The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-10-24
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
State Literary and Historical
Association Organized.
An Organization Formed for the Collection,
Preservation and Dissemination Of State
Literature and History.

Preservation and Dissemination Of State
Literature and History.
Some weeks ago meeting took
place in this city of persons interested
in the preservation of North Carolina s
historical records and the stimulating
of her literary growth. At this meet
ing it was resolved to formulate a
plan of organization for State Liter
airy and Historical Association. and a
committee was appointed to draw up
a constitution and bylaws, and also
10 issue a call for a general meeting
10 erect permanent organization. Last
night this general meeting took place
IN the music hall of the Olivia Raney
Library and permanent organiza-
ton was effected and officers elected.
Judge Walter Clark presided, and the
opening prayer was made by Rev. DIR.
w. L. McCorkle, of Graham, in the alb
sence of DR.. A. A. Marshall. Mr.. w. j.
Peele then read the plan of organiZa-
ton, which was adopted by the meet
ing, which was then most charmingly
entertained by vocal solo by Miss
Mamie Cowper.
DR.. j. S. Bassett, of Trinity College,
Durham, read very interesting paper
on How to Collect and Preserve Ma
terial for Local and State History" He
said that the first thing necessary in
order to properly record history was a
just view of true history. Most writ
ers of history ae historical pleaders of
causes, and not merely cold recorders
of facts. Thucydides could describe the
putting to death of 10000 people with
out calling it a horrible butchery. AS
long as history is the production of
some mans preconceived notions, there
will be no need of keeping records.
When history becomes the recording
of facts and date, then will be felt the
absolute necessity of storing and keep
ing those records. We must have a
State archivist and a fire-proof build
ing for the storing of the archives, as
we'll as a law to compel officials to
store their records. Another thing
much needed, said the speaker, was a
popular demand for an educational
ideal that would train students to the
proper appreciation of true history.
At the conclusion of this paper, a
violin solo by Miss Mary Johnson, de-
lighted the audience. Maj. E. j. Hale,
OF Fayetteville, followed with some
very happy remarks on practical
Plans for Publishing What We Pro-
duce" He said that the whole matter
OF the production of books was one OF
money. The lack of money drove men
to write, and it took money to print
what was written. In explaining the
comparative lack of literature in the
South before the Civil war, he cited the
fact that most of England's greatest
writer's were of the middle class, the
class that produced most of New Eng
lands most brilliant authors. The
speakers suggestion was that conn
1nittee be appointed to memorIallZe the
Legislature for yearly sum sufficient
to publish what works the committee
NAV select as being worthy OF publ
cation. and when the sale of these pub
LEGATIONS shall rave recouped the out
Law, the author to receive the benent
of the remainder.
Prof. b. f. Sledd, of Wake Forest,
was the next speaker, on "How We May
Stimulate the Production of Literature
in North Carolina" His remarks on
the laws of literature in general, and
ON such works as Richard Carvel and
Janice Meredith in particular, were
very caustic, and created much laugh
ter. Why, he asked, has North caro-
lima no place in the South's great lit
erary awakening? 1t is certainly not
from any natural cause, but possibly
from the political changes
that have been constantly keeping the
State in a turmoil. He said we must
put on a relentless and determined
front for better schools.
At this point Miss Minnie Fitch
Tucker rendered most delightful Vo-
cal solo, which was warmly appre-
ciated.
The following officers of the perma-
nent organization were elected:
Judge Walter Clark, president.
Miss Adelaide Fries, of Salem, hrst
vice-president.
Mai. E. J. Hale, second vice-presi-
dent.
Prof. f. p Moses, of Washington
third vice-president.
Prof. d. II. Hill, secretary and treas
1lrer.
Mr.. A. j. Field, corresponding sec
rotary. ~.
Those present desiring to join the
association were requested to write
their names ON slips of paper PROVIDED
and a. large number expressed their ue'
Sira To become members.
Miss Mitchell and Mrs. Hamilton
then sang the Old North State, and the
audience joined in the chorus