New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-20
FOR THE STUDY OF HISTORY
NEW BUILDING OF WISCONSIN HISTORI-
CAL SOCIETY DEDICATED-AD-
DRESS BY c. F. ADAMS.

Madison, Wis, Oct. 1s.-The fine new library build
ing of the State Historical Society which has been
under construction for the last three years, was
formally dedicated this afternoon in the presence
of a large and distinguished assemblage.
The structure is the most splendidly equipped
historical library building In America. 1t is built
of buff limestone in the modernized Ionic style Of
architecture and cost fully equipped about 1913 600
Facing the lower campus Of the University Of Wis
consin on rising plot of ground 264 feet square.
the new home Of the society stands amid surround
ings that denote culture and intellectual atnos-
phere The outlook from the main reading room
from behind colonnade affords an attractive roof
view Of the neighborhood. with glimpses of Lake
MENDOZA. The adjoining streets State Langdon
and Park. The principal facade is on the east fac
ing the lower campus and the city.
charles Francis Adams, president of the Massa-
chusetts Historical Society. delivered greetings
from sister historical societies.. He said in part:
hold that the careful and intelligent reading of
This institution I accordingly regard the most
ton. 1t should be the sheet anchor by which, amid
the storms and turbulence of a tempestuous future
holding ground of tradition 1t is to further this
and important mission-a mission which he will
from the trammels of the past and rises to an
equality with the occasion. He must be prophet
and a poet well investigator and an
analyst. He must cut loose from many of the
date past and the educational precepts now
commonly in vogue. He perplex the modern
always and Of necessity, dull and that in
tSediectual soDTlety may be carried to an excess.
Now only IS it possible for writer to combine
learning and accuracy with vivacity but to be
the .judcious, be a species of stigma
:, Historical research may on the other hand result
portrayal OF the sequence Of events, It is to mans
point Of view of an artist, rather than, looking
With the dun eye Of mechanic seek to measure
TESS TESS myself Myself weary of those react9nsry
PACK with regret to that more spiritual and moro
confident time when we of the generation now
the prophets and not from laboratories. So to-day
! make bold to maintain that the greatest benefac-
fuental than any possible President or Senator
fniteiy more 50 in remote futureEwouid be some
historical writer occupying perhaps chair here
and expound as they could be explained and ex-
fundamental principles Of American historical
1t was Macauay who made his boast that, disre-
eo1qng the traditions which G9nStuteq What ne
he would set forth Engands story in so attractive
form that his volumes should displace the last
girl And he did it. It is but the other day that
an American naval officer suddenly appeared in the
field Of historical literature, and by two volumes
sensibly modified the policy of nations. Here
suits should hold, be the ambition Of the Ameri-
can historian Popularity he should court as
tain popularity he must study the art of presenta
amid the original 0 material Of history. BECOMING
of artist, rhetorician and philosopher than
he is, he must be less Of q pedant and color
less investigator. In word, going back to Moses
Thucydides Herodotus. Tacitus, Gibbon, Noltaire
Niebuhr Macaulay, Carlyle. Buckle; Green, Momm-
sen and Froude, he must study their systems, and
avoiding the mistakes into which they fell, thought
fully accommodating himself to the conditions Of
the present, he must prepare to fulfil the mission
before him. He will then in time devise what Is
greatly needed for political life the distinct
lively American historical methods of the future.
OF this have yet had hardly the promise and
that only recently through the pages Of Fiske and
Mahan, and 1 cannot help surEnising that II is to
some Eastern seed planted here in the freer en-
Vironment of the more fruitful West that we must
look for its ultimate realization.
Governor Scofeld spoke on 1.-The State and the
Society" Professor Andrew c. Mclaughlin made
the closing address on THE Teaching of History"