Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-24

for accomplishment. and then shows In
clear and sufficient detail the execution OF
the plan. 1t summarizes the results OF
each important battle. and shows the ell
fects on each sice. IL IL characterized
by spirit OF a!rness that is worthy OF
commentator. Its praise OF southern
leaderships and southern valor Is I'M
stnted.
It's defects are rather those OF omis-
sion. 1t fails 10 give prominence to the
fact that there existed from the auop-
ton Of the Constitution two views OF
the powers Of the General Government
and OF its relations to the States COM
prising the Union-that these views az
fected In many ways the Subsequent
history Of our country-and that this OH.
ference Of view was the Fundamental
cause Of the final Supture. IL fails TO
emphasize the fact that the idea OF Sc
cesson WAS universal In the country IN
the early stages OF the new government,
and that the earliest efforts TO put TINS
idea into practical operation occurred
in the New England and other Northern
States. 1t intimates, rather than says.
that secession was peculiarly southern
idea. II Is always respectful in speak
ing OF the South. yet it is written from
the standpoint of the Union"-the
and so gives color 10 the charge that TIE
South rebellsd 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 10 the use
OF language so ornate and rhetorical as
to be above the capacity Of the learner
SHINN'S HISTORY.
In "Shinn's History" the story Of the
country is we'll told. The style and Ian
guage make it, so far as can be judged
without the actual test of the school
room. a book well adapted for use in 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:
1t contains a great variety of useful
and interesting information. It's spirit
OF fairness is distinctly marked, yet now
and then its southern feeling turns the
even scale of the impartial judge. IL
treats more fully than usual the historic
events Of the South-especially its Indian
wars. II is wanting In questions and
pronouncing vocabulary. The treat
ment Of the early history is more inter
esting than that OF Barness-and is bet
ter calculated 10 arouse the interest OF
the children.
1t gives more fully the facts in the his
tory of the country bearing on the
position of the South in the Union.
II sets forth clearly the great questions
on which parties have constantly d.
vided--the two views of the powers Of the
General Government the tariff. and the
slavery questions--and shows the con-
stancy of the South and Its justification.
1t traces the effects OF these IDEAS as
they are gradually unfolded in the sub
seuuent history and shows the South
always to have been long-suffering
loyal 70 the Constitution, and lovers OF
the Union: and that the act of secession
was simply the exercise or constitu-
tional right-an exhibition of the highest
loyalty to constitutional freedom. and not
an act Of pettish discomfort. Rebellion,
under this treatment. could not be
thought OF in connection with the South.
THE OTHER HISTORIES.
'Hansers History" is a very superior
book OF reference. No book with which
we are familiar presents more clearly
and forcibly the great questions of our
history But we do not think II well
adapted to the requirements Of our dis
trict schools.
We have not thought it necessary TO
make any detailed report as to "Holmes's
History" since IL was used for a number
OF years in our schools and found i'll
suited TO our wants.
When our textbook on history was Sc
lected. some years ago. there were in
existence no school histories that pre-
scented satisfactory statement of the
story of our country. We selected
Barness as better adapted 10 our wants
than any we could find. Now, there are
several suitable ones.
While, therefore. we recognize the ex-
cellencies of Barnes's, we think that a
change is desirable. in order that we may
secure a better presentation of the great
facts of our history. that the real posi-
ton of the South may be presented TO
our children. and in response TO gene
raj public demand for a change
In case Of change we recommend the
use Of Shinn. We recommend, further,
that Lees. Hanseps. and Barnes's
histories be put on the desk of each
teacher Of history as works Of reference
Respectfully submitted
THE SUPERINTENDENT AND PRIN-
CIPALS OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The board having adopted "Shinn's His
tory" determined TO make the change
when the schools reorganze for the
spring work, in February "Shinn's
History" was written by Mr.. j. II. Shinn,
superintendent of Public instruction of
the State of Arkansas.