The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-06-04

SECTIONAL HISTORIES.

SECIlONAL HlS1ORlES.
More than twenty years ago we be-
gan to write about sectional histories
and the importance of having histories
of the United States prepared in
manly and honest spirit, with full
purpose to do justice to both the
South and the North in the great war.
We discussed several Northern books
before 1875 ended, that were over
flowing with falsehood and venom to-
wards the South. 1t is most impOr-
tan,, as we have often shown at length,
to have histories for the Southern
schools prepared with exceeding fair
ness, and all partisan, sectional and
lying books to be shut out. Thus far
in the South several school histories
have been prepared. Alexander H.
Stephens, of Georgia., prepared
good work and it is worthy Of being
taught in Southern schools. We no.
ticed some time ago a work by an Ar
kansas teacher that is, we think, excel
lent for its size. a few days ago we
called attention to school history Of
merit prepared by two Southern teach
ers and supplemented by Professor E.
A. Alderman, of the University of
North Carolina, with fifty page
sketch of this State. We wish briefly
to call attention to work prepared by
a Virginian, Mrs. Susan Pendleton
Lee, and published by B. F. Johnson
Publishing company, Richmond, Va.
We have looked cursorily over it, we
have not read it, and cannot person.
ally avouch its fairness or excellence.
1t is a largesized "History Of the
United States,' with more than GOO
pages, most copiously illustrated, and
most highly Endorsed. These indorse-
ments are mul,itudinous and are from
all parts of the South-from edit rs,
educators, ministers of the Gospel,
ex-Confederate soldiers, colleges,
academies, State Boards OF Education
and SO on. We have before us pages
of such Endorsements. If the work is
half SO deserving as these very numer-
Gus Endorsements would indicate it
must be work of much merit and
we'll deserving of special consideration
at the hands of all teachers and school
committees. 1t is larger work than
any yet attempted. Howison's ellis
tory of the United State" another
Virginian works as large or larger.
but it is more for the library perhaps
than for the common schools. 1t is a
work of considerable interest and indie
pendence, and shows wide sturdy
Lees history is cheap for its size and
character. 1t retalls at $3.50, is in.
troduced at S1.25. There is also a
smaller, unabridged work - Lees
Brief School History of the United
States: 42o pages; retail price 90 cents
Introductory price IS cents; exchange
price 60 cents. This is just the history
for schools where the allotted time to
the study of history is not sufficient to
study the advanced. This work con
tains numerous maps and large mum
Der of illustrations; the mechanical ex
eculion being equal or superior to any
now on the market.
There are numerous testimonial
from North Carolina teachers anc
others. Maj. Graham Dawes gives i
cordial praise. What the South mus
do is to protect itself against SANDER:
and falsehoods and suppression of facts
If a Northern work is absolutely fai
and full in statement then it is not t
, be condemned. But the safe plan i
to give preference to Southern historic
broridea-they tell the whole trutl
and do not magnify the deeds Of on
State at the expense of all other State
, or 'spile it on" in the way of laudatiol
, upon one division while ignoring othe
commands every way equalling it
/ Napoleon held that "all history was
fable Much American and no littl
. Southern history as heretofore writes
! has teemed with falsehood and suppress
sion of facts, and has been as jus
= as an English biographer of Napoleon
and as untruthful in statement of fact
as Baron Munchausen when indulgin
, his finest fancy.-Wilmington Messen
r ger.