It would be interesting and instructive to review the evolution of the principles on which our present social condition is founded, and the names which have become famous in its advancement; but that cannot be attempted. Four centuries ago the spirit of adventure moved upon the face of Western Europe; the invention of the mariner's compass, and the art of printing, with the establishment of many new universities and schools of learning, tended to divert the minds of men from the field of war towards possible achievements in the pursuits of peace. Long had the imaginations of the adventurous spirits of Portugal and Spain been fired with the desire to explore the Sea of Darkness. With Christopher Columbus it became a religious enthusiasm. For years he thought of it by day and dreamed of it by night. He was the man of his time; for he brought to a triumphant issue the idea destined to be brought out in that age. Had he failed to do so, some other would have soon appeared to accomplish the great achievement. I need not in this audience say a word as to the wonderful boon to humanity the discovery of this continent has been. The millions flocking from the old world to our shores recall the graphic language of the Hebrew prophet," Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, and the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls and their kings shall minister unto thee." As I have said before, each age and each country has its special problems to solve; and this age and country have theirs. That leader and that party which fail to keep abreast of the times must certainly be left behind. If the idea laboring into existence at the present time is the promotion of intercourse between the nations of earth and the unifying of its peoples; if this great object is being advanced by the tunneling the mountains, bridging the rivers, digging great canals between the oceans, laying electric wires in the dark depths of the sea, providing wonderful expositions under one roof of the industries of every people, nation, kindred and tongue; if such as these be, at the present moment, the grand ambition of religion, commerce and science, that party and that leader, in whatever country they are or by whatever name they may be called, who stand in its way must eventually go down. We are taught at college that Francis Bacon gave the name of" idols " to certain causes which retard the progress of truth. Among them are the "idols of the market place," that is, those prejudices which men, communicate to each other. I think, however, the idols of the market place may well include the influence which men's material interests have in preventing them from seeing the truth. When Paul preached Christianity on Ephesus he was attacked by a mob of silversmiths who cried out, "Our craft is in danger!" In more recent times it is not unusual to find the adoption of broad, wholesome, and enlightened views which have the approval of almost the whole educated world, opposed by men whose cry still is, “Our craft is in danger!” “Our business will be damaged!" The impulse to improvement is irresistible and can be kept back but for a time. It may be asked, will our civilization pass away like those of Greece and Rome? It is very improbable, unless through some great physical calamity transcending the power of man to prevent. I believe the art of printing has not only made knowledge omnipresent on the earth, but has also made it imperishable. Civilization may pause in its progress for a time, but it can never die; it may appear even to retrograde for a time, but it will soon resume its march towards higher and nobler achievements. NEW MEMBERS. The chair appointed Messrs. Burdick, Steensland, Jones, Stuart, and Hutchinson a committee on the nomination of new members, and on the recommendation of this com mittee the following were elected: Active Members - Charles Kendall Adams, LL. D.; Mrs. John Favill; David Kinley, A. B.; Richard T. Ely, Ph. D.; Lyman P. Powell, A. B.; William A. Scott, Ph. D.; Hon. A. R. Bushnell; and E. F. Riley, of Madison. Robert Coit Chapin, of Beloit. Corresponding Members - Capt. George A. Gordon, Somerville, Mass.; A. A. Robinson, Topeka, Kans.; and Paul O. Stensland, Chicago. OFFICERS ELECTED. Messrs. Van Slyke, Butler, Morris, Carpenter, and Thwaites were appointed a committee on the nomination of officers, and reported in favor of the following, who were duly elected: Vice-presidents-Hon. Harlow S. Orton, LL. D., Madison; Hon. James T. Lewis, LL. D., Columbus; Hon. James Sutherland, Janesville; Hon. Chauncey C. Britt, Portage; Hon. Simeon Mills, Madison; Hon. John F. Potter, East Troy; Hon. Samuel Marshall, Milwaukee; Hon. John T. Kingston, Necedah; Hon. Moses M. Strong, Mineral Point; Hon. Charles L. Colby, Milwaukee; Hon. J. J. Guppey, Portage; Hon. Philetus Sawyer, Oshkosh; Hon. David E. Welch, Baraboo; Prof. James D. Butler LL. D., Madison; Hon. Gysbert Van Steenwyck, La Crosse; Hon. John E. Thomas, Sheboygan Falls. Honorary Vice-presidents — Frederic L. Billon, Missouri; Robert Clarke, Ohio; William H. Wyman, Nebraska; Charles Fairchild, Massa chusetts; Col. Stephen V. Shipman, Illinois; Hon. Amasa Cobb, Nebraska; Col. Reuben T. Durrett, Kentucky; Samuel H. Hunt, New Jersey; Simon Gratz, Pennsylvania; Francis Parkman, LL. D., Massachusetts; Rt. Rev. William Stevens Perry, D. D., LL. D., Iowa. Corresponding Secretary - Reuben G. Thwaites. Recording Secretary - Elisha Burdick. Librarian Isaac S. Bradley. Curators for the term expiring at the annual meeting in 1895- Gen. Lucius Fairchild, Jairus H. Carpenter, LL. D., Hon. Breese J. Stevens, Maj. Frank W. Oakley, William A. P. Morris, Wayne Ramsay, Alexander H. Main, Maj. Charles G. Mayers, Hon. M. Ransom Doyon, Prof. Wm. H. Rosenstengel, Frederick J. Turner, Ph. D., Prof. Albert O. Wright. Curator for the term expiring at the annual meeting in 1893, in the place of Thomas C. Chamberlin, LL. D., removed from the stateCharles Kendall Adams, LL. D. FINANCIAL REPORTS. Chairman Van Slyke, from the committee on finance (Messrs. Van Slyke, Doyon, Morris, and Ramsay) presented the report of his committee, approving the annual report of Treasurer Proudfit, both of which reports were duly adopted. [See Appendix - A. and B.] Mr. Morris, from the auditing committee (Messrs. Hastings, Morris, Carpenter, Mayers, Ramsay, and Turner) reported that said committee had examined and approved the report of Corresponding Secretary Thwaites, of expenditures from the general fund for the year ending November 30, 1892, the vouchers therefor having been deposited with the governor according to law. The committee also reported having favorably passed upon the report of expenditures from the income of the binding fund during 1892, presented to them by Mr. Thwaites as chairman of the library committee; also, having examined and approved of his management of the Draper Durrie portrait fund. The several reports were adopted. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Corresponding Secretary Thwaites, in behalf of the executive committee, presented its annual report, which was adopted. [See Appendix - C.] BIOGRAPHIES OF WAR VETERANS. The following communication was presented: MILWAUKEE, WIS., Dec. 5, 1892. To the Officers and Members of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin: At the last encampment of the G. A. R., Department of Wisconsin, at Madison, in March, 1892, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the department commander, whose duty it shall be to ascertain what further steps, if any, should be taken to collect and preserve the personal war, civil and family history of the members of the G. A. R. and others who served in the war for the union. Resolved, That the said committee be and are hereby instructed to confer on this subject with the State Historical Society and kindred or ganizations, with the posts, state and national officials of the G. A. R., Woman's Relief Corps, and Sons of Veterans, and report at the next encampment. In pursuance of the foregoing resolutions, Department Commander Welton appointed the following named comrades as the committee: Robert C. Spencer, Milwaukee; Lucius Fairchild, Madison; Michael P. Walsh, Milwaukee. The committee are of the opinion that, among the union soldiers now residing in Wisconsin, and those who are deceased, is a very large and important field of biographical history which has scarcely been touched, and that the time is ripe for its cultivation. They believe that our state offers no equally interesting and profitable field of historical research, and that early steps should be taken to collect and preserve the history of the brave men who fought the battles for the preservation of the union. The committee propose that this work shall be undertaken and carried on jointly by the State Historical Society, the public schools, the G. A. R., the Woman's Relief Corps, and the Sons of Veterans, aided and encouraged by appropriate legislation. It is believed that the lives of these men, if properly written, would not only lay the foundation for family history, which will be honorable and inspiring, but that it will be highly instructive as showing the origin, character, and conditions of the citizen soldiery, who in the time of greatest peril sprang to arms, and when victory was achieved at once resumed their accustomed peaceful pursuits. The committee believe that the whole machinery of the public school system can be employed in the prosecution of this work, with vast benefits to the youth of the state, to the educational system, and to the community and posterity. They believe that much of this material can be conveniently gathered in the preparation of work to be exhibited at the World's Columbian Exposition, and that it will be not only highly improving but especially appropriate for that purpose. They believe that, when collected, it should be suitably bound, indexed and preserved by the State Historical Society, and that it will constitute one of its richest treasures, the value of which will be increased with the progress of time. Should the State Historical Society concur with the views herein expressed, the committee, on behalf of the G. A. R., Department of Wisconsin, respectfully request that it will take such action in relation thereto as it may deem wisest and best. Respectfully, ROBERT C. SPENCER, On motion of General Fairchild, the chair appointed Messrs. E. E. Bryant, of Madison, and John N. Davidson and W. W. Wight, of Milwaukee, a committee to act with the president and corresponding secretary in co-operating with the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Wisconsin, in regard to the matter. ADDRESSES. Vice-President James Davie Butler then delivered an address upon the life and character of the late Daniel Steele Durrie, librarian. [See Appendix-D.] Rev. John Nelson Davidson, of Milwaukee, read a monograph on Negro Slavery in Wisconsin. [See Appendix - E.] The exercises were concluded with a memoir on the late Jared Comstock Gregory, by the Hon. Silas U. Pinney. [See Appendix - F.] The several reports and papers were ordered printed with the proceedings of the Society, whereupon the meeting stood adjourned. |