Production Note Cornell University Library produced this volume to replace the irreparably deteriorated original. It was scanned using Xerox software and equipment at 600 dots per inch resolution and compressed prior to storage using CCITT Group 4 compression. The digital data were used to create Cornells replacement volume on paper that meets the ANSI Standard Z39.48-1984. The production of this volume was supported in part by the New York State Program for the Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials and the Xerox Corporation. Digital file copyright by Cornell University Library 1993.Prom Utica Morning Herald, Jan. 9,1895." ONEIDA HISTORIANS. THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Reports Presented and Officers Elected —The IVcw 'Building—Other Business —Professor Terrell’s Address on The Study of History, in Association Hall East Evening. The annual meeting of the Oneida his- torical society was held in the spacious rooms of the society, in the Arcade build- ing at 4 P. M. yesterday. The president. Hon, Charles W . Hutchinson, presided. There was a good attendance of members. The librarian of the society, Dr. M. M. Bagg, made the following report: Number of bound volumes now owned by the society. 6,287; increase since Jan. 3, 1894, 70; number of pamphlets how owned, 6,432; increase since Jan. 3, 1894, 450; number of manuscripts, documents, maps, etc., 649; increase during year, 29. The report was accepted. Dr. Bagg also reported the receipt of numerous papers, documents and pamphlets since the last meeting. The following genealogies pre- pared by the donor, Rev. Horace E. Hay- den: Dade, Fowkes, Hove-Barnes, Car- roll, Oliver and Gallaudet, were received. The donations were acknowledged with the thanks of the society. The report of General Charles W. Darling, as corresponding secretary for the year ending Jan. 8, 1895, was read as follows: The Oneida historical society, founded in 1876 and incorporated in 1878. now ranks as oue of the prominent historical societies in the United States. Its influ- ence and power is felt thro’out the coun- try. and when the time comes for it to oc- cupy the line structure soon to be erected for its exclusive use, its facilities for use- fulness will be greatly increased. During the past year 2,025 communications have been sent out,but altbo the letters received have not been so carefully noted, vet the number will, in all probability, not be any less. Labor spent in connection with the. welfare of a historical society is not work expended , un- wisely, for the acquisition and publication of historical records is con- sidered, by the United States, to be of such vast importance, that this govern- ment is annually expending $250,000 in behalf of American history. It has, within the past few years, spent more than $2,000,000 in the celebration of his^ torical events, and for the erection of monuments of historic character. For the promotion of historical studies, the collection aid preservation of manu- scripts, and for kindred purposes in the interest of American history, the Ameri- can historical association was incorpor- ated, by act of congress approved Jan. 4, 1889, and thro this channel the government is brought * into touch with all the active local historical societies in the union. Historical societies are so highly estemeed by some of our states that they make them state organizations and pay the ex- penses connected with the publication of their papers. This society is not one of those which is so highly favored, nor does it ask for any such favor, as its pub- lications are paid for by its generous members. Much valuable printed mater- ial has already been widely distributed- by the Oneida historical society, and more is yet to come. The most impor- tant work now before the Oneida histori- cal society is to secure an appropriation from the legislature with which to erect a monument in honor of General Nicho- las Herkimer, Warren C. Rowley made the following report as treasurer: General fund re- ceipts, $628.57; disbursements. $485.98; balance on hand, $142 59. There is now $37.70 in the Herkimer monument fund. The moneys of these funds are deposited in the Oneida National bank. The amount in the building fund is $131.56. The report was accepted. General Darling reported the sale of three bookcases belonging to the society for $77.50. Rev. Dana W. Bigelow stated that Professor Terrett of Hamil- ton college would deliver the annual ad- dress in association hall in the evening and urged all to be present. The membership committee reported favorably upon the following names for resident members: Hon. John O. Davies, Frederick H. Gouge, Frederick M. Cal- der. Otto A, Meyer, Superintendent- George Griffith, and William W. Adams of Union Springs. N. Y., and William Kirkpatrick of Syracuse as corresponding members. On motion, the persons named were elected to membership. The names of Beujamin D. Gilbert and Robert D, Pierce were proposed for membership. Rev. Daniel Ballou read a paper in ref- erence to a bill to be presented to the leg- islature, asking for an appropriation for the erection of a monument to General Nicholas Herkimer. The chair was au- thorized to appoint a committee to draw up a bill aod send it to the representatives from this district at Albany.” George D, Dimon stated that the plans; and specifications for the new buildingliad been drawn up and everything was- progresSlng satisfactorily. He said that ground would probably be broken early in the spring. Dr. M. M. Bagg asked that an invita- tion be extended to Mrs. Charles $, Fairchild of Brooklyn to read a paper which she has been preparing for some time. Mrs. Fairchild is the wife of ex- Uuited States Treasurer Fairchild, and her paper is an itinerary of the travels of Mr. Fairchild’s father in 1791 in thi3 sec- tion of the couutry. Mrs. Fairchild has expressed a desire to publish the paper in the name of the Oneida historical so- ciety. On motion, the society extended an invitation to Mrs. Fairchild to read her paper at the next meeting. The annual election of officers then oc- curred, The tellers were N. Curtis White and Dr. J. V. Haberer. Hon. Charles W. Hutchinson was unanimous- ly elected president. He thanked the so- ciety for the houor conferred and said that the energy of the members had brought to the society honors almost.un- precedented. The remaining officers were unanimously elected as follows: First vice president, William M. White; sec- ond vice president, George D. Dimon; third, Hon. David Wager of Rome; re- cording secretary, W. Pierrepont White; corresponding secretary, General C. W. Darling; librarian, Dr. M. M. Bagg; treasurer, Warren C. Rowley; executive committee, Alexander Seward, Professor George C, Sawyer, Dr. M. M. Bagg, N. Curtis White, Rev. Dana W. Bigelow. Hon, Cyrus D. Prescott of Rome was elected as a member of the board of coun- cilors to fill the vacancy caused by the death of B. J. Beach of Rome. Ad- journed. Professor W. R. Tcrrett’s Address’, Iu the evening the annual address was delivered before the association by Pro- fessor W. R. Terrettof Hamilton college. Rev, Dana W. Bigelow presided. Pro- fessor Terrett’s subject was “The study of history,” and in commencing his ad- dress he spoke of the meaning and mo- tives of historical research. He said there were certain motives which may make one pursue historical research, one passion for facts and the other for principle. He continued: We should study history for the pleasure of knowing the facts. Facts will be found out some- time if they are needed. It is a modern appetite inspired by scientific spirits. It was supposed once that facts are not nec- essaries for theories. Before the modern scientific spirit began to work many thought they could construct theories of life and uuiverse without auy well estab- lished facts, The investigator Is a crea- tion of modern time. A man may very well spenl his life in ascertaining the ways of nature’s laws. W~e must have men inspired by a passion for learning facts, laying the Arm foundation upon which the spleudid philosophy of the fu- ture shall be built. History will be a science some day. We need the histori- cal investigator, pure and simple, the man who has started out to And new facts or show that old facts are no facts. We need men who have laid aside theories and hypotheses and who are seeking for facts alone. In order to preserve historical research certain physiological conditions are necessary. Who has written history impartially as yet ? Some one else must write the history of theUnited States than Bancroft. He was too patriotic and could not see the other side of the history of the revolu- tion. Almost every historian has had a passion ~ which has disturbed the poise and impartiality of his judgment to a certain extent. There is the English side to free trade and sailors’ rights. There is a side to the southern secession before the late rebel- lion. We must learn to see the other side if you would be a historical investigator worthy of the name. We must consent to the removal of the legendary history for the sake of facts and the truth. Facts are better than Action and truth better than legendary lore. It is better that the children should know lit- tle of great characters then know much that is not true. Yon can interest a boy or girl in the history of the town, county, state and nation and then he will And himself or herself on the ocean of man- kind and you can do this without the his- torical novel too,