The President's Corner (2005)

Historically Speaking January/February 2005 The President's Corner Franklin W. Knight Let me begin my first official message to my colleagues by admitting candidly that being elected president of the Historical Society constitutes for me both a signal honor and an intimidating challenge . The honor derives from the rewarding experience ofparticipatingwith a varied and dynamic group of scholars, along with the humbling confidence that many of these, either misguided or simply malicious, have faith in my ability to lead this august group over the next two years. I joined the Society because I share its fundamental belief in open intellectual dialogue largely devoid of hollow posturing and vapid ideological grandstanding. The Historical Society has always subordinated conventional hierarchies and disciplinary categories in its unyielding quest for intellectual integrity. At the first general meeting in Boston in 1999, our esteemed president, Eugene Genovese, boldly encouraged members ofthe Society to "refuse to impose a particular ideology, or to privilege trivial work over significant work under the guise of righting old wrongs." And he certainly connected fully with his audience (as I recall) when he continued , "In women's history, Afro-American history, and no few other subjects, we distinguish the significant issues from the spurious , distinguish world-historical developments from the parochial, and, above all, distinguish interpretations based on conscientious research from ideological pronouncements based on 'theories' that turn out to be little more than opinions." That magnificent Patton-like exhortation motivated the entire audience to greater endeavors . It certainly moved me greatly. I have, over the years, enjoyed the biennial meetings for their uninhibited approach to serious discussions and spontaneous camaraderie . That more than justified mymodest subscription and zealous participation. I harbored no great ambition to rise above the anonymity of the Lake Woebegone-like majority. Moreover, everyone knows that "heavy is the head thatwears a crown." I had led other organizations of scholars before and the experience was always sobering. But having been called to service, like a superannuated plough horse, there is no other recourse but to reconcile experience and ability and execute the duties required. Anything less would be unacceptable. The mtimidating nature ofthe challenge ofthis office is self-evident. First, it is invariably difficult to followin the wake ofgiants. The Historical Society has been extremely fortunate to have had a succession ofintellectual giants as presidents—Eugene D. Genovese , George Huppert, and Peter Coclanis —and each has made a tremendous contribution to the development ofthe Society as well as the formal discipline. They were all bold, imaginative, energetic, and creative leaders who accomplished a great deal in a very short time. Despite the lofty sentiment of the American Declaration of Independence, all men are notcreated equal. Nor will social, political, and biological engineering result in a common equality. Napoleon Bonaparte made France great, politically as well as territorially. He was followed (not directly) byNapoleon ?? whose political and military careers constituted a succession of unmitigated disasters for France. This led the perceptive François Guizot to scoff, "Because we have a Napoleon the Great must we now have a Napoleon the Little?" I will work hard to avoid a comparable observation. We all do the best that we can within the limits of our varied abilities and the unpredictable circumstances of our tenure. The important requirement in any position ofresponsibility is to be the best that one can be. I pledge to do that in my capacity as your president. Good intentions, however, will not eliminate the inescapable problems ofanyorganization . No association, however large and financially secure, can afford to rest on its laurels and become prematurelycomplacent about the future. The Historical Society is neither rich nor large. It has undoubtedly January/February 2005 · Historically Speaking accomplished much in its few years of existence , andwe canjustifiablycongratulate ourselves and take pride in these magnificent achievements. The Society has rapidly congregated an impressive number of enthusiastic , internationally distributed members and a small, devoted, miracle-working staff. It has created a highly respectable, wellreceived journal that is exciting to read, reflecting both the consistent quality of the submissions and the exemplary, exactingprofessionalism ofElizabeth Fox-Genovese. Historically Speaking, the Society's bulletin, skillfully edited byJoseph Lucas and Donald Yerxa, stands without peer...