Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-07-01
From the Common School Assistant.
STUDY OF HISTORY In COMMON
SCHOOLS

concerning WHICH the AMERICAN people
manifest so much ignorance. Many of
those who have had the higher privileges
of education are familiar with the his
tories of the nations of antiquity they
are well acquainted with the histories Of
the more distinguished nations Of the
present day; and yet almost entirely ig-
norant ofthe history of their own people
and country.
Histories which are purchased and
read are not those Of our forefathers =
but of foreign, remote nations, or of those
who are now gone from the earth. We
turn our attention to the doings and say
ings of other nations, as if there was
nothing instructing or interesting in our
origin, and greatness. How seldom do
we meet with men, even among the bet
ter informed, who are able to rehearse.
their country's deeds, or to call the
names of those who toiled and bled for
their country's liberty This is not the
tribute we owe to those who bled for
our blessings.
The youth of this free and independ-
ent government should prixe the Ameri-
can history as the great register ofcivil
rights and noble deeds. They should
embalm it upon their memory, and be
ready, at all times, 10 repeat the story of
their liberties. No lessons are more
useful than those we learn from history.
They are counsels from the experience
Of nations. The light that history sheds
upon time now gone, ilumes the time
that yet is 10 come. 1t is the great tel
escope through which we may see the
future. sie1t' gt s's'
Then, who is SO well prepared to fore
see his countIy's destiny, or labor for
his country's good, as that man who has
been taught BY his country's history Z!
What man can value his nations liberty
and prosperity, except he has read their
cost? Yet, how few of those who are
now our country's hope, and soon will
be herr men and rulers, who know any
thing of fher history There is scarcely
a primary school where it is taught, and
but few of the higher schools make
it an important study This should
not be SO. The history of the United
States should be taught at home, at
school, and in conversation by the way
side. Every member of society, every
citizen of this commonwealth, should be
intimately acquainted with every bright
example, or important event in our his
tory. These should be the themes of
our highest eloquence, and to them we
should ever appeal. What is there of
more interest to the American youth
than the first settlement ofthis great con-
tinent
Where did those bold spirits come
from, and what was their after history 7
Who did they find here, and what has
been the friendship, or rrenmity, between
the native and the European? What
was the character of the first settlers of
this new world, and what government
did they live under for a time ? Is the
government the same now, and if not,
when was the change, and what were
the causes? What were the consequen-
ces of refusing to obey the government
ofothers, and declaring ourselves an in
dependent people ? l
Who were the great men foremost in
this noble work? How many did we
number when we fought forou liberty 2
Who suffered and died for freedom q
How long were we in achieving our in
dependence? Who assisted us? How
much was the nation in debt at that time !
Who were the great leaders in the strug-
gle for liberty? How have they been
ht nored2 What distinguished men
have lived since What. has, been our
increase and prosperity! What chan
ges are we making on this continent .
How are we regarded by other nations,
and what are our prospects
Who is there that enjoys the bounties
ofthis land and the blessings Of its liber-
tv, that does not want to answer these
questions, and many others like them I?
What youth is willing to step into man.
hood, ignorant Of this wise and deeply
interesting volume, which our history
presents The history Of the United
States should be taught in every district
school and it should always be studied
with map. Observation-Disclosures will
give interest to places, and lend a charm
to geography.
A knowledge of history will tell us
how others have lived, and enable US to
compare ourselves with the past, and
prepare ourselves for the future. The