The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-05
unique. and, therefore, not to be replaced.
Perhaps no one feature of tho astonish-

unique. and therefore, not to be replaced.
Perhaps no one feature Of the astonish-
: Ing development OF our national system
able p than the fsatre Of interlibrary
loans, which Is gradually placing at the
disposal Of the student with proper Gre
dentials a large proportion OF the, entire
s sass 81 81 o9Ss e cS eMnss y aho the aus rms
see the day come when a student IN the
smallest village in Virginia could Sc
brary and the library Of this society.
practically every book of Importance hav-
Ing a bearing on one history, as we'll as
Photographic reproductions of almost
every important document. A beginning
of this good work has already been made.
and It's completion is no Utopian dream.
j have no desire whatsoever 10 dsparage
the Importance of individual research and
publication on the part of the members
of this or any other historical society;
genealogical work which such societies
are wont TO undertake.: I recognize the
usefulness and the, attractiveness of the
studies in colonial history which some OF
them have prosecuted almost TO the total
neglect of other periods of history: but
do not hesitate to say that In my judy
any historical society can do Is to de-
velop and facilitate the use of Its arch
ives and its library. This means that
and publishing and loaning whatsoever
will aid the student OF history to prose-
cute his studies in whatever spot fortune
ulate the writing of history and to de-
yelop a public interest in history than
the elucidatton of a thousand knotty
points by a'thousand acute scientific pa
pers and monographs can possibly do. Let
US have the acute papers and monographs
BY all means: but let us also have strong q
writing OF noble historical books and the
spread OF a love OF history throughout the
masses Of the people; II history Is g
pubic. Wish It and them o ali success a
but l cannot perceive any very solid
sna pan be ae
manded or requested In order that the
scientists may preserve their studies un-
der the best auspices. But IL, as have
but an art: IL it Is a branch OF literature,
and, rs SUCH an important factor In the
culture of the people at large, then 1t
students OF history. writer's OF historical
raaaars osS aad ana
tasks-the task Of preserving the memory
OF the deeds OF our fathers for the en-
couragement and the warning of our
children--to the end that civilization may
be advanced and the ways OF. God be
justified to men. Tho most sublime epic
: III I'LL lllSEtluI0 was Wiillcu aW1lI luI6
lofty purpose-to jt1tify the ways of God
to men-and, whether or not the poet sue
ceeded in his task. there can be but one
of his undertaking. If this same lofty
purpose is kept In view by all who deal
with history. there will be few attempts
ture, and every lover Of his kind viii be
inpelled to bid Godspeed," as now do,
to. you and every society engaged in his
torical labors.
Mr.. Bryan President.
Dr. Trent's able and instructive address
was received with marked attention. and
at its conclusion the distinguished speak
er received an ovation.
Mr.. William G.. Stanard moved a vote
of thanks to DR.. Trent rnlch was unan-
imously carried. Mr. Stanard then re-
quested Colonel McCabe to vacate the
chair. which was taken by Judge David
C. Richardson, while Mr.. Stanard moved
a vote OF thanks to Colonel McCabe. the
retiring president, who, under the consti-
tuition of the society. could not again hold
office.
Mr.. Stanard took occasion to say that
no one who was not In close touch with
the affairs OF the society could appreciate
what Colonel McCabe had done for Its
advancement by his zeal and ability In
replying to the unanimous vote OF thanks.
Colonel McCabe spoke feellngly of his
devotion of the society and Of his appro-
citation of the manner In which he had
been honored.
A volume of reclamation followed his
short but brilliant speech OF thanks. The
following officers We're then elected for
the ensuing twelve months:
President. Joseph Bryan. ESQ. vice
presidents-C Colonel Archer Anderson, Ed
ward v. Valentine, Lyon G. Tyler. Execu-
tive Committee--Messrs. W. Gordon Nc
Cabe. G, V, Meredith, b. B. Munford. Ed
ward w. Jones, Charles w Kent, W.
Meade Clarke, A. c. Gordon, s. g. p. Pat
teson, s. G. Mitchell, ]. F. MCGUIRE, S, Fl. |
Yonge. Corresponding secretary and IL
brarian, w. q. Stanard. ESQ; recording
secretary, Judge DC Richardson; treas
urer Robert u: Brooke, ESQ,