Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-20

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IMAGE OF A NOBLE SPIRIT.
Shame on those who write such DOCKS
and triple shame on those who foist them
upon their innocent children! IL may DC
that the power is not In Us to witnstanu
the trend Of the times. Ana YET we ~
know that I'm the coming years, wnen' ~
her own high atmosphere, the Muse OF
History shall depict the central figure OF
our fallen cause; II will not be In the
slmlitude OF prowling fox-preossory 80, 81,
life and AFFECT In death-put rathsr NJ
there arise before us-serene III na.ise
majesty-the august and pathetic ifnase
of a noble spirit tried by every extremity
OF fortune. yet faithful to the enc. Inc
image of
"A great man struggling mid the storms
And greatly falling with a falling State"
SONS SHOULD HONOR FATHERS.
Captain Cussons was loudly applauded
when he concluded; indeed. ne was ire
quently interrupted during his ADDRESS
with outbursts OF enthusiastic approval.
when the applause subsidized, Professor
John p. Mcclure was introduced. He
said 1t had been a bitter grief to him to
have the youth of this land taught con-
corning the deeds of their ancestors by
those who hated those ancestors In the
days in which those deeds were done.
Delying into ancient history. the speaker
asked IL any conquered people mad ever
left the writing of their history to their
conquerors.
Let northern people teach their sons
10 honor their fathers" ne continued
"but let us do likewise. The boy VINO Is
not taught this lesson-the boy who is
left to entertain doubts concerning the
righteousness of his fathers deeds-wlii
be a graceless man. l desire that north
ern boys be taught to honor their IA
theirs: demand that ours be so taught.
Professor Mcclure at this point In his
speech alluded TO the histories now in use
in our schools. The use of these his
tories" he said, as not necessary. There
has not since 1868 been a time when we
did not have q number OF truth-telling
histories. No southern man Is afraid OF
the truth. IL is what We want. Ii Is
what we desire our young shall be taught
The only plea entered in behalf OF these
northern histories is that they can DE
taught and at the same time the errors
in them contained can be corrected.
This, Professor Mcclure said. was poor
plea indeed. He then at some length
pointed out the most glazing untruths OF
the northern histories which have been
thrust upon them, and said that fire.
uuently he had been deeply impressed
and at times angered by the lack or
LOYALTY or reverence for the southern SOL
der and the southern cause or the youth
who nave obtained their knowledge OF
this soldier and this cause from study
OF Barness History.
Taking the high ground that in permit
ting these 'doctored" histories to be
taught in our southern schools. we nave
betrayed trust reposed In us by those
who fell on our battle-fields. he closed
with a glowing tribute to Lee ana the
noble heroes who followed him.
WHAT WE DO WANT.
Colonel W. Gordon McCabe followed
Professor Mcclure. he made snort
talk, in which he suggested that having
found out what we don't want 1t De
hooved US to agree upon just what we DO
want He told of the various good and
true histories to be had, and said he
thought ii would be unwise to adopt any
one of them 10 the exclusion of the others
"What we want to get rid OF" he ex-
planned rs the book that teaches tnat
the South fought TO continue slavery, and
that the North fought from the high and
exalted motive OF patriotism and loyalty
to the government"
Colonel McCaDe suggested that while
it was essential that we should have
truthful and proper school histories, II
would also be an excellent idea for the
various Confederate organizations to- be-
gin the distribution and PRONUNCIATION of
literary truths throughout the South.
The speaker took a most optimistic view
OF the situation, and said that the terms
rebels, traitors" etc, as applied to us
fifteen years ago by northern folks, had
died out. except as applied to those
dastards who had left the South and
gone North. and said they believed they
were wrong and were sorry for 1t"
NO TENDER OF LEES SWORD.
Colonel McCabe closed with beauti-
full and eloquent peroration, and when
the applause that was accorded him
died away. Mr.. Thomas ID. Jeffres, OF
Boydton, took the floor, and called at
tention TO the statements which have
frequently been made concerning the al
legged surrender by General Lee OF his
sword to General Grant. He said he had
taken II upon himself TO correct this
statement or impression by writing a let
ter to General Grant and rad received
a reply from that officer, saying there
had been no tender of General Lees
sword and no demand had been made
upon him therefor.
Colonel Theodore S. Garnett, Of Nor
folk. was called for. He asked to be ex-
cused from talking. and said he was con-
fdent that the History Committee OF the
Grand Camp would reach conclusions
that would be satisfactory to all.
CAMERON ON FALSE HISTORIES.
Ex-Governor William f.. Cameron was
the next speaker called to the rostrum
He revealed in the fact that movement
had crystallized to put down false MS
tories He was glad. he said, that Viz
ginians had taken the initiative, and not
withstanding that there had been OBJ
stacles in the way OF introducing this
much-needed reform. he thanked God that
the reform was now about to be executed
Touching upon the books at hand that
from a southern standpoint are teach
able. Governor Cameron said all Of them
needed revision along certain lines. All
OF them are. he said, unimpeacbable as
regards sentiment, but all need some re-
vision by those qualified 10 do so, in order
to bring them Up 10 the proper standard
for educational purposes. What ought
TO be done he said is to have the edu-
Gators secure the best textbook they can
from an educational standpoint. but TO
caution them not to relinquish one jot
or little OF the southern sentiment, or
the truth as it is viewed by Confederates.
DIR. JONES SCORES THEM
Rev. DR.. j. William Jones was the
next ex-Confederate called upon to talk.
He made. as is his custom when speak
ing on Confederate subjects, most
vigorous and earnest talk, pouring hot
shot into the various histories that have
been foisted on southern schools. He
paid his respects to Swinton's History
and literally tore Barnes's TO pieces
'.These histories" he said, mot only be-