Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-12-15
A PUBLIC NEED.
The Truth OF History-Should it Not be
Taught in Pubic Schools.
An Interesting Latte. Of G,nerat Interest Upon
the tulj set by r. B. Sexton Of
Narsbali.

F. B. Sexton OK Marshall. gentleman
well known TO the legal fraternity,
letter discussing the need for a more
accurate aud truthful history for use in
the public schools. AS the letter Is one
OF general interest, q copy of 1t is given
herewith:
Hon. b. C. Pritchett. Superintendent OF Pub
I lie Instruction for Texas, Austin. Tex:
81 DEAR Shiny attention has recently
been called to the histories used as text
Books in our public schools. / note that
F"Barnes' United States history refers
to the war between the United States of
America and the Confederate States OF
America as the "civil war; Other
histories may refer TO it in the same
language, and, hear that soma charac-
teriZe IL us 1.-The war OF the rebellion. ~
l happen TO have seen none but
.'Burnes'. -
l propose TO have no controversy with
those states or the people living in them,
who fought aud conquered US. They did
conquer US by the logic of ''strOng bat
talions'' and ''heavy artillery, and
they can call the war what they please.
We have long since learned that the
terms they use are not always truthful.
When they falsely call US "re5els' we
are powerless TO prevent them. But |
think il Is due 10 truth and justice; due
10 the memory of our gallant soliiers who
died for their convictions; due
to the thirteen states which were de-
solaieu and Impoverished by the sword
and torch of the Invader; due TO the
statesmnnship of the public servants OF
the Confederate states, most OF whom
have 'goue over the river, - that, In
our public schools, our own statement of
our case should be fairly presented.
"civll war; Is war between peo-
pie. or sections. or factions in the same
state. A 'rebelion' is an attempt to
overthrow the sovereign power In Il state
or kingdom. (See VntteI or any stand
ard writer on public law.
The American colonies which formed
the United States were each sovereign
aud independent of the other. Each
held its distinct corporate existence By
its own separate charter from the crown
of Great b 'iiain.
The Declaration of Independence de-
c!ares that the colonies s.are, aud OF
right ought TO be, free and independent
states
spf6vide that leach state retains its SOW
ereigu;y, freedom aud Independence. ?"
and ''every power. jurisdiction and
right not expressly delegated TO the
Uuited States.
The constitution of the United States
was formed 10y the states mot by the
people ut large or en- masse) in their sep
arhte and independent capacities. 1t is
uudisputed history that New York re-
fused TO assent to the constitution for
many months, and that North Carolina
and Rhode Island did not rutify and as
sent TO II until long after the other states
had done so. The constitution itself
provides for its ratification between the
states ratifying. II does not aud never
did establish government over the
states which male It.
The tenth amendment of the coDstitu-
ton OF the United States (Which was
finally adopted in 1889 l79D provides
that "the powers not delegated to the
United States by the constitution nor
prohibited by II to the states are reserved
to the states respectively or to the peo-
pie.
Without having recently re-read
Elliot debates, venture to state, from
memory, that the word tnatIonal' was
seldom II ever used in referring to the
government which the states we're form
ing. 1t WAS called "federal' govern
ment, aud the word necessarily implies
an agreement or "league'' among
equals.
No provision was made in the federal
constitution for the use OF force or any
species of coercion against state.
This was conceded By Col. Alexander
Hamilton, the acknowledged leader of
those who favored strong central
government.
1t followed necessarily that each
state had the right to withdraw from the
Union and was itself the Judge of the
time and occasion of doing so.
In the exercise OF this right, thirteen
independent states, each upon its own
judgment, Is determined aud manifested
By conventions of its citizens, withdrew
from the Federal union. They did not
rebel against or attempt to overthrow the
government of the United States; they
simply LEFT it. Subsequently the same
thirteen states formed a con federation
of their own convenience and, as they
deemed, to promote their own welfare
The government of "the Confederate
States of America was fully organized
and had IL complete existence for four
years. War was mac on that govern
ment by the Cnited States of America.
The Confederate States OF America were
conquered, and every soldier of that
government, not previously killed, and
all the citizens of the states, members of
the Confederate states, were made pris-
oners and kept upon parole until relieved
by subsequent action of the United States
government.
From the foregoing premises-the truth
of which l am willing TO trust 10 the ex-
animation of any candid and fair minded
reader of history not C bigoted partisan
1t results that the wnr between the
United States Of America and the Con-
federate states of America was war
between independent powers, and had
none OF the attributes or characteristics
of civil war or a ar Of rebellion.
If the teachers III our public schools do
not understand this. II Is, / respectfully
submit, high time they were learning II.
1t is bad enough to have been con-
Quered-desolated-to have had the gov
eminent of our fathers, in its spirit aud
com plstely overthrown By our
and new aud different one
"a strong central government. with all
the elements OF complete consolidation
working vigorously to that reSult-suO-
in its stead. But TO have our