The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-12
SOUTHERN SCHOOL HISTORY.

The Grand Camp Of Confederate veterans
=, choir session in Fredericksburg Wednesday,
decided that Southern children shoniu na'o
a reliable Sout hern school history irom "ii'.n
they could be taught the true lessons u 'io
Confederacy. To carry out this idea con-
mittee consisting of Professor G. ;. 'ehaoio,
of the University Of Virginia. chairman anu
Comrades j. II. Ellyson. A. i. Philips Oh
Richmond Gordon McCabe, OF fetersouis'
and Hume, Of Norfolk, were appoinleu'
This action is eminently wise and canho' DO
too highly commended Ever since the war
tho histories Of the United States used IN our
nuhlic and private schools have been sadly
tnced with anti-Southern coloring and the SEN
tinents taught in them have been all the more
dangerous because they have been so subtiy
and ingeniously concealed under the appear
ance of fairness. 1t is by 10 means an
exarceration to say that any Southern child
studying Swinton's school history. for instance,
who had no other means Of information
would arrive at the conclusion that IN the late
war between the States tho South was not
only wrong. but that in every encounter OF the
long and bloody contest Southern yalor III
variably paled before the brilliant and match
less proves of tho Northern armes-an I'M
preston absolutely and Numerically opposed
10 the truth
Then. again. even if (as in the case with
Eggleston's school history the South
is fairly enough treated in the war
part Of the history. the causes wnicn
led up to that war are improperly stated Inc
story of the prolonged struggles between the
Federalists and the States Rights parties. the
encroachments constantly made. or attempted
10 be made. by the free upon the slave
States. the Missouri Compromise, kansas-Ne-
braska BILL and similar subjects are all treated
from Northern standpoints, and, in fact are
merely paraphrased from Northern writings.
The tendency of all this has been, and IS, to
convey the idea TO the minds OF our youth
that slavery wss political crime instead OK
being q constitutional right, and they are left
in absolute ignorance of the fact that 1t was
due to the constant violations Of obligations
on the part of the North towards the South,
and persistent spirit of ignoring and en-
croaching upon the rights of this section
that finally led the Southern States TO reas-
sumo the sovereignty that they had delegated
10 the Federal Union and take up arms in its
defense.
What Southern schools want, therefore, is
history of the United States written from
Southern standpoint and going away back TO
the foundation of the republic when the war
between Federalism and States Rights and
between the North and the South first began.
The real state of the case throughout the long
period when that war was confined to the
halls of Congress until it was finally
transferred from the political arena TO
the field of battle should be portrayed, and
true history Of the conduct of the sections
during the war between the States should be
given. The wonderful fortitude Of the
South in her adversely during the reconstruc-
ton period, the remarkable energy and In
domitable spirit of her people, and her rise
from the ashes Of her desoation to her present
prosperous condition. with her brilliant pros
poets for wealth and prosperity, should also be
detailed by master hand.
The Grand Camp Of Veterans should not
rest until this is accomplished. If they sue
coed in carrying out their idea they will con-
fer upon the South and posterity practical
| benefits the good effect Of which cannot be
calculated.