The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-05
DR.. Trent Speaks.

gave sample definitions of history and
showed how faulty they We're, but con-
cluded that history and literature We're
terms thoroughly understood, even though
they could not be defined. He then dis
cussed the rather contemptuoiis attitude
taken by modern scientific historians to-
ward their more artistic predecessors,
and contended that there was no reason
for such injustice; that history had al
ways been branch of literature, and
that it was only as such that 1t could
be most effective by reaching the largest
possible public.
In summing UP DR.. Trent said:
But what, in conclusion going back to
our main theme, can you, as historical
society find value In the conception of
history, as In its best estate branch
of literature upon which l have insisted
throughout this discussion? 1t seems to
me that If you accept this conception
fully, several advantageous consequences
ought to follow.
AS society in its corporate capacity
cannot produce living book, a true piece
literature. you will regard yourself as
primarily in scientific historical research
and in publishing the results OF such re-
search-that Is to say as engaged In an
cillary labor rather than in what may be
tremed the master work of construction.
This Is not to say that as individual you
may not or should not have the hope
and the intention OF contributing chap
ter or volume to the history of our
native State which readers beyond Vir-
ginia confines may be glad to please. 1t
only means that as society. your chief
function is TO encourage research,,t to col-
lect documents and other materials illus
trating Virginia history. to publish such
documents as we'll as papers and books
embodying the work or research and to
foster In every way public interest In local
historical studies. But as a society you
hi Ntta
tic or the philosophical sense of the term
and this not being your function. 1t fol-
laws that you can ind no real Justification
for limiting. hamperlng. on IN any way
endeavoring to shape the work OF these
students who devote themselves to the
production OF artistic or phiosophic his
tory. 1t is not, to conceive, your func lon
to shy that you will collect materials that
throw light on one phrase OF our past.
but will consign to oblivion materials that
bring into relief manners custom or
institutions with which you do not syInpa-
#thize and the existence or which you
would Willingly forget. Your purpose Is
to finish materials which shall assist In
the determination Of historical truth, so
far as there is such a thing as historical
TRUTH This means that yol ar way is scien-
stifc In character and that your standards
and methods wilether of collection. or
or q shpd be
torlan selects or rejects In the compost
ton of his native or treatise Is a mat
for that concerns you mainly or
entirely in your lndiyidaul capacity
give him a free, hand because to
limit creative art or philosophical thought
Is neither more nor less than to impede
civilization: It Is to- take us q step back.
ward toward the Dark Ages. You will
limit art and thought IL you fall to fur
nish them with the most ample materials
them il you attempt In the least to pre-
scribe the manner IN which they shall
Your position Is, l.repent, an anci'lary
ono with regard both to writer's and
thinkers on historical matters, and to the
general public. The public has always
its information to artists and thinkers,
rather than to Investigators or collectors
who write. or students or teachers who
are not endowed with special literary
gifts, The artists and thinkers must be
Investigators and students themselves, or
else must rely upon the work OF tho lat
ter. who thus stand Int one. remove from
the public. but are none the less public
tbenefactors.
C111,,+;,,rc pora PNol,e