Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-09-15
A Good Word for the Greek.
To the Editor Of THE EVENING STAR.


am much surprised by statement made at
schools. on the authority Of Mr. Birney. that
''The study Of the Greek language the col
leges all over the country are getting rid of as
useless one" I observe with regret such a
statement publicly made by one officially asso-
ciated with the interests of public instruction at
the National Capital While conscious of a pre-
vailing tendency to underrate the Importance.
OF classical studies have yet to learn of any
one educator Of conceded ability as classical
scholar, who has hazarled the declaration that
knowledge Of the ancient languages is an
'useless" ACQUISITION or accomplishment. Peo-
pie quite competent to teach and appreciate
the value of Greek and Latin may differ as to
the time which should be expended in their
acquisition to the exclusion Of studies deemed
of more practical value; but no sane man Of
thorough classical education would so far dis
regard the respect OF others as TO pronounce
useless" knowledge Of Greek or Latin. and it
would De a lasting reprOach to the intelligence
and sagacty OfAmericans were the representation
OF Mr.. Brney correct. 1t is safe to assume that
there do not exist any men properly instructed
In. and qualified to appreciate. the value of
classical knowledge, who place light yalue on
even moderate acquaintance with the dead Ian
guages. 1t Is undeniable that some great men
have been unlearned in the Greek and Latin
but such persons would doubtless have shone
more conspicuous possessed Of such knOwledge
the absence whereof was doubtless keenlv felt
and in most cases frankly regretted. No one of
ordinary intelligence will deny that the greatest
ornaments to literature. arts sciences and reli-
gion were familiar with the dead languages
without familiarity wherewith their power and
influence through ages would have been lost
Faith in the Christian religion could not have
survived q loss Of knowledge of the Greek. IT
Is mainly the absence of proper acation, the
result or indifference In teachers and their in
huence on learners, which results in the appear
ance OF the uselessness of higher culture. Al
Toys. while creating doubt, do not depreciate
pure metals How far classical studies are to be
pursued IN the common schools is proper ques-
ton for discussion, but II prosecuted there adj
vanfageously immediate requirement will exist
Tor teachers OF higher order. While all edu-
| Gated at the public charge will not EXPECT. and
put Few lnstinctively desire, the highest culture
patriotism demands that the greatest resDect he
| extended to learning, for all history proves true
greatness In people to depend upon it's cul-
ture. and nations have risen and fallen "a hioher
education was cherished or disregarded. The
| little commonwealth Of Athens for Con vears
previous, and nearly as many subsequent, to the
Christian era. by the culture OF literature and
| the arts and sciences in all their branches at
tanned an influence over the civilized world and
an intellectual eminence never Appropriated by
any other people. Her political glory existed at
| the highest when her legislators framed laws
| adopted by the most civilized nations. when her
generals were intellectual giants. with learning
not restricted to the art Of war, whose compo-
| sitions at this day give delight to the man Of
culture. In one campaign were Aristides. Mil
tiades, calimachus and Eschylus and Others
whose creations In literature win command the adj
miration of the world while civilization endnres.
The LANGUAGE OF such people can never perish,
| let ehariatanry derde az It will That foncue
wherein Homer and Hesiod sang, Plato and
| Pfutarch and Herodotus wrote and Christ
| spoke. VIII be cherished as men are pure and
enlightened, and disregarded where Ignorance
and Decentralization prevail. The virtnous and
educated VIII veneEate Athens, the vile and SELF.