The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1885-04-12

III VIII not be denied that history
is one of the most valuable and at
tractive of literary products. Nor
need we argue the proposition that
any worthy country appears to adj
vantage in history. The life of = sim
gle CONSPICUOUS man, if well written,
is interesting to read; how much
more interesting must be the graphic
history of the beginnings and growth
of a community. The former is only
an incident of, and is involved in, the
latter. How precious would be any
definite knowledge Of the early life of
certain great nations. What prodi-
gious and various efforts have been
made to clear away the mists from the
history of early Greece and Rome
what a qualification it would be to the
thoughtful people of the world every
where to be able to look back through
uncertain centuries to the birth of
that ancient, cloudy and despiscd
people the Chinese. Even tradition
among savages is esteemed as sacred.
No wonder, then, that enthusiastic
Wendell Phillips, in criticism on the
historical works of Hurbert Howe
Bancroft should exclain: "What q
godsend such II devotee would have
been to the Atlantic coas;
hundred years ago." With.
out any expectation or calculation
of money return, he has spent 4 fortune
witn6~-.. Int in his enterprise, His
aim, plainly formulated by himself, Isl
II want only to meet with proper and
Just appreciation of good and intelli.
gent men everywhere" We may
congratulate ourselves that we are to
occupy a place in his great work. We
say this not more from a literary OF
philosophical view, than from prac
teal standpoint. II would be great
to our advantage to have Texas prop
erly presented to the outer world. w,
do not mean that circulars should b,
sent abroad telling strangers how
they can improve their fortunes b!
coming here to labor or invest thci
money. Enough OF this has beei
done already; perhaps too much
What we need is plain, straight-ior
ward, honest, well prepared and com
plete history of our commonwealth
This will be of immense value iron
every point of view, especially in Civ
ing the better class of readers in al
parts of the world correct idea q
what the resources of Texas are, an
what are the substantial inducement
she holds out to capital and for tn
making of homes for respectable ID
boring people Mr.. Bancroft, froI
the caimness and impartiality show
in his preceding volumes, has mad
for himself an cnviable reputation 70
fairness and candor. His idea is tha
the only way to write histor. is t
tell the truth, and tell
plainly. Think of the histor
of our own hitherto con
parativeiy unwritten commonwealth
put Ia standard historical nteratur
by Bancroft's pen. There will be II
humbug about it, Mr.. Bancroft is
business man even in history. II
deals in facts alone and builds froI
the granite up such superstructure
as will last and be admired more an
more with the lapse of years. This
eminently so in his case, Tor he has IN
PRODUCED new and charming featur
in history. In addition to every 9th
er possible means of information
records in whatever shape, all Of whic
he'exhausts for the purp Sc of com
pleteness and accuracy, he looks 70
history in living witnesses. Ever
person that can tell him anything o
value for hs history or can in an,
other way shed light upon his sub
ject, he looks upon as friend AM
helper. lie is patient, laborIous AM
sharp-sighted in quest of the truth
lie does not accept all the data oh
tanned, but he will thresh down
whole stack of straw Tor a single grail
of wheat. As much of his work as h
can, he does. 1t is labor of low
with him. Some OF il, owing to th,
scope of his work, he has to delegat,
TO others under his supervision
These are tried and experienced liter
AIRY aids, corps of experts, so I,
speak, who are familiar with tn
methods, and conscientious in carry
ing out his instructions, At present
there are several of these capable gen
tlemen in Texas under commission
from Mr.. Bancroft.