El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-12-26

HE twenty-siXth annual conven-
ton of the American Historical
association will be opened tomor-
row in Indianapolis, with large at
tendance, including delegates and mem
bers from every state in the union.
From the small beginning of 40 schol-
arly men, interested in the study Of his
tory, who effected the organization at
the first meeting held at Saratoga in
1884, the association has increased to
a membership of almost 5000, represent
ing men and women in every walk OF
life and its influence IS felt even in
the most remote villages Of the country.
The objects Of the association are
threefold: To crea'e an awakening to
the importance of the Study Of history
in the intellectual development Of our
country; to accumulate. by means of
active research, additional material
with which to enrich the historical re-
sources of tn ecountry; and to stimu-
late the patriotism and national pride
Of the present generation by collected
evidence of all that has been accom-
plished by the United States in its COM
paratively brief existence as a nation
Its Importance Recognized.
The Importance of the work of the
American Historical association has
been recognized by the national gov
eminent, which incorporated it by spe-
cial act of congress and made provis-
ion for the publication of its docu-
ments as an auxiliary to the work of
the Smithsonian Institution Endow-
ments and life memberships. have n
creased its revenues so that the asso-
citation now has, assets approaching
$4,000 and an annual income approx
mating $4,000. besides an annual con-
gressional appropriation. of $1,000 plac-
ed to its credit at the government print
ing office. This. last is. of course es-
sential to the proper arrangement and
circulation of the material accumulated.
The first object of the association. the
awakening of the public to the import
ance Of the study Of history, especially
in the secondary schools. has been ac-
complished to a large degree. The
chair of history is no longer considered
of least Importance in the college or
high school equipment 1t has become
recognized as being essential to the
rational progress of study upon all 9TH
er subjects. Therefore, much attention
has been given to the equipment of
teachers who become specialists in his
tory instead Of teaching this subject in
conjunction with other branches as in
former years.
One Of the earlier efforts of the
the publication of a report, prepared by
committee of seven distinguished
educators, upon the best methods of
teaching history in the secondary
schools. This report inaugurated
great advance in interest upon this
subject, which the association is con-
tinually furthering.
Many Teachers Associations.
History teachers associations now
exist in almost every large city and
history teachers magazines, devoted
exclusively to the work of teaching
this one subject, receive hearty support.
History teachers organizations. in ad-
dition TO their direct purpose also have
aided in increasing historical knowl-
edge by awakening local interest in the
historical events OF the various places
in which they live.
In the accumulation and publication
Of new historic material the American
Historical association acts as a deposit
tory and distributor of the material Sc
cured by many affiliated organiza-
tons throughout the country. Much of
the later research is being accomplish
ed by organizations now existing in
the various states. The result of this
labor is cared for by the American His