Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-05-13
School Books,

cannot long withstand the attacks OF both
the prom ptings of nature and of interest.
School Books.
We are afraid that the selection Of books
for use in our schools is not always attend
ed with the care and judgment which its
Importance demands. The impressions
made upon children through the means
of books used in our primary schools are
the most lasting which the youthful mind
receives, and it becomes important, there
fore, that much pains should be taken to
secure such books as are friendly to US as a
people, and which were not prepared I'M
der Influences, interests and habits not
only unlike ours but actually antagonistic
thereto. If the Southern people desire to
preserve those characteristics which have
distinguished them in their moral and
social features, they must preserve pure
the fountain heads of education.
We have no particular system or series
to recommend. We do not object to
school books merely because they are
written by Northern man or published
by Northern house. We have no such
sectional prejudices. We much prefer
GOOD and wholesome school book from the
North than on Indifferent one from the
South. but most OF those which come
to us from the North are very sectional
and partial in their nature. They either
implant insidious falsehoods in the minds
OF the young or keep them in ignorance Of
their own people and section.
We are aware tLet eminent Southern
men, aroused to the proper Importance Of
this matter, have been, and are, engaged
in preparing q series of school books
adapted to the country, excluding the
Northern sectionalism which, consciously
or unconsciously. finds its way into so
many of the books issued at the North.
We hope that Southern teuchers will pay
that attention 10 the subject which it's vital
Importance merits We do not believe
that any more valuable subject eould claim
the consideration Of teachers, end to es-
tablish a uniform series in oil the South is
Of sufficient importance to call for a gen
era! meeting of our most distinguished
and eminent professors and teachers.
There is strength in union, and If the pro
per text books are not now published let
them be prepared st once. Under the
fostering care Of a Southern association of
teachers the work could be speedily &C
complished.
In Georgia the teachers have such an
association, and at a recent meeting in
Savannah, when the question Of school
books was under consideration, General
JOHN 3. CONDOR, who wSs present by in
vitation, being called upon by the Presi-
dent for his views, responded in an clio
quent address, in which he expressed the
opinion that our children should be educa-
ted to respect themselves. the achieve
ments of their ancestors and love of their
own State and country. and then proceeded
to discuss the lasting eject Of early inn
pressions upon the youthful mind, pro-
duced by the text books used in schools
He Their exposed the Partially of some Ct
the text books which had been adopted by
some CT the schools in the South, amongst
which is book entitled THE National
Reader" which gives glowing descriptions
of the White Mountains and other scenery
in the North, while it says nothing OF the
beautiful and romantic scenery of Georgia
and tho South.
This book also speaks of the splendid
military achievements of Gen. Sheridan,
while it says nothing about the GkilIful
movements of Stonewall Jackson.
He also alluded to the corruptions which
had been made IL late edition of Web
ster's Dictionary, by which the meaning
of almost every word having reference to
the science of government, has been
changed to suit the notions Of the political
party now in power.
He also introduced and discussed the
merits of series of school books entitled
Holmes" Southern Readers" which sp-
peared to be free from the defects pointed
out in the school books prepared at the
North.
Expensive PartIsanshtP.
The several departments of the General
Government maid Mr. WILLIAM M EVARTs