The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-24

OF the Constitution, two views OF the pow
crs Of the general government, and OF IT'S
relations 10 the States comprising the
union-that these views affected in many
ways the subsequent history Of our coun-
try-and that this difference Of view was
the fundamental cause OF the final rup-
fure IL fails 10 emphasize the fact that
the idea OF secession was universal in the
country IN the early stages OF the new
Government, and that the earliest efforts
TO put this idea into practical operation
occurred in the New England and other
Northern States. IL intimates. rather
than says, that secession was peculiarly
Southern idea. IL is always respectful In
speaking Of the South, yet It is written
from the standpoint Of the Union'-the
standpoint Of a Supreme Central Power
and 80 gives color to the charge that the
South rebelled against the Government
in matters OF detail there may be errors,
but these the competent teacher viii
correct for his pupils. Occasionally the
enthusiasm Of the writer leads 60 the use
of language 80 ornate and rhetorical as
TO be above the capacity OF the learner.
sHINNs HISTORY
In shinn's History the story of the
country Is we'll told. The style and lam
guage make 1t. so far as can be judged
without the actual test OF the school
room. a book well adapted FOR use ia
our schools its maps and illustrations
are excellent. its paper binding and type
very satisfactory. its detailed maps OF
battles are good and are well arranged.
10 contains very great variety of use
ful aud interesting information. It's spirit
of fairness is distinctly mar ked, yet now
and then its southern feeling turns the
even scale Of the impartial Judge. 10
treats more fully than usual the historic
events Of the South. especially its Indian
wars II is wanting IN questions. and
pronouncing vocabulary The treatment
of the early history is more interesting
than that of Barnes, and is better cal
oulated 10 arouse the interest OF the
children. 10 gives more fully the facts in
the history OF the country bearing on the
position of the South in the Union. II
sets forth clearly the great question on
which parties have constantly divided
the two views of the powers Of The gem
cral governmcnt-the tariff and the
slavery ouestlons-and shows the consis-
tcncy Of the South and its justihcation.
10 traces the effects Oi these ideas as
they are gradually unfolded in the subse-
quent history. and shows the South al
WAYS 20 have been long suffering, loyal
90 the Constitution. and lovers Of the
Union: and that the act of secession
was simply the exercise of constitution
al rirht. am exhibition of the highest
Loyalty to constitutional freedom, and not
am act of pcttish discomfort. Rebellion,
under this treatment could not be
thought of in connection with the South.
IIANSEL'S AND HOLMES.
Uansors History IS a very superior book
of reference No book with which we are
familiar presents more clearly ana forci-
Ia. ions If
Put WE 90 not think So well adapted To
the requirements of our district schools.
-sIolmcs' History. We have thought ~
unnecessary 20 make any detailed report
as 10 this history, since it was used for
"a number Of years in our schools and
found nl-suited to our wants.
When our textbook ON history was Sc
loctcd some years ago. there were I'm
existence no school histories ihat present
od "a satisfactory statement of the story
OF our country We selected Barnes as
better adapted 10 our wants than any we
could find. Now there are several suit
able ones While, therefore, we recognize
the cXcpllencics of Barnes. we think
that "a charge is desirable. in order that
we may secure "a better presentation OF
the facts of our history. that the real
position of the South may Doe presented
10 our children, and in respone to
general public demand TOT chdhbe' III
case Of change We recommend the use OF
Shinn's We recommend further that
Lees. Hanscls. and Barnes Histories be
put on The desf of each teacher OF his-
tory - works of reference.
This action of the board prescrihcs the
use of shinns History of the United
States in schools of this city. beginning
with the reorganization in February next.
no extra expense is imposed ON the
patrons of the schools by this change.
THE author of this history Mr. j. ID.
shnn. is the superintendent of Public
instruction for the state of Arkansas.