EDITORIAL NOTES.
The purposes which this publication is intended to subserve are the promotion of historical studies in general and an increased familiarity with the history of the western portion of this country in particular. The field is a broad and inviting one. The early annals of every locality possess a peculiar charm for its own people, while they furnish something of interest to the people of every other locality. The conductors of this Magazine invite the aid and co-operation of every person interested in the development and preservation of local history, and shall rely in a special manner upon the friendly offices of Historical and Pioneer Societies. These organizations accomplish great good in the work they are carrying forward from year to year, and they should increase in number until every county, or section of the country, shall have a Pioneer Society. The publishers of this monthly now have in course of preparation by an able and well informed writer, the history of Ohio, which will be published serially in the numbers of this Magazine, to be followed by the history of other States. A department will be devoted to local history, in which county and town annals, and sketches of pioneer settlers and of representative men and women will have chief place. The contributions of students of history, who have something to say of interest to the general reader, will be welcomed to the pages of this publication. We have received already the proffer of papers by able and experienced writers, and hope to make the Magazine of indispensable value to a large number of readers. To furnish essays on historical subjects by writers of experience and ability; to provide a history of each of the great Western States that have not already satisfactory State histories; to afford a medium for the publication of the proceedings of Historical and Pioneer Societies, and to publish such other information regarding these and similar organizations as will enable them to become better acquainted with one another; to give sketches of the lives of early settlers, and of others who have largely aided in the development of the material interests, or in promoting the advancement, in other respects, of the community in which they dwell; to add to the interest of the printed text by the help of engravings where they can be employed to advantage, and especially to employ the services of art in portrait illustration; and to use skill and taste on the part of the printer in giving a neat appearance to the Magazine—these are the chief features of the programme which we have formed for the work we have undertaken. We do not lightly esteem the labor, or overlook the difficulties which lie before us. We expect the Magazine will have friends if by its excellenceit merits them. It has a field of its own, differing from that occupied by any other publication, and its success will be sure and enduring if it achieves it by deserving well of its patrons and readers.
The American Historical Association held its first annual meeting at Saratoga, September 9, under the friendly auspices of the Social Science Association. The importance of this movement, whose object is the promotion of historical studies throughout the country, cannot be overestimated. No society of like aim, national in character, seeking to create an interest in the study of American history in every section of the country, has ever existed. The nearest approach to it was the “American Historical Society” organized in 1836, at Washington, D. C., with John Quincy Adams as President. Its membership, however, was made up from residents of Washington, Congressmen, and a few persons outside of the Capital who however, were only honorary members. The meetings were of irregular occurrence and were held in the House of Representatives. The active spirit of this old Historical Society was Peter Force, whose work in the publication of rare collections of early colonial history was of incalculable value to the Nation, and to whom the country is likewise indebted for the collection of the “American Archives.” This society was, however, only local in character, and had only such purposes in view as were of easy attainment at the National Capital. On the other hand, the new organization, having no one place for its habitation, is a national association of students of history, who may come from any section of this and other lands. Historical specialists and active workers everywhere, whether from academic centres or State and county historical societies, if approved by the committee, will be welcomed. The annual membership fee is $3.00, the life membership $25. Forty-one active members were enrolled at Saratoga, and the Executive Council has selected 120 more persons, students of history, resident in various sections of the country, to whom invitations to become active members are to be extended. A constitution was adopted and the following distinguished persons selected as officers: President, Andrew D. White, President of Cornell College; two Vice-Presidents, Professor Justin Winsor, of Harvard and Professor Charles Kendall Adams, of the University of Michigan; Secretary, Dr. Herbert B. Adams of John Hopkin’s University, Baltimore; Treasurer, Clarence Winthrop Bowen of the New YorkIndependent, New York City. These gentlemen, with three associates—Mr. William B. Weeden of Providence, Professor Emerton of Harvard College, and Professor Moses Coit Tyler of Cornell University—form the Executive Council, which is empowered to pass judgment upon all nominations which may be made through the secretary, and which has charge also of the general interests of the Association. President White delivered an admirable address on “Synthetic Studies in History,” and several other important papers were read—all of which, together with a record of the proceedings, will soon be published in pamphlet form.
Hon. Harvey Rice, who has attained the ripe old age of 84 years, celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of his arrival in Cleveland on the 24th day of last September. Nearly two hundred persons, acquaintances and friends, assembled at his residence, 427 Woodland Ave., Cleveland, to pay him their respects—a very fitting tribute to one to whom not alone the citizens of the Forest City, but also the people of Ohio, and in a certain sense of the whole country are very largely indebted for valuable services. For his able efforts in behalf of the improved management of common schools he has for many years been appropriately called the father of the Ohio system of common school instruction, which has been largely imitated by other States. Mr. Rice is the author of several books, some of which have had a very good circulation. He is a graceful writer of poetry as well as of prose.
No other branch of knowledge is so neglected as that of history. Many who are familiar with mathematics, philosophy, the sciences, and the languages are almost totally without historical knowledge. Many who do give it attention too often study it inadequately, considering it a dry statement of facts, events and dates. History, when rightly studied, affords information of the greatest profit and rarest interest. It unfolds to our understanding not merely the chief events of the past, but the purposes, the efforts and achievements of the great minds of each age in the actual drama of life, and gives us many pleasant glimpses into the world of thought, purpose and feeling of another time.
In importance and value history is excelled by no other story. It does not possess an equal interest for every student, for the very evident reason that every student of history does not evince for it the same degree of fidelity and love. But to every disciple it brings a reward. It widens the horizon of his thought, solves for him many an intricate problem in the affairs of life, acquaints him with the events of the human race, brings him in contact with the greatest minds and loftiest spirits of every age, and enables him to gain a better understanding of the fellow-beings with whom he mingles.
The earliest Historical Society in this country, we believe, is the American Philosophical Society, of Philadelphia, organized in 1743. If any reader knows of an earlier historical organization we shall be obliged for the information. In fact, we would like a complete list of all the historical societies in the country. Who can furnish it?