Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-12-18

taken the liberty to make the sugges-
tions have in the hope that you may be
able to do something towards correct in
-struction in the matters referred to. l
trust that the teachers throughout the
state, when the matter 10 called TO their
attention, will recognize the propriety
| OF disseminating the use OF ali such
books as refer to the war between the
states US '.civil war; or 'rebellIon. -
| There can be no fear but that the
| ground on which the Confederate states
stood in the war will he faithfully AMI
| fairly presented in the state university.
| The gentlemen in charge OF the law de-
| partment OF that institution understand
the subject so well. and we're, and are,
| so firm in their convictions that the Con-
federate states hal right on their side
that no doubt can be entertained of their
Teaching truthfully the history OF the
causes, progress and results of the war.
Doubtless other members OF the faculty OF
the university entertain similar views
and will As faithfully and clearly enforce
/ them in their instruction. l refer to the
professors OF law only because they are
well known to me. l trust that we may
have no reason to doubt that the teach
ings of this chapter In our own history
may be as accurate, impartial and faith
full in the public free schools as in the
university.
II may be said further that no history
OF the war between the states suitable
for use in the common schools las yet
been written. TINS may or may not bs
true. If none has been written bet
ter not use any Textbook than one
which ms ructs falsely. l submit that
all teachers who wish TO he correctly in
formed as to the matter can rrnd Mr..
Alexander H. Stephens first volume OF
his "Wnr Between the States;' the first
100 pages of Admiral Setnmes' ''Service
AfioaI, or better than all 1.-THE RISE
AMI Fall of the Confederate States by
the Hon. Jefferson Davis. After read
ing any OF these teachers could give
young students all necessary instructions
by oral lectures or conversation,
method of teaching which l have heard
is quite popular, aud which l highly ap-
prove. trust some enferprisHg young
gentlemun or lady will find time TO pre-
pare abridged or condensed history
from sCme or all of the authors have
referred TO 10. use in the public schools
if it be true that none such las yetteen
prepared.
Borrowing the language of Chief JUS
delivered in March last at Nashville. 81
hope his (Mr. jefferson DavlsO teach
ings of our form of government will be-
come standards in our schools. -
In this letter l have endeavOred to
pretermit any violence of expression a.
to the merits of either side il the war be-
tween the United States and the Con-
federate states. Ny own convictions as
to the siie on which the RICH! Law ara so
we'll known 20 you that I need not de-
clare them here. My object is more to
have the cause Of the Confederate states
placed fairly and honestly before our
children than to defend Ell her their
people, their soldiers or their statesmen.
Their conduct needs no defence when its
history is fairly written or correctly
taught.
II, in your official position or as O citi-
zen, you can do anything towards pro-
noting the objects l have briefly men,
toned, | think you will do the country a
great service, and add to the reputation
you already justly enjoy as teacher.
Very truly yours,
Signed F. B. SEXTON.
Marshall, Tex, Dec. 8, 1890.