Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-06
THE BOOK QUESTION,
Discussion in the Virginia Grand
Camp Continued
THE MERR|MAC AN ISSUE
In Author Makes a Personal Expla-
ldll0l.
THE RIGHT OF SECESSION
Tho Recommendations in the Repor
of the History Committee Adopted
Motion TO ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
and banquet.

cr-IPEPER. VA. October 5.-(special) |
rss superb address OF Judge George l. |
Cnristian last night. which was received |
with enthusiastic applause and for
which he was heartily thanked by
Using vote of the packed house who
hoard him. was fitting preparation for
Cha discussion of the history question
this morning.
The camp was opened by fcrvent and
s,,ropriate prayer offered by Rev. Dr.
Hall. OF Danville. Letters of regret at
absence were read from Major II. A
Rrander. of Richmond; Rev Dr. b. d.
Tucker. Of Norfolk. grand chaplain and
judge J. T. Goolrick, of Fredericksburg.
There was some discussion as to whe-
ther speakers should be limited and 1t
was finally decided to limit speeches to
ten minutes Captain NJ. w. Hazlewood
called for n division of the history report
and moved to adopt it down 10 the mem
tion OF Cooper, Lennon & Estll COur
Country.'D
Mr.. W. H. Porter, OF Portsmouth tp-
posed the adoption of this part of the re-
port. on the ground that it denies the
right Of secession. He was also opposed
TO endorsing Lees and Joness histories,
because they were. in his judgment full
OF mistakes. He cited several instances CT
what he conceived to be serious mistakes
in both of these books, and especially in
Jones's History. He very earnestly in
sisted that these books should be revised
he
again endorses them. lie was especially
severe on the two books for giving TO
Lieutenant John Mercer Brooke the
credit of the conception Of the Merrimac
Wlreinia) ironclad instead of TO Naval
Constructor Porter, whom he claimed to
be the real or sSestor and constructor.
As full discussion Of this question has
been published in the Dispatch in past
years IL is unnecessary to give lengthy
report of his statements.
When Mr. Porter's time was out It was,
on motion. unanimously extended indcd-
nitely. and he made an able and earnest
speech on the Importance of a full Con-
federate history. and an earnest protest
against endorsing any imperfect books.
He insisted that this Grand Camp should
not endorse these books unless they were
revised and corrected.
MR.. ROYALL.
William l.. Royal said he had listened
with interest 10 the address of Comradt
Porter. but insisted that much of 1t wa
not applicable 10 the question at Issue
The History Committee had simply car
lied out the views of the Grand Camp
In endorsing the histories of Lee ant
Jones Ii might be admitted that there
were imperfections in these books, ou
they were the very best we had. The,
we're recommended by the Grand Camp
and its committee, and had been adopted
bv the state Board of Public instruction
and nv most Of the cities and towns, an'
should now be again commended
He ably defended other points IN th
report. ,o..o,
The Chair then presented letter
OF greeting from the local Chapter OF IN
Dauehters of the COnfederacy, remark
inc that a communication from thes
roble women. like a motion TO adjourn
was always in order
,rba chair then stated that commu
njcation had been handed him from MI
Wheeler. Of Boston, agent or the puoiisil
ere ~ Fiske's History. defending the booh
on motion of Hon. r. 5. Parks o
pc the communication was unanl
mouslv laid on the table, ne rehiar rhiil nj,
tr.t I'VE can attend 10 our business WIN
o"t the aid of publishers and boo
agents"
GENERAL FIELD.
c.,oroi I G. Field made an earnes
"a a1oouent plea for broad history an
trsieted mat we had no need TO a9oI
n,. hool<s but should leave the whoi
matter TO the state ana county 'VHos 'Vs
boards. General George !. hunoley eara
,sllv insisted that our hrst aheslanSe s,a We
due 10 Virginia, ana ou'
TO the United states. 90 .ne,
~ William Jones arose 10 PEI
- Svrianatiou." in which he said ina
"a come here determined not
sor Iones's History and he Woui
,ot violate MS purpose by uelenuin5
here and now from the crltlcisiil9 - .,.N
becn made He held hlihset psSt ;
10 correct any real erlcIs ., '.,@s us n,
roi,,ed out. But the question W"' ~
49, ,hc nee of Jones's History IL
ehe, y. nitched into the ocean IL IL "a
,o,ibv But let us not take dh
g,cn boclSwards in the great WIN ~,
beetin twcnty-seven years ago % .,ns
o,r schools Of Yankee schooi ils.oart .rt
General Field moved that 'he ,ePV, ,,oa j,
received and reierreo 10 'h0
of Public Instruction ,,o-.,,,,,lI
,,adn clear and able speech In wniC
bo insis,ed that the Criticisms that 10
been made proceeded on the suPPooi'iv
thar an imperfect man or woman 80 80
rr,to nerfect book. None of the sfe'
bs,ories were perfect, and so the re
nolIcy for us was 10 use the best v
could gel and seek TO induce the au'ho
10 improve them as might be necessa,
He urged the camp TO stand by ana su
tain the committee. s.,
colonel G.. w. Ramsey OF AieAanuil
apnealed 10 the camp not 70 so pack
a.. nre,,,ous action, but TO adopt the r
port OF the committee
Hon II. s. Parks. OF Luray' though,
wise 10 learn from our former enemie
and as the Grand Army OF the kepuoi
rad employed Professor McMasters
write them history that should give ~
credit 10 .rebels." we ought 70 sialh