation
are the things most needful for us now.
A LATE BEGINNING
No attempt was made 10 organize a his
torical society In Virginia until 1881. the
same year ia which organizations were
perfected in Ohio and Indiana--daughters
OF Virginia. The organ ~>'io- 90 ring
then with chlef-Justice John Marshall as
its first presldent. has mere. = cd
There appear 10 have been occasional
spasms Of activity OF few years dura-
ton. and then relapse for much longer
periods into a quiet and stiffness akin 20
's"t OF the grave. The present very mad