Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-02-23
FROM OTHER VIEWPOINTS
Problems
Authoritative Writcrs-A Daily Fcatur
VIRGINIA WAR HISTORY COMMISSION


In viewing the world war. every Vir-
gilman must at first have echoed Huck
Firms saying. There orter DO writing
bout big thing like this" But later
the Hood OF war books. perhaps aroused
the fear OF too plentiful an output OF
writings even for 30 big thing as this.
Hence it may be proper TO state in a
few words the real need and the special
What part did Virginia bear In the
war? Is it enough TO say, in the bare
words of recent press notices. that she
contributed 73.062 men. who formed
part OF the National Army. included in
such and such divisions. brigades. reg
imcnts. battalions. companies: Does
more personal and detailed account OF
the spirit and deeds OF the Virginia
men. and does not our local pride de-
mand some permanent and authorita-
tive record OF the contribution of ca ch
Virginia community? AS Moses gavo
the blessing TO the tribes one by one.
each OF our counties and towns tina;
were like Reuben. strong in numbers:
like Judah, sufficient OF their hands.
and Ike Levi. proved at the waters OF
strife" Nor should We fail 10 record
the mistaken Virginia faith that "un-
dcrneath are The everlasting arms,
The plan OF organization OF our army,
makes II imperative that we OF Nir-
Einia preserve our state record. There
should be no fear OF overlooking this
record or OF accommodating too many
details. Until we have the war more
in perspective. no man may say with
authority Just what part Of our chron-
icles will be Of real value Hence in
the words OF Holy Writ we should
cast our net and gather OF every kind.
We are TO gather the good into vessels.
but we should be wary about casting
away anything as bad.
one N'rSinians thinks IL Il good plan
10 collect historical material about "the
heroic part and the work OF the Red
ross. But We can play no favorltes.
n I no
training is AS real history as the story
OF the campaigns: the War Camp Com
inuniiy Service PERHAPS bore as vital a
part IN wartime Virginia as the Red
cross did at home and abroad And
who can say which organization in
war work is most full OF meaning and
and country? These facts that we are
TO collect should cover the whole
held. and we must bring 10 our inspir-
ing task patient Industry and a
Scrupulous honesty. Only thus may we
hope TO give "A plain. unvarnishcd tale
OF ne whole course OF events touching
wartime Virginia.
The plan Of organization. as devcl-
open by the executive committee. rec
ognizes members. associate members,
local members and contributors. The
members Of the commission differ from
the associate members only in the fac,
that the former are those originally.
charged BY IN. Governor with the task
OF preparing the history. so that each
may he held responsible for definite
snare in the great task. The asso-
ciate membcrs arc expected 10 attend
thc meetings OF the commission when
they VIII and TO share in its discus
sions. while each will have his part
IN collating and editing the material
that is brought together by his com
mlttec. The contributors are men and
women invited 10 treat various phase;
and topics assigned by the several
chairmcn. and the commission will well
come their attendance The members
OF local branches are the mon and wo.
men commissioned BY the Governor to
serve as INC agents OF the commission