I-REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS OF SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING

OF THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

WASHINGTON, D. C., DECEMBER 27, 28, 30, 31, 1901.

By CHARLES H. HASKINS,

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

H. Doc. 702, pt. 1-2

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REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION."

By CHARLES H. HASKINS, Corresponding Secretary.

In 1901, for the first time since 1895, the American Historical Association held its annual meeting at Washington. Six years ago the meeting was not well attended and interest in the Association did not seem to be growing. With intent of awakening new interest and attracting the attention of students of history, it was determined to hold some of the meetings in other places than Washington, especially under the auspices and general direction of the universities. The migratory plan seems to have proved successful. Doubtless the new life and energy that are everywhere apparent in the work of the Association are due in large measure to other causes, but they are also in part attributable to the fact that by holding sessions in different parts of the country new members have been added, local interest has been awakened, a large number of persons have been enabled to attend its gatherings, and the Association has been recognized as really national in its purpose and

scope.

The growth and increasing influence of the Association were well shown by the large attendance at the Washington meeting, December 27 to 31, 1901. It was estimated that nearly, if not quite, 200 members were in attendance. Many of them came long distances. Representatives were present not only from the neighboring States, but from California and Texas, as well as from the States of the Mississippi Valley and the farther northeast. There was an unusually large representation from the Southern colleges and universities, an indication not only of the value of an occasional meeting in the South, but

a With some modifications, this general account of the Washington meeting is reproduced from the report prepared for the April, 1902, number of the American Historical Review by the managing editor of the Review, Prof. A. C. McLaughlin.

also of the developing interest in history in that region. One of the most valuable sessions was given to a consideration of topics in Southern history, and after the session those that were especially concerned came together to discuss in an informal conference the general subject of history teaching in the Southern States. The acquaintanceship and mutual cooperation resulting from such a gathering is likely to prove of considerable service in the advancement of historical study.

The local committee, of which Gen. A. W. Greely was chairman and Mr. Gilbert H. Grosvenor was secretary and treasurer, made elaborate preparations to care for the entertainment of the Association. Nothing that could contribute to the comfort and convenience of those in attendance was neglected. Ex-Senator and Mrs. John B. Henderson gave a reception to the members of the Association; Mrs. Roosevelt received informally the lady members and wives of members. The privileges of the Cosmos Club, which were generously extended to all, were much appreciated. Arrangements were also made to give the amplest opportunity to visit the places and the collections which had special significance for the historical student. The libraries of the State and War Departments were open to inspection under the courteous supervision of Mr. Andrew H. Allen and Mr. J. W. Cheney. Of unusual interest and value were the opportunities of visiting the various departments of the Library of Congress, notably the departments of documents, of prints, of manuscripts, and of maps. The hours spent in the library were full of profit and a source of inspiration to the visitors. Many students and teachers will go back to their tasks with renewed hope and courage, and with confirmed convictions as to the bright future of historical scholarship in the United States. A great library conducted in the most liberal and enlightened manner, offering its advantages not only willingly but with positive eagerness, will be of incalculable service to historical investigation.

The programme was so arranged as to give to each session a character and interest of its own. The American Economic Association likewise held its meeting in Washington, and the members of the two Associations were thus enabled to meet together, as they did last year at Ann Arbor and on some previous occasions. Two joint sessions were held. In the first the presidents of the two societies delivered the customary

annual addresses; in the other, subjects of common interest to workers in both fields were discussed.

The first session was held Friday evening, December 27, in one of the lecture rooms of Columbian University. The presidential address of Mr. Charles Francis Adams, entitled "An undeveloped function," appeared in the January number of the American Historical Review, and is also printed in the present volume. Mr. Adams gave it as his conviction that the Association should not forbear entirely from considering topics of political moment. He believed that its members, trained historical investigators and students of past politics, should stand ready to discuss live political subjects in the historical spirit and to offer solutions of present problems in accordance with the teachings of history. Professor Ely, president of the Economic Association, spoke on "Industrial Liberty."a He declared that complete liberty can not be an absolute ideal, because authority is needed in society in order to secure an harmonious cooperation of its various elements, and without social authority we should have no production of wealth and should be without the material basis for that popular liberty which enables men to use their faculties in the common service. The basis of social authority is institutional in the broadest sense, not merely political. Socialism, on the other hand, does not furnish an ideal industrial condition. The true ideal lies midway between anarchy and socialism. It may be termed the principle of social solidarity. According to this principle the great institutions must be conserved, but developed in the interests of liberty positively conceived.

The session of Saturday morning was held in the assembly room of the Congressional Library in connection with a visit of the Association to the Library. The first paper was read by Miss Lucy M. Salmon, of Vassar College, in advocacy of the establishment of an American school of historical studies at Rome. Miss Salmon pointed out that recent years have worked great changes in American universities; that the time has long passed when one could complain, as did John Quincy Adams, that the footnotes of Gibbon could not be verified in American libraries; that there still exist, however, certain.

a The address is printed in the report of the proceedings of the American Economic Association.