Editorial Paragraphs.
The delay of these numbers and their combination under one cover will be excused by our subscribers when we tell them that it has resulted from the absence of the Secretary from his office and other causes beyond our control. This may happen again, but as we do not issue a newspaper, or Magazine of “serial” stories, we are sure it does not incommode our readers.
Rev. Dr. J. B. Hawthorne, of Richmond, kindly delivered in August, at the Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs, the Rockbridge Alum Springs, Blue Ridge Springs, and the Montgomery White Sulphur, for the benefit of the Society, his famous lecture on “Eloquent Oratory,” which theme was most happily illustrated in the distinguished speaker himself. Hon. J. Randolph Tucker also did us the kindness to deliver, in the same interest, at the Rockbridge Alum, his superb lecture on “Virgnia.” We acknowledge, with thanks, the courtesy of the proprietors of the Springs named, and also of the Alleghany Springs, where we were to have had a lecture. And we especially return thanks to the distinguished gentlemen who favored us with their lectures.
The Virginia Historical Society has been showing of late an enterprise and zeal worthy of all commendation. Their list of members has been rapidly increasing, contributions to their valuable collection are coming in rapidly from every quarter, and Mr. W. W. Corcoran, with characteristic liberality, has purchased for them the famous “Dinwiddie papers.” And we especially congratulate the Society on securing the whole time of their able and accomplished Secretary, Mr. R. A. Brock.
Bethel Classical and Military Academy, of which our accomplished and gallant friend, Major A. G. Smith, is principal, should commend itself not only because it is, in every respect, a first-class school, but because its superintendent and teachers were true Confederate soldiers and our sons who go there will not be made ashamed that their fathers “wore the gray.” --(See advertisement).
The Southern Historical Society--a statement and an appeal.
This Society which was organized in New Orleans, in 1869, and reorganized at the Montgomery White Sulphur Springs in August, 1873, has been doing a most important work in collecting, publishing, and preserving invaluable material for the future historian. Already its collection contains well-nigh everything necessary to a true history of the late war, and much that pertains to the Colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil history of the country, and especially of the South. But the Executive Committee are exceedingly anxious to continue their work on an enlarged scale, and to prosecute yet more vigorously the great objects of the Society. Without the means of purchasing a book, or paying for a manuscript, the [383] Society has obtained by the voluntary contributions of its friends, a collection which has a very large pecuniary value, but which is beyond price in real historic value. The time has come, however, when we must have a larger income to meet the necessary expense of carrying on our work, and the committee have ordered a special effort to be made to raise by the 1st of November at least $2,000, to meet a pressing need, and also a fund for permanent endowment, which shall be safely invested and only the interest used for the annual wants of the Society. We do not propose to make a general appeal to the masses of our people, but have selected a number of gentlemen whom we regard as both able and willing to help us, and to whom we shall send this statement and make a personal application. Our friends can help us in one or more of the following ways:N. B.--The following gentlemen compose the officers and Executive Committee of the Society: President of Parent Society--General J. A. Early, of Virginia; Vice-President--Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia; Secretary and Treasurer--Rev. Dr. J. William Jones, Richmond, Va. Executive Committee--General D. H. Maury, chairman; Colonel Archer Anderson, Major Robt Stiles, Colonel George W. Munford, Colonel William H. Palmer, Colonel R. L. Maury, Captain A. M. Keiley, Rev. Dr. J. L. M. Curry, Rev. Dr. M. D. Hoge, Rev. Dr. A. W. Weddell, Major C. S. Stringfellow, and Rev. Dr. J. William Jones, of Richmond; Colonel Walter H. Taylor and Captain Theo. S. Garnett, of Norfolk; Colonel Thomas H. Carter, of King William county, Va.; Colonel R. E. Withers, of Wytheville; Colonel William Preston Johnston, of Baton Rouge,La.; Colonel R. H. Dulaney, of Loudoun county, Va.; General Eppa Hunton and General William H. Payne, of Warrenton, Va.; and General G. W. C. Lee, of Lexington, Va. [384] Vice-Presidents of States--General I. R. Trimble, Maryland; Governor Z. B. Vance, of North Carolina; General M. C. Butler, of South Carolina; General A H. Colquitt, of Georgia; General E. W. Pettus, of Alabama; Colonel W. Call, of Florida; General Wm. T. Martin, of Mississippi; Rev. B. M. Palmer, D. D., of Louisiana; Colonel T. M. Jack, of Texas; Hon. A. H. Garland, of Arkansas; Governor Isham G. Harris, of Tennessee; General J. S. Marmaduke, of Missouri; General Wm. Preston, of Kentucky; and W. W. Corcoran, Esq., of District of Columbia.
