Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-01

thCSe purposes, ma can anu " so -.
another OF great value--that agency -
our leading southern universities. Ihey
1--we tho means, the prestige. the appn-
snces, the undying lifo.9 they could put
work into immediate operation. ana con.
tinue II forever. We, therefors, susee5'
towing plan: That every university III
the South established q chair OF American
history: that this chair bc not o'erioaceu
with additional work. but us occupan,
he allowed leisure, ana be proViueu WIN
appliances for historical investigation
and authorship; that the occupant OF TINS
chair be, selected with special reference
10 his fitness for historical autnorship,
and also for inspiring students WIN
spirit OF original historical investigation
that the Chair OF American History in
clude n comprehensive course, embracing
not only the history OF the United states,
but also the history OF the entire AmeIi-
can continent. which should De tauBnt IN
a manner suited to matured minds, lead
ing them 20 original investigation. Inc
Inauguration OF such a course In our
southern universities. leading 10 run
comprehension OF the history, geography,
and relations OF the various members ol
the American continent, would give thc
coming generation OF southern youth Il
broad knowledge, which would bring 10
the south a benefit which need not be
enlarged on.
TO HAVE HISTORY TAUGHT.
We. therefore, recommend and urge;
J. That the association recompleni u
the Legislatures Of the several southetn
States TO provide. in the puDllc-schooi
course. for teaching the history OF the
native State one year. and also for teach
ing The history of the United states one
year. ana for the establishment ana sup
port of a chair Of American history IN tne
State university, or In some suitable
state institutions: and also for enccuf-
aging the preparation OF State school his
tories
2 That the association recommend that
all private schools and academies make
provision for teaching the history or
the native state one year, and the MS
tory OF the United States one year.
g. That the association appoint suitable
committees 10 memorable the several
Legislatures and authorities Of universi-
ties and schools. and TO request the CO.
operation of State historical socieuea'
state literary socie ties, the press, etc.
SCHOOL HISTORIES.
/ The Importance of placing and teach
ing impartial and accurate histories OF
the United States in all our schools can
not be Overestimated nor exagSeratcu.
With this end in view, at the FORMER
meeting Of this committee. the following
solution was adopted:
.''ro select such OF existing school his
tories as are truthful and just IN their
statements in reference TO the causes ana
facts OF the late war, ana recommend the
same for use in all our schools III oruei
of preference If possible, and practical
. In pursuance of this resolution your
committee has grouped al existing = o
ries under three heads; 81 Those written
and pubnshe1 in the North pionouncediy
unfair 10 the south, her institutions, ana
her part in history; ID Those written ana
published in the North apparently iair IN
their treatment of southern questions;
(S) Those written and published in the
South.
These works were for the most part
issued i'm the first ten or nlteen years
following the close Of the late
war. and reflect in full the sen
timent then generally prevailing over
the northern section of our country;
Dictated BY prejudice and prompted
by the evil passions OF that ume
had not then softened, they need not De
considered by the committee.
GROUP 2-NCRTHERN HISTORIES Ar
PARENTLY FAIR
4 number of the books belonging 10
Group l have been either ta) IeSiseu am
emo sculated in their effort 10 curry faVor
with the textbooks patrons OF botn sec
tons. OF (b) separate editions made LOT
northern and sol thern schools. 10 theSe
have been added u number OF WoIks pun
liehed in recent years which, avoiding
dnX D0SllINt sttbtDtili utl'f t+ASiS ~ ~
South. studiously suppress every TACT OF
American history upon which the justice
of the southern cause and purity OF mo-
tive of southern political leaders are
based. (c) Histories written and PUBLISH
ed at the North, in which an honest EFFORT
is made to do Justice 10 the South. WINE
some of these histories contain many eN-
cellent features, they ignore many Iacts
which the South, as section, taxes a
natrlotlc pride in. and they fail TO present
the distinctive features IF southern CIVIL
cation with force and fidelity, or 10 give
1ue prominence to the work done by the
South as d factor in the Union. We are
gratified 10 note that several OF these MS
tories have been revised so as 10 exclude
Objectionable expressions and TO include
facts of history favorable TO the south,
which have heretofore been ignored, anu
we hope that the time Is not Tar distant
when writers Of history from either sec
ton viii take pride and pleasure In pre-
senting with cordially and enthusiasm
the distinctive work OF each section as a
factor of our common country.
We believe that the records or the ma
ton contain many neglected facts OF his
tory. which. when clearly presented, VIII
not only justify the motives and purpos
of the South as a section, but will tend
to promote kindly feelings between the
sections and TO instill sentiments of pa
triotsm and mutual respect. For such
reasons we are unwilling that facts OF
history of which the South has just righl
10 be proud shall be omitted in the in
struction of our children.
GROUP 3-SOUTHERN HISTORIES
This group constitutes a small number
Of published works which have been ex-
amined with reference TO the following
points:
!. Is the history value impaired by in
accuracy, or by an overdrawn, eXagge
rated narrative Of events, in which self
glorihcation takes the place of calm state
ment of the whole truth, which alone Is
necessary to support the position OF the
South In national affairs?
g Do they compare in typographical op
pearance with other attractive histories
3. Are they practical teaching text
boo,-s?
l. In illustrations do they give equa
prominence to events and individuals Of
the South, and to those Of the North?
g. In the treatment OF the American
Revolution do they do full justice to the
men of the South In the field and forum
and do they make the point that the wal
was for independence and self-govern
ment and that the southern, people wer,
animated by these principles in the las
war?
g. Are the questions of sovereignty anC
slavery dispassionately treated?
T. Do they touch fully the Importance
and in most cases predominant part takei
by southern men In the Revolution; In tbs
constitutional convention; in shaping tn
affairs of the government; in eX
tending the domain of the United States
to our present limits: in maintg ming oui
national honor and credit abroad. and ir
properly presenting the characteristics o.
southern life and civilization?
$. DO they denominate the last war 2
"ro llion." instead of conflict between
the states?
9. In giving truthful narration of tn,
events of the civil war do they exhibi
the unparalleled patriotism manifested by
the southern people in accepting its re
suits, and the courage and perseverance
displayed by them in building up theii
shattered homes and ruined estates?
BOOKS THAT ARE ENDORSED.
In the opinion OF this committee. these
are some OF the most important feature:
necessary TO an accurate and imrarta
history OF the United States We ar,