The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
SOUTHERy HISTORY.
What Has Been Done by tho Committee oil
the United Confederate Veterans
Editor of The Times:


Editor of The Times:
Sir.-Please allow me 10 say that In
your recent admirable editorials and ellp-
pings from other papers, on Southei II
History" there has not been brought
out as fully and clearly az the facts war
rant what has already been done 10 WIZ
dictate the truth OF Confederate history,
and to furnish material LOT TIE iutuio
The History Committee Of the United
Confederate Veterans (Which IS coh-
posed OF one member from each SOuth-
ern State, and OF which Gen. >. ~ Lse'
of Miss, is the able and efficient Cnali =
mani has been In existence Tor ABOUT
four years, has devoted itself more es-
uecially TO the selecting or school MS
tories OF the United States suitable 10
be taught in Southern schools, ana mas
presented annually at the Reunion Oh
United Confederate Veterans very aDie
reports. -
In their first report at Birmingham. IN
1894 they laid down the following Iequl-
sites for school histories TO be suitable
for Southern schools: -.
lis the historic value impaired by
inaccuracy, or by an oyerdrawn, eA-
aggerated narrative of events, In whlch
sell Rlorincation takes the place or calm
statement Of the whole truth, when alone
Is necessary to support the posiuoh VI
the South in national affairs?
2. 10 lIty NolApiit ~
appearance with other attractive hlsto-
3. Are they practical teaching text
4. In Illustrations do they give equal
prominence to events ana indivlduals VI
the South as TO those or the NorthE
5. In the treatment Of the American rev.
olution. do they do full justice 70 TIE
men of the South in the field and forum
and do they make the point that the
war was for independence ana seI gov
eminent, and that the Southern people
were animated by these principles IN the
s. Are the questions OF sovereignty ana
slavery dispassionately treated!
7. Do they touch fully the Importance
and in most cases predominant part
taken by Southern men III the reVoiu-
ton: in the constitutional convention; III
shaping the affairs of the government ,
I'm extending the domain OF the united
states TO our present limits; in MAIN
tanning our national honor and credit
abroad. and in properly presenting the
characteristics OF Southern life and civil
ization?
8. Do they denomlnate the last war
a rebellion instead OF al conflict be-
tween the States?
O. In giving truthful narration Oh ,ns
events of the civil war, the unparalleled
patriotism manifested by the southern
neople I'm accepting its results, and the
courage and perseverance displayed by
them in building up their shattered
homes and ruined estates?
AS meeting these conditions more OF
less fully the committee has recommend
ed and the convention has endorsed
eleven school histories OF the united
States. written by Southern authors-the
last addition to the list being those OF
Mrs. Susan z. Lee, published by b. r.
Johnson Co., Richmond. and Or. J. WIN.
Jones, published by X. II. WOODWARD
Co.. Baltimore.
The committee holds Itself ready 10
examine other histories as they may De
published and to add TO their hst such
as may come up TO the very nlsh s'dhu-
ard they have laid down.
1t would seem, therefore, that with
n list OF eleven school histories APPROX
ed by the Confederate veterans. on rec
ommendation OF their able committee.
Southern teachers could select DOCK
suitable for the school room which does
not falsify the truth Of history.
This committee has. also. been urging
the preparation and circulation OF books
for general reading which should vim
dictate the name and fame OF our Con
federate cause. leaders and people and
In their last report at Richmond they
gave a list OF over 100 such books.
They are, Of coure, Of different grades