The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1895-06-13

MILWAUKEE Is considerably exercis !!
over an article written by one of the
teachers of high school IN that city, il
which he bslittles the revolutionary wa {.
When one reads the article he can no.
help thinking that the good people o.
the metropolis are supersensitive. The
reputation OF the fathers OF the republi,
Is too firmly established to be disturbe
by anything which may be written by q
young man whom research has taught
that his early impressions were faulty
and that the fervencY OF his devotion was
oVecgrought 1t is not the iaconoclast
who Is to blame for this reaction against
exaggeTation II pseudo-hlstorical treat
meut. There we're giants 10 these days
is the lesson taught to every young
American. When in adult years he learns
that there never was an age when human
nature was not imperfect, his faith IN
things worthy Of belief Is shaken and the
leap from the enthusiast to the cynic is
not over depth great as that OF well or
wide as church door, but twill serve"
The SWING OF the pendulum will be all
the greater because Of the hight from
Every student OF American history
knows that the war OF the Revolution
did not have It's origin in desire for in.
no opportunity for the display of military
genius; he knows that under ordinary
circumstances the colonies we're no match
for England in a war; he knows that the
constitution was adopted with the belief
that state conld quit the union when it
felt so disposed, and that this right was
asserted with vIgor by sections which
aiterWards were most strenuous ia de-
nal OF the privilege; but he would be fool
lsh 10 say these things.
There should be nothing reprehensIbIe
II believing that this country Of ours
adds to lts civic wisdom as It does to It's
material prosperity by the progress of
years, and that the statesmen Of to day
are better able TO leglSlate so as to meet
the needs OF the present than were those
OF the past century TO perceive what tire
future would bring. There is more hope
for the perpetuity OF the republic in b.
lleyIng tLat.th eOccas1on Of the hour deyel-
ops the man who can meet the emergency.
than To feel that all these things were
provided for by the founders of the re-
public. There Is less likelihood of a
revival OF tue doctrine OF secession in be
lleyIng that 1t received its quietus at
Appommatox than to believe that the
constitution prohibited it.
" hen war was the only honorable en-
ployme1t, dead heroes were apotheosiZed.
This heathenIsh custom does not com
mend itself to the civilization of the 9th
century. There is enough that is worthy
IN the lives OF the heroes of the revolution
to earn the respect and deserve the craft
tude OF the people of the United States
without investing them with fictitious
virtues, only 10 be robbed If their real
virtues when mature thought and historic
Facts reveal defects in that which we
were won't to consider perfection. 1t is
cardinal principle in the historical he
lief OF almost every American boy that
W ashnEton never told an untruth.
That faith Is not abiding, aud che young
man IS angerai that deception should
have been practiced upon the child.
Truth cannot DO Ineulcatsd through the
medium OF fa}sehood
The Daughters OF the Revolution are
no uouot al right IN their place. bat
they arrOgate TO themselves q great priv
Iege when they assume The right to die.
tate what historic facts shall O. shall not
be believed. There Is an exuberapce of
hero worship, prodi sallty OF emotional
patriotism whlsh Is akin to that lavish
distribution Of titles to which can he
traced the clubbing of Mr.. Lurt,u as
professor which chaFes a. facts if they
SAVIOR OF the commonplace. We want to
be homer!c II our history without the
accessories OF distance aud age.
A peaceful revolution IS as glorious as
bloody one. The var OF the Revolution
was not great one In the sense OF num-
beers engaged. property and lives sacri-
heed or exhibition OF military tactics. II
was the best the country could do IN i,s
infancy, and the results were greet. L.
Is not patriotic virtue II falsify history
70 CRAFTY national pride. We have
enough TO be proud OF IN the real facts
Inc condemnation of Mr. Lurton i
unwlse. He will know better thqn ~
belIttie men who did So much with tho
means at their disposal. No doubt he
had been led to believe when a boy that
they had done more. Just as dsyont
christians beileve that the civilization of
the present was ushered IL comnletalv
developed at the opening of tue chrIst,sn
era. The Milwaukee PEOPLE will fnd
many, many things IN their schools mora
deserving OF cansure than Mr. lIurtOn's
perverslon OF history which has in il n
germ OF truth, and which 10 no sense de-
tracts from tue glory Of the revolution
Ii they want TO improve their schools -
and their is abundant room for lmproye
ment IN theirs rs vel as IN other CITY
schools = there are many more effective
ways open than that of irving their
teachers on charges of heresy.