Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-12-22
DR.. LATHAN's SKETCHES.

During the early part Of next year.
commencing about the first Of January
or pretty soon thereafter, THE EN-
oUIRER will give its readers a rare
treat in the republication Of Rev. Dr.
Robert Lathan's historical sketches Of
the early settlement of South Carolina
and of the Revolutionary war In this
state.
The author Of these sketches, who
died only a few years ago, Is remem-
bered as one of the ablest and most
scholarly historians this state has pro-
duced. AS a matter of fact he was
an ideal historian. He spent years
and years following up old traditions,
delving in musty records and sparing
no pains or labor to secure the great
est possible accuracy in all Of his writ
ings.
The history Of the early settlement
Of South Carolina and Of the reyolu-
tionary campaigns in this state was
the work Of years, of patient, painstak-
ing toll, After the manuscript had
been completed DR.. Latham sent 1t TO
the Harpers with view to selling 1t to
them outright or having 1t published
on the royalty plan. The Harpers
kept this manuscript under considera-
ton for quite while. They were I'M
pressed with its remarkable historical
value; but they were troubled about
the probability Of selling the book be-
cause of the disturbed conditions
which then existed in this state. Their
final decision was embodied In the fol-
lowing: These sketches are very In
teresting and valuable. If they related
to New England we would publish them
on a royalty arrangement with you or
we would buy them Of you almost at
your own figures. But unfortunately
your people do not read, and we doubt
II the sales of the work would be suf-
ficient to pay the expenses Of publica-
tion." After this DR.. Latham offered
the papers to the late Capt. L. M.
Grist and they were published on
Notwithstanding the fact that there
was then much truth in the Judgment
that ours was not reading people,
the sketches excited great deal OF
interest. They were read by THE
ENoUIRER's subscribers, and there was
considerable increase Of the subscrip-
tion list on their account
Various other South Carolina histor-
ians have drawn extensively on DR..
Lathan's work, sometimes giving cred
It; but more often pitching the facts
so laboriously collected by him with
out making the slightest acknowledge
ment Of their source. Draper, In his
Kings Mountain, mentioned DR.. La
than's work two or three times: but
used a great deal Of the doctors mater
ial without any mention Of where 1t
came from. 1t has been 80 with 9TH
ers.
We have reason to know that people
read more now than they formerly did
at least more than they did during
the period Immediately following the
war. Then they were distracted with
the bread and meat question and with
the question Of perpetuating white su-
premacy, and comparatively few Of
them were in a position to properly
appreciate such work as given them
by DR.. Latham.
But whether people read or not, these
papers are of too much interest and
historical value to be allowed to rest
where they are, and having the
facilities to reproduce them, we pro.
pose that they shall again be laid be-
fore the readers Of THE ENQUIRER, to
the end that the magnificent work Of the
author shall not be forgotten and also
to the end that the present generation
may have the opportunity Of learning
more than 1t has ever known about
the early history Of South Carolina.