THE AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
The mid-winter meeting of the Association was held at Turner Hall in San Antonio, December 29. The attendance from without the city was not as large as had been expected; but the Association is yet young, and the habit of attending its meetings must have a little time to grow. Much interest was aroused by the papers, and considerable discussion was elicited by some of them. The program originally provided for only a single session, but this did not allow time to dispose of the papers, and it became necessary to hold two sessions. Some disappointment was caused by the absence of Judge Denman, who was to read a paper on Judge T. J. Devine. Other demands upon the time of Judge Denman rendered it impossible to get the paper ready, but it is expected to appear in the April Quarterly.
The thanks of the Association are due the San Antonio members, and especially Vice President Corner, for the excellent arrangements for the meeting. A comfortable and convenient hall was provided, and on the evening of the 29th a reception was given to the visiting members. This was a most elegant and enjoyable affair, and the occasion will not soon be forgotten by those who were present.
On the whole, the results of the meeting were most encouraging. It can hardly fail to stimulate historical research in the State and raise the standard by which work in history will be measured. A large number of new members were elected and the evidence of vitality in the Association and of its great possibilities was most gratifying.
The press of the State also deserves the gratitude of the Association. The leading dailies, especially, by announcements of the meetings and programs, by reviews of the Quarterly, and by editorial notices, have done much to encourage the organization and promote its success, and their public spirited policy in dealing with it is gratefully noted.
On the 2nd day of March next comes the first anniversary of the birth of the Association. The beginnings have been most auspicious, and the outlook is bright. It must not be forgotten, however, that success in this movement can come only as the result of united effort on the part of those interested in it. Everything done in the way of increasing the effective membership, of calling attention to and describing collections of historical material, or of gathering and sending to the recording secretary and librarian bits of history worth preserving but liable to be lost, counts for so much. The assistance of the members in carrying out the purposes of the Association is urgently requested.
There are now but few of the Texas veterans left alive; and, as the memorial page of the Quarterly reminds us, the number is rapidly growing less. Every one of them should be induced, if possible, to put his reminiscences in writing. The time is not far distant when every light so cast upon the beginnings and early history of the Republic will be precious; and the children of the men who have helped to make Texas will, when it is too late, become conscious of deplorable neglect in doing so little to preserve information existing perhaps only in the memory of their fathers.
It is, however, not only those enrolled as members of the Veteran's Association that are carrying valuable knowledge to their graves to be buried even as themselves. Into the past half century of our history has been crowded a series of events pregnant with effect, and none that have been leaders in any sphere during this time are without some store of knowledge and experience having public value, and therefore worth preserving in some permanent form. Two names of such men have just been added to the roll of the honored dead of Texas. It need hardly be said that these are ex-Governor L. S. Ross and Dr. R. L. Dabney. One of them had the writing habit, and has left behind many books. The other had not. What he himself has put to record out of his eventful life can not here be stated. Something, it is hoped; but, whether little or much, it can hardly fail to prove a treasure to him that is privileged to use it.
How to cite:
"THE AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION.", Volume 001, Number 3, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 229 - 232. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v001/n3/back_11.html
[Accessed Mon Dec 1 17:21:55 CST 2008]
