USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > First Annual Report of the Ohio Valley Historical Association comprising the proceedings of the central Ohio Valley History Conference held at Cincinnati, Ohio, Nov. 29 and 30, 1907 > Part 5
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lative reference department responsive to every legitimate need of state officials and members of the general assembly; that it should include a department of archives in which should be systematically arranged and indexed the official and historical literature of the state; that it should have on the shelves of its general department a large and well chosen col- lection of books, magazines and newspapers; that it should be especially strong in state and national document literature and history, including the related branches of biography, travel and sociology.
According to Mr. Dewey's ideal, the state library is necessarily one of the departments, adequate through its various agencies to meet every need of the people of the commonwealth for the informing and uplift- ing influence of recorded knowlede, wisdom and in- spiration. That ideal has not been realized, but in many sections the state library has been lifted to a higher plane of service and efficiency.
The tidings of what has been accomplished in New York, Wisconsin, and other states has gone abroad in the land and the friends of the great library movement that is now fully under way will no longer be satisfied with former conditions. As an evidence of what is now ex- pected of thestate library, and, to be a little more spe- CHAS. B. GALBREATH. cific, of the Ohio State Li- brary, a reference to a bit of personal experience belonging to the recent past may not be out of place.
At the annual meetings of the Ohio Library Association, in October, the State Librarian was frequently called upon to explain what he was doing for the public library interests of the state, and encouraged to use his influence still further to extend the county library system, increase the usefulness of the traveling library department, and aid in securing an appropriation for a state library organizer. About one month ago, in response to a request, he delivered an address before the National Association of Farmers' Institute instructors in Washington, explaining
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what the State Library is doing for the farming communities of the state. One week ago, before our State Board of Commerce, he set forth what he conceives to be the virtues of the legislative reference de- partment, a bill for the creation of which passed the House at the last session of our General Assembly and is now pending in the Senate-a bill in which members of the General Assembly and the legislative com- mittee of the State Board of Commerce are especially interested. Not long ago a writer of history in one of our colleges, in behalf of his associates in the American Historical Association, made a visit to the Governor and the State Librarian to urge the establishment of a depart- ment of archives in connection with the State Library. And last, but by no means least, in order of importance, the State Librarian stands in the presence of the Central Ohio Valley Historical Society to render a brief account of "The Historical Work of the State Library."
Before entering upon that theme, permit me to observe parenthetical- · ly that all of the. varied interests now looking to the State Library for a helping hand are worthy of recognition. It is the purpose of our Board of Commissioners to extend to them every possible assistance.
This association is primarily interested in the historical work of the State Library. Unfortunately the name State Library has been some- what loosely applied. A law library for the special reference use of the State Supreme Court, is not a state library, and of course is not interested in historical work. There may be differences of opinion as to the proper sphere of the state library; but all will agree that it should be a depository for the documents of the general Government, other states, and especially those of its own state. Intimate relations should be established between it and the various state departments, so that their unpublished records may be made readily accessible to the student and investigator. These government documents, published and unpublished, are original sources of history and should be carefully preserved at the State Capital.
On the shelves of the State Library should also be collected the literature relating directly or indirectly to the state: newspaper files and clippings ; state, county, city, village and township histories; books, pam- phlets and other printed material relating to local religious, educational, political and industrial interests; church histories, school histories, ad- dresses, descriptions of industries. resources and natural scenery ; family genealogies, accounts of family reunions; biographical sketches, obitu- aries, diaries ; local events of special interest.
Not only should the State Library be strong in American history and its related branches, but it should have a fair collection of works on English history, and should contain standard histories of other countries.
The State Library, however, may contain all of these works and be only a mausoleum-a sepulcher of treasures preserved for future gener- ations. The collection and preservation of historic material is a most
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important function of the State Library, but its mission does not end with that. This literature is to be systematically arranged, indexed and, under the most liberal regulations consistent with its preservation, made accessible to the people of the state.
In a severe criticism of the Ohio State Library, published in a news- paper of this city and reproduced in the Library Journal of February, 1890, the following is one of the mildest paragraphs :
If a good selection of books had been made-if students in the schools and colleges of Columbus, if the members of the general as- sembly and state officers, if the citizens who need to consult such a library could find what is wanted, it would not be a bad showing. In place of that, however, the library is more deficient in works of that class than any library of equal age and equal expense in America. Those who need to study the politics, history, economics and literature of this continent do not find it there. It is not there on North America; it is not there on the United States; it is not there on the Northwest; it is not there on Ohio. It will never be there under the system now followed.
That statement was not wholly true at the time it was made, but the system was bad and much valuable material that the library con- tained for years was practically inaccessible through an almost utter lack of systematic arrangement. In recent years the library has been very materially strengthened along all the lines named in the quoted para- graph, but the greatest improvement has been in the classification of the material with reference to the use of those who naturally patronize such an institution.
What is known as the modern library spirit should pervade every department of the State Library. It must be administered under the inspiration of those watchwords of modern human endeavor, "useful service". Its treasures, carefully guarded by lock and key, must yield their records to scholars, who are ever to be welcomed to its precincts.
More than this, it is to be a purveyor of historic literature to a large constituency that can not afford to frequent its reference rooms. Notwithstanding Newell Dwight Hillis, in his excuse for distorting our famous Johnny Appleseed, insists that "nothing lies like history", that "there is only one truth-teller-the imagination",-there is a well founded and growing impression that with the husks of modern fiction should be mingled more of the grain of substantial literature. Writers and publish- ers are giving to history a more attractive form. It is the opportunity of the State Library to commend books of this class and through its loan and traveling library departments, to give them a wider circulation. It is encouraging to know that work of this character is already under way and that the small library, the literary club, and the public school are among the beneficiaries.
While we view with satisfaction the larger mission of the modern State Library, there is to the historian something of interest and in- spiration in its antique origin.
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Tiberius Gracchus, the champion of the common people of Rome, so runs the historic record, built on the Aventine Hill the first temple dedicated to liberty, and in it placed the library of the republic. In the forty-six capitols of the commonwealths of the new republic the State Library should stand, not as a depository, not as a memorial, not as a monument, but as a beacon of light to the educational forces of the state. It should be as broad in scope as the field of useful human knowledge, as generous in purpose as our system of popular education, and like the library of that elder day, it should adorn and illuminate our temple of liberty.
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CO-OPERATION IN LOCAL HISTORY WORK.
GEO. S. COTTMAN, Editor, Indiana Quarterly Magasine of History.
After a three-years' experiment at floating a local history maga- zine in Indiana I am of the opinion that methods of co-operation in 'local history work are largely to be determined by the spirit of the people at large. When a people have developed something that can be called a historical consciousness co-operation looking to legislative aid can be hoped for; where no such consciousness exists work along this line is not to be hoped for. What might be feasible in Wisconsin is not feasible in Indiana.
With us there is no definite movement having local history for its object, but there are sundry organized interests that might be made tributary to this one. Those I have in mind may be specified as old settlers' associations, local historical societies, public libraries, and schools. These are named in the order of their importance reversed - that is. the least important first. The old settlers' associations, which, repre- senting a popular interest, have been in the field for more than fifty years, would appear to be the most promising material in sight, but as a matter of fact it is the least promising. The sole aspiration of an "old settler" is to swap well-worn reminiscences with some other old settler, and the idea of a systematic effort to preserve what is of value or to promote an intelligent and coherent interest in the past as something of educational importance will never for a moment appeal to him. About all that can be hoped for here is that the managers of old settlers' meetings might be induced to have their secretaries keep records of their proceedings and addresses and thus out of bushels of chaff save to the seeker an occasional grain of real information.
The local historical societies represent, with us. the feeble begin nings of what may be called a real interest in our history, though the various societies are so sporadic, isolated and evanescent that they can not, collectively, be dignified by the name of a movement. The thing needful is that these small organizations shall be stimulated by being
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put in touch with each other and with a wide range of interests. Just how this might be accomplished is at present hypothetical. Within the past year the Indiana Historical Society (the State Society), with a view to promoting some sort of union and co-operation, has proposed that it as the central society receive communications, literature, reports of work, etc., from the others: it in turn to exchange literature and to publish said reports and other matter of information, using as its official medium the Indiana Magazine of History. The resolution em- bodying this was sent to the various societies but in no instance, I believe, elicited any response, confirming what has been repeatedly proven, that it is quite useless to attempt to stir up through the mails an organization that is little more than a name. The old saying that "what is everybody's business is nobody's business" applies in the fullest to an Indiana local historical society. Co-operation with the local societies might be secured, as it seems to me. through personal visita- tion, say, of the State Archivist, who could seek out the individuals most interested and give them an impetus that should, in turn, be im- parted to the work of the societies. He should represent the State Historical Society as well as the State Library, and with this prestige and a definite plan of action he might accomplish much.
At the public libraries of Indiana, which are becoming so numer- ous, there is, I believe, an increasing demand for information relating to the State, past as well as present, but in spite of this the average librarian and the average purchasing board are not yet educated to a point where they will give local history material an equal show with popular fiction and the pictorial magazines. With, however, the State Library and the State Library Commission entertaining a lively interest in this direction, and in view of their influence in the library field, the possibilities of co-operation and progress are obvious. The two de- partments named. by advising with the minor libraries, and particularly by bringing the local history question before library conventions, can doubtless do much toward forming sentiment on the subject. One form of co-operation that should not be overlooked is that between local libraries and local history societies where the two exist in the same place. Particularly should the library request that the society prepare its papers in a uniform and convenient style as to manuscript. and offer a section of its alcoves for the preservation of such papers.
The home history interest, like some other interests, is a thing of slow growth and really depends not so much on the adult present generation as with the generation that is to follow; hence the most important quarter in which to promote this sentiment is with the young. This should be through the schools. If I am informed aright, the study of civics is coming more and more into prominence in the curri- cula, and a recognition of the direct and practical value of local history in a study of the social present should have its due place there. It has been amply demonstrated by individual teachers and county superin-
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tendents who have experimented in this field that pupils take up this particular phase of history study with avidity as something nearer and more comprehensible than the themes of general history. More than that, it lends itself admirably to composition work and it affords a special training of value that general history study does not supply, namely, research work in source material, whereby the pupil comes by something like a true idea as to the character and the values of history. From the intimate relation between the schools and the libraries it follows that the growth of an interest and the demand for material on the part of the former is accompanied by a corresponding interest and effort on the part of the latter, and the school is one of the avenues through which to reach the libraries. Of course the way to reach the schools is through the school authorities and the teachers, particularly that part of the teaching force that makes a specialty of history work. Unfortunately the prospects for co-operation here are not especially encouraging on account of that besetting disease of the pedagogue which, from time immemorial has given an undesirable flavor to the name. Repeated attendance at the meetings of history teachers has convinced the present writer that so humble and homely a topic as local history will stand small chance in the company of sounding and imposing themes that love to revel in the immensities of history and to deal with vasty things, such as historic foundations, etc. Still, there is a chance for the entering wedge here. The past two years the Indiana Historical Society has, by invitation. participated in the annual program of the History Section of the State Teachers' Association of Indiana, and a little intelligent pushing of the legitimate claims of local history as a school study might be very fruitful. One phase of work in the educa- tional field should not be overlooked. In some of the Indiana colleges, notably Indiana University, thesis work in local history is being done. This should receive recognition beyond the college walls. The subjects should at least be listed by the State Archivist, and if the students were encouraged to do research work in the respective localities they hail from, it might be the means of unearthing considerable material of value that will otherwise not be got at.
From the above group of interests I have omitted the various patriotic organizations, such as the Revolutionary and Colonial societies which, despite the personal element involved in them, stand in a way for the history idea, and which takes the form of local pride. Of all organizations in the field these, perhaps, will respond most readily to overtures from those who are promoting the local history interest.
The above suggests, roughly, the possibilities of co-operation as based upon present conditions in Indiana, and according to the observa- tions of the writer. One thing is tolerably obvious and sure - there will be little co-operation until there is some one or some organiza- tion to take the initiative and proceed to draw together the various potential factors that are now dormant or aimless.
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PIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
THE GREENVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. FRAZER E. WILSON, Secretary.
Thinking that you might desire a report from our Historical So- ciety to be used at your conference on the 29th and 30th, I have pre- pared a brief statement setting forth the nature of our organization, its objects, and the principal work accomplished in the five years (nearly) of its existence. In addition to the statements therein made I wish to add that we have no active Hereditary Patriotic Society or similar organization here but have been fairly successful in securing the co- operation of the I. O. R. M. (Red Men), G. A. R., and local militia. The local daily newspapers have helped to give our work the desired publicity and we seem gradually to have increased in prestige on account of the visible results of our persistent labors. No doubt the study of local history in the schools has been stimulated by our enterprise and the public generally better instructed on account of it. We have given but one lecture on local history, which was beneficial mostly to the pupils of the schools who comprised the larger part of the audience. We have not tried fairs, entertainments, or other means of raising money but have depended upon our yearly dues of $1.00 per member and special subscriptions for special large objects.
The public museum here is located in the basement of the Carnegie Library. It is under the control of the Board of Education which appoints a board of Curators to arrange, secure, and care for the objects of interest loaned or donated from time to time. Three fine rooms about 35 feet square each, well lighted, heated, and ventilated, are at the disposal of the curators, and some thirty exhibition cases are filled with local relics, historical objects, pioneer implements, coins, documents, curios, etc. The rooms are under the immediate charge of the janitor of the Library and are open every afternoon, except Sunday, from one to five o'clock P. M. The Historical Society supplements the work of the Curators and has rendered material assistance as shown in the enclosed statement.
Thus far we are pleased and encouraged by our success but realize that new work must be planned and carried out, and enthusi- astic leaders kept in the saddle, if the Society is to justify its con- tinued existence. We count on a faithful few to keep the torch trimmed and burning and expect the other members to keep up their dues and strengthen the financial department. If you desire any further informa- tion from our little organization please be at liberty to ask questions at any time. Hoping that the conference will be a decided success and act as a stimulant on the various societies represented, and regretting that we have no prospect of sending a delegate, I am ..
Cordially yours,
FRAZER E. WILSON,
Secretary.
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THE GREENVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Organized January 23. 1903, with seven charter members.
OBJECTS OF ORGANIZATION.
1. To further the study of local history.
(a) By the preparation, publication and preservation of papers on historical subjects, especial preference being given to local history.
(b) By encouraging the acquisition by the Public Library of a complete list of works relating to history.
2. To secure a fitting memorial within on the site of Fort Greene- Ville commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Greeneville.
3. To co-operate with the Curators of the Public Museum in collecting, preserving, and exhibiting articles of historical interest.
4. To acquire, mark and preserve local historical landmarks.
MEMBERSHIP.
1. Active - Residents of the county who desire to promote the objects of the society are eligible and will be enrolled upon the payment of the annual dues of $1.00. They are entitled to vote and hold office.
2. The payment of $10.00 at one time, the contribution of objects to the museum of an estimated value of $25.00, 'or the continued pay- ment of dues for 15 consecutive years constitutes a person a Life Member without further payments.
3. Honorary - Persons noted for scientific or literary attainments, cr those who have done distinguished service in promoting the enter- prises of the Society.
Meetings. First Friday evening of alternate months beginning. with January. Special meetings at call of President.
Officers. President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Trustees and any others that may be found necessary to promote the interests of the Society.
This local society has been in existence about five years, has now about sixty member's, most of whom are on the active list, and has accomplished the following :
1. Marked the grave of one Revolutionary soklier.
2. Caused three fine portraits of historic persons to be painted and important documents to be properly framed and hung in the museum.
3. Secured several valuable single objects and two entire collec- tions for the museum, one of the latter comprising over six exhibition cases (3 × 8 feet in size) filled with choice curios and valuable objects of decided historical worth, from the Philippine Islands and Japan.
4. Had several interesting papers prepared dealing mostly with matters of local interest.
5. Caused a fine bronze tablet commemorating the Treaty of
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. Greenville to be attached to an immense boulder and unveiled with appropriate ceremonies at an expense of about $165.00 (secured largely by subscription.)
6. Erected a twenty foot monument of broken boulders and con- crete with appropriate bronze tablet on the site of old Fort Jefferson .at an expense of about $175.00 (secured partly by subscription).
PRESENT OFFICERS.
Geo. A. Katzenberger, President. Frazer E. Wilson, Secretary. William I. Schwartz, Treasurer.
THE AUTOCRAT OF INDIANA.
HON. WILLIAM DUDLEY FOULKE.
Every country and every community that has become historic has had its epic period and its epic hero; Achilles in Greece, David in Israel, Tell and Winkelried in Little Switzerland, William of Orange in the Netherlands, Peter the Great in Russia, Gustavus Adolphus in Sweden, Washington in America. The Central Ohio . Valley too has had its cpic period amid the terrible struggle of the Civil War, and it has had its epic hero, not a mere warrior like Achilles; but a statesman like William of Orange and Washington. The name of that statesman was Oliver P. Morton, and he was the war Governor of Indiana. He was greater than the other war governors of the time because he had a greater task and more tremendous obstacles to overcome. If it be true that the great crisis brings out the great man, it was never more true than in the case of Morton. I have called him the Autocrat of Indiana and so he was. We think little of that autocracy which is based upon the so-called "divine right" that gives to one man mere physical and legal domain over his fellows. But none of us can fail to recognize that higher kind of autocracy which genius gives, that commanding authority be- stowed by a far diviner right, which gives to a great man the power to influence and control the destinies of all mankind. Let us trace for a few moments his career.
Sprung from sturdy English ancestry, he first saw the light in the little town of Salisbury, the former county seat of Wayne County, a place which has now wholly disappeared. He was brought up amid the rough surroundings of a country which had just passed its pioneer stage. In his early life he was put to the hatter's trade, but he was dissatis- tied with the limitations of this calling and as soon as he could escape from it, he determined to acquire at least the elements of a liberal edu- cation. This he did in the course of two years' study in the little college at Oxford, Ohio. Returning to Indiana, he married and applied himself
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