Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-27
Jones's "schOol History of the United
States, and Northern Critics.

10 the Editor OF the Dispatch:
In your very kind and warmly ap-
preciated review Of my new school his
tory some weeks ago, you said: THE
author, in his preface, processes to write
! as southerner and for southern schools,
and the phraseology and headlines have
been conformed TO a great extent 10 that
idea, thereby unfortunately circumscrib-
ing the benehcence OF the work. We regret
this, for the truthfulness and accuracy
OF the narrative Is as we'll adapted TO
northern as 10 southern students, and We
wish il could be generally read among
northern ard European youth"
New, with thanks for your very kind
criticism, please allow me TO say that
had no idea. in preparing my history
that It would ever fnd a place in north
ern schools. or to any extent in northern
families They do not use school books
by southern authors up there. We have
now about twelve school histories OF the
United States by southern authors-some
OF them SO toned down and colorless that
there would seem 10 reason why north
ern schools should not use them-and yet.
IL one Of them ever found a place IA a
northern school have not heard OF It
We have had other admirable text
books by southern authors-such as
Maury's Biographies, Venable's Arith-
metics, Sanford's Mathematical Series,
Holiness Readers, etc.-but they have
never obtained a foothold in northern
schools.
DR.. John A. Broadus's great book on
1.-THE Preparation and Delivery OF Ser
mons" has been extensively used as r.
textbook in England. but l know OF no
northern theological seminary that has
adopted It, though there IL. OF course.
nothing sectional in the book.
And an fully rccOgnfzfn0 that fhere yuaa
| scarcely a possibility OF the book ever
being used at the North, even though l
should try TO tone IL down TO meet north
| ern preJudices. / determined from the
| first that / would try TO tell 'the truth.
the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth" and without the slightest regard
to what northern critics might think OF
It l was prepared, therefore, 20 be
severely criticised by their ultra papers,
and in this / have not been wholly dis
appointed. The Philadelphia Press. in a
review of three columns, alternates be-
/ tween ridicule and abuse of the imperti-
nent rebel" who has dared to write a
history OF the United States for southern
/ schools, and daTes TO give a Confederate
version OF the war. L. denounces the
work as that OF IAN unreconstructed
rebel. designed for the misinformatIon OF
budding rebels" Other ultra papers are
! equally severe, anu some more COhSeINd-
tive papers grow very pious in deploring
| the harm that must come from the use
| OF such a book In our schools e., they
| insist that our southern youth should be
fed indefinitely on the historic pabulum
which Is furnis he'd by northern authors
and publishers.
But | confess 10 no small surprise at
finding some most favorable criticisms
in northern papers. criticisms which do
I orrH
award him credit tor success In trying 20
do Justice to all sections Of our common
country.
With your kind permission, / will quote
a few Of these criticisms which may at
least serve. with some Of your readers,
10 relieve the constant din Of the present
political fight.
The Inter-Ocean. Chicago. closes a
very appreciatlve notice by saying: Per
haps no better man could be chosen 10
ACCOMPLISH this task for the South than
Rev. DR.. Jones. He IS a scholarly man,
was a soldier, and a chaplain during the
entire war, and has made a speciality CT
historical themes. The history-asde
from its tender spot, human slavery and
the unconstitutional acts OF the enamel
nation. and an occasional special fling at
some northern generals fair, clear and
pointed. and from literary STANDPOINT
admirably told. 1t cannot do less tnan
please the South, for 1t is both good his
torv In the main, and panders to that
natural pride Of the South common 10
brave people" ,.-,.,-
The Minneapolis Tribune says: This
new history has at least one advantage
over the textbooks in common use. III
considering the civil war and other mat
ters in which he North and South
differed. both sides are treated with
equal justice, and, although the author
IS a southerner. neutrality Is preserved
throughout the book
"a history Of such kind cannot fail
TO be appreciated. II includes all Ameri-
cas- history, from her discovery to the
present time, and is a complete review
OF all OF our nations life. While not
going into detail, II IL not at all mere
reciter OF facts. but rather story OF
facts Az textbook this history Is
equal TO. II not better, than most OF those
I'm use and can be safely recommended.
The Christian Herald of Detroit, Mich,
closes long and very compi-
mentary review by saying: Taken
as a whole. the book is an eminently lar
statement, from a southern point o!
view. of the eventful history or the
United States OF America. Thirty years
after the days and events preceding
/ ana the great iNot.A go ~ 49,
passionately studied. This volume. with
lis wealth of data, excellent arrange
ment, fairness of tone and breadth oil
view, might well be studied in mere than
the Southern States. But, perhaps
that Is too much 10 expect Just yet. Get
tho book and give II reading for the
sake Of the new Information to be
gained"
The New York Commercial Advertiser
closes its review by saying: The writel
has certainly compiled an exhaustive
history, and 1t will, therefore, be usefu
both In the school and the library II
is concise. comprehensive. and interest
ing. Moreover, IL brings the narrative
up to date. II will thus be seen that u
is unique in its scope. There Is a grea
deal about the War OF the Rebellion
and a shrewd review OF political events
since that time. The book will take ~
place among the best histories OF thu
country produced In the present genera
| tiou."
The New York School Journal. In an ap-
! pgeclative notice. says: ..Whps the