The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-17
w. 3. kENDRIcK, Aqent,
Raleigh, n G.
HANSELL 8,
Chambers Histories.

From Hon. T. r JernfgaB, Raleigh, N c.:
The history Of the United States, by Henry
r. chambers, is the first boox Of the kind
ever issued by Southern publishing house.
In the preface to the primary edition this
TACT is referred to with ''pardonable nFidep
ana aIll lt y Just cause for pride. The me-
pleasant 10 the touch, the tyre clear and
distinct, and the entire performance reflects
great credit upon the University Publish
ing company The first OF the series, known
as Hansellfs Historical Series, is intended
Tor beginners in history. The second is a
larger number, prepared for more advanced
students; each comprehensive and intelIi-
cent In aim. The arrangement for impress
ing the lessons upon the mind of the stu.
dent IS specially excellent in two essential
respects; me preliminary geographical
questions to the chapters emphasizing the
close connection between history M q geor
raphy, and the questions so wordedas to re-
qulre oTher answers than yes r"non 1t
IS only necessary TO indicate this much of
the arrangement to show that Mr. Cham
Ders understands how history should be
taught, and the whole plan Is in no part dis
appointing. 1t is said that some Of our
schO0I histories are unfair to the south.
When such appear the history merits
prompt condemnation and rejection Our
boys should be taught the truth and no
D0Ok should be used Ia any OF the schools
OF this country that Is unfair to any section
OF 1t. Mr. Chambers hist ry will success.
fully pass the ordeal of the examination.
These words, from the chapter on Leaving
the Union, prove that the author views
And so these states that have stood to-
gether ever since they were struggling col
onies, that had fought and suffered togeth-
CT for their separate independeT &c, were
soon arrayed against each other. Neither
side would yield, and both we're ready to
fight for what they thought to be right, as
Americans have always done before Them
such a sentiment Is full of the lessons Of
good citizenship. for If the rising genera.
t1on = 70 be taught in our schools that one
third of their ctuntrymen are the descend-
ants of traitors there will be deaPfh or
good citiZt ms in th future. The seed of dis.
trust thus implanted in the mind Of the
young viii produce a harvest of destructive
agencies to good government.
The larger number is divided into FIVE
periods, a. d each period into subdivisions,
and these into chapters. The saying that
our boys leave school with a better knowl-
edge of the constitutions Of other countries
than Of their own, need no longer to ap
proximate the truth, il the history by Mr..
Chambers is placed in their hands as text
book. The events which led to the declara-
ton Of Independence and its achievement
are linked together with singular simplicity
and YlYtdness, keeping before the student
the causes and strengthening and broaden
ing his mind by untaxing it wftlp unneces,
sary details in the intoxicating underlying
principles These chapters on the forma.
tive period of our history are to be most
highly commended. They teach how diff.
cult it was to rear the fabric of our free
government. ana unerringlv point to pa
triOifsm as the main cOrner-stOne--the great
cardinal virtue which must preserve it.
North Car0liniaDs wi ] thank Mr.. Cham
beers foPaccording to their State the meri-
ted honor Of having first declared indepen-
dence He says: THE news Of Lexington
had scar eely reached North Carolina when
the patriots Of Mecklenburg county assem-.
bled in convention at Charlotte, and passed
formal esolutions May 20, 1851 that we're
virtual declaration of independence"
And again: "In April, l776, North Carolina
took the first pronounced step towards the
independence of all the colonies, by en-
towering her delegates in Congress TO con-
cur with the delegates from the otner colo
MES in declaring indepep dence And the
Southern people will til ank him for his ac
curate accounts Of the battles fought in the
South during the period of the revolution
an omission in some histories that impair
their value.