The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-24
MIR. PAGES cnIrIcIsM OF GREG.

Mr. Roosevelt Pages criticism of Greg's
History OF the United States which we
published In Sundays Times, is discriini-
mating and impartial. and yet we arc sorry
IL was made. II may be said that IL the
work has merit Il will survive all hostile
criticisms. and II the criticisms are just
they ought TO be made. These remarks
are sound from one point OF view but
misleading from another. Criticisms Ike
that OF Mr.. Page, by reason OF their cah-
dor and discrimination, have decided
influence in deterring persons from reading
the work criticised. But the objections
made. While they may be sound, are Cd
iections 10 matters about which we are
comparatively Indifferent. The charac-
ters of the men OF the Revolutionary
period are fixed in the estimation OF our
people and that estimation Will never be
affected In the smallest particular by the
remarks of an Englishman who sympa-
thized with the English view Of George
the Thirds period But Greg was real
and deep student OF the causes which led
TO our civil war. and he has written the
history Of the controversy which ended IN
that war with n masters hand. He he's
also written the history Of the war itself
with fun knowledge OF the events and
with thorough justice to the heroic con-
test which the Confederacy made. The
opinions of the rising and Of future gem
hn nj
two points, and we want them supplied
with a source Of correct information upon
them. We are Indifferent If he mislcads
them about the Revolution, for they will
they get wrong about our war they will
never get right 1t is for this reason we
hope to see Greg's book read in every
Southern home and in every other quarter
where impartial men are to be found. and
it is for this reason we reject all such
reviews as that of Mr.. Page. as tending
to restrict its circulation.
After all. Mr.. Pages criticisms and
those Of all the others that we have seen
deal principally with Greg's estimate Of
the leading Americans of the Revolution
airy period IT cannot be denied that he is
partial to but a few of them, and exceed
irgly harsh in his remarks on many of
them. But is he harsher in dealing with
these than Americans Of that day we're
themselves? 1t would be difficult to find
anywhere harsher words than leading
Democrats then called Republicans had
fer General Washington. Mr.. Jefferson
came in for his full share. and hardly
any man could have thought worse of
another than Mr.. Jefferson thought of
Chief Justice Marshall, who cordially re-
ciprocated his sentiments and opinions
If Greg had so desired he might have
written all that part of his work which
deprecates the characters of leading
Americans of that day. in the language of
other leading Americans. And, for his
estimate Of Andrew Jackson. it was not
necessary to go back to old writer's. He
might have taken it from the pages of
the Life of Andrew Jackson, published in
1882 by Professor William G. Semmes. one
of the most eminent American authors Of
his day.
All the world, therefore, does not think
Of our eminent Revolutionary characters
as we are prone to think of them. and
The Times is disposed to great tolerance
in matters of opinion like this.
Whilst, therefore, simply ignoring the
points connected with our Revolutionary
period. on which Mr.. Greg differs with
most Americans, we go with delight into
all Of his work that treats Of the Sou.h's
quarrel with the North; and, when we
get there, we know we stand on solid
ground That all future Southerners may
derive their ideas Of that quarrel from
his pages is the unceasing prayer of The
Times.
1t may be said that he was too partial
to Virgnians and the people Of the South
to write history of our war impartially.
Perhaps he was but he has written our
side of The quarrel as we made it. and lie
has recorded the deeds of our brave men
as they were performed. This is enough
for The Times.
Let those who wish to know what the
old Greeks did read Thucydide's account
of Them but when our children are learn
ing what was done by us let them learn
it as Mr.. Greg has told it, and not as tie
Yankee school historian would have them
boliaUa