New-York tribune., 1897-07-11
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
ENGLISH INFLUENCES ON AMERICA.

A SUGGESTION FOR DIFFERENT SPIRIT OF
HrsroRY-rEAcHINo IN THE SCHOOLS.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: on the Glorious Fourth was talking with
a very young lady OF this State atcut our English
origin 7 said "Our country gets its being from
EngMshmen." At this the very young lady became
angry and said. among other things: our country
would be better off II all the English sympathizers
went TO live in England.
Thus 1t occurs TO me that history in our public
schools is not so well taught as 1t might be-
have long thought that too exclusive attention is
paid to American history. And still think so.
But the main evil, now think. lice In the manner
of its teaching. That is to say. 1t 10 taught chieny
from the political .de-the side on which the con-
duct of the English Government was bameworthy.
In consequence the children form moral judg-
ment Of England and condemn that country Dis
approval, disgust and even hatred are engendcred.
And If ever the child in growing learns how much
of spirit and feeling and institutional life we owe
to England. Acknowledgements thereof Is made but
grudgngly. The truly American spirit seems to
be hatred for England.
take II this is unjust. We are true Americans
in proportion as We arc true English charac-
ter. Tho ideals the efforts. the qualities Of soul
which have made England great are those that
have made us great Nor is their effectiveness yet
ended.
l suppose that n wiser way would be to give the
younger children concrete pictures Of the life OF
Englishmen in farm and town. fret in England.
then In America. The pictures should be OF sort
to make the children live with them the life they
represent. The pictures OF the life in England
should show the best qualities Of Engllshmen. The
pictures of life in America should show those same
qualities. exercised and developed In changed
dtions The aim should be to show that the colo
nists were Engllshmen. living their English lives
according TO English notions. and developing Eng
.ish institutions In America. l expect. when this
is done. the English heart in the American chill
dren will glow with admiration OF those men, and,
according TO the measure Of their power OF under
standing political relations. Will burn with zeal
for those institutions. II, then. the children are
fathers expect the admiration will turn pride
and devout thanksgiving.
When the policy Of George III Is discussed and
the feeling of injustice Is aroused II will be ndig
nation at Injustice done to Eng,lshmen. 1t will
be hatred for the English people; IL will rather
Englishman Here will be opportunity OF pointing
out the mperfections IN the English character It's
Weaknesses and dangers and It's lacks both in Eng
land and America. For 1t is well wo should know
our weakness as well az our strength, and Judge
the weakness In true relation TO the strength
In brief. let pictures OF English life and charac-
ter and institutions he given In a spirit OF sym
pathy toward things English. Let It be borne in
mind that our institutions. character and life are
by derivation English So, ! apprehend we shall
rear better Americans. because truer 10 fact more
intelligent and broader In sympathics.
have purposey avoided details And / have said
nothing new. Wise and good teachers are SO teach
Ing as ! have tried 10 Indicate: but not as many
are thus teaching as / could wish. II. therefore,
you publish this some others may be led 10 think
ARTHUR WYONE SHAW
Narragansett Pier, X. l.. July 5, 1897.