Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 09.djvu/153

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144
Southern Historical Society Papers.

We believe that the time has come for a vigorous effort in this direction, and we are maturing certain plans which will test the feasibility of the enterprise.

But, meantime, we submit several questions:

1. Is there not some one of large means and liberal mind who will just endow the Society at once, and be done with it? We see frequent notices of large donations to colleges, charitable institutions, &c., and always rejoice when men or women are wise enough to make such judicious use of their money. But we really do not know of a better investment that one of our rich men could make than to endow this society, which, in the years to come, will hand down to posterity the true history of our Southern land—the true story of the deeds of her sons in Colonial, Revolutionary, and Confederate times.

And if some rich man wishes to build for himself a monument "more lasting than brass," we do not know how he can better do it than by linking his name with this Society, and having it handed down as the patron of this effort to vindicate the name and fame of our people, and preserve for the future historian the material for their history.

Do you know the man to do this for us?

2. Are there not those who will give us handsome sums, on condition that an ample endowment is raised? One friend has offered us $1,000, on condition that nine others would unite with him and make up ten thousand dollars. Who else will respond to this proposition: or who will make other propositions? We would be glad to have any suggestions on this matter. We must have an endowment. Who will help?


Captain Polk's reply to General Ruggles, in reference to the Concentration before Shiloh, came too late for this issue, but will appear next month.


LITERARY NOTICE.

Scribner and St. Nicholas continue to maintain their high character for literary and interesting and valuable reading.