Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-04

very great extent, calculated to produce
such an estrangement on the part Of
the southern youth. They were being in
structed that their fathers were trail
tors and rebels. insurrectionists who plot
ted against the national life, and, there
fore. unworthy OF their love and respect.
The effect OF such teaching az this IL
less apt TO inspire southern youth with
shame for their ancestors, since they
are familiar with the noble and stainless
character OF the former leaders Of their
people-characters which other nations
have rightly considered honorable t,nd
glorious, than on the other hand 10
arouse revolt against such false and un-
just prescription, to perpetuate a feeling
OF separation from the rest OF the coun-
try. and chill the glowing fires OF ma
tional patriotism.
The effort 10 secure truthful teaching
OF history is founded in no desire TO per-
petuate bitterness, but rather to teach
American youth the contending armies
Of North and South, each believing them
selves In the right. each fought not only
for the moral right. but for the existing
law as they understood II, and that
therefore. every self-denying decd. every
patriotic death. is alike to be treasured
AMI beloved.
We can but pity the narrowness or
blindness Of those who see ia the move
ment which eliminated in secession 90
thing but a conspiracy against govern
ment, revolt against lawful authority.
Such a view degrades the man who holds
II more than the conscientious and brave
men who believed in 1861 that paramount
allegiance was due TO the State rather
than the United States.
To says that the war was fought for
the abolition OF slavery Is n SANDER
upon the soldiers of both armies as well
as upon the great men who shaped the
course OF events at Washington and at
Richmond The great question bequeath-
ed 10 US. unsolved by the founders
OF the republic, whether this was
nation or a league OF sovereign States
had to be solved some day. and the fatal
duty came to our generation. We utterly
deny that the American people, alone
among civilized nations, were incom-
petent to abolish slavery without war.
SECTIONAL HISTORY.
Your committee recognize that no sec
tlonal history is wanted in the schools
Of this country, and they desire to have
no history taught in the schools OF the
South but what ought to be taught in
the schools of the nation everywhere
lHey WOuiQ DC more imam WllliiB 10 nave
the facts taught without comment II
such course were possible. But they
protest against the presumption OF those
historians who teach their own views as
Gods truth on all doubtful questions,
and especially where such teaching Is
of nature calculated to ALLEVIATE the
affections of the southern people from
the nation of which they are loyal citi-
zens. The historian must, indeed, en-
deavor to write the truth as he sees It.
Nothing is to be gained by a colorless
compromise of opinions about matters
as to which the facts may be ascertain
ed. The teacher must also teach what
he believes to be true. For that very
reason 1t Is not expected that southern
teachers will instruct the children that
their fathers were traitors and rebels
and Il would be curse to the nation IL
they did. The southern people desire TO
retain from the wreck in which their
constitutional views. their domestic in
stitutions, the mass of their property,
and the lives of their best and bravest
were lost, the knowledge that their con-
duct was honorable throughout and that
their submission at last to overwhelming
numbers and resources in no way black
ened their motives or established the
wrong OF the cause for which they
fought.
1t is not to be expected that those who
fought on the southern side viii admit
that they were wrong simply because
they were beaten, or that the highest
and noblest purposes of their lives are
worthy of the execration of mankind.
The nation cannot afford 10 have the
people of the South lose their self-re-
spect or the future citizens of that large
and most promising section of the coun-
try brought up without that pride in
their ancestors which leads TO noble and
patriotic action. Those who endeavor to
undermine the faith of the southern
youth in their ancestors. and to per-
petuate teaching in this country which
indicts whole people, an integral part
of the nation, for treason and rebellion.
are the real enemies OF the republic
the plotters against its glory and the
perpetuation of its liberties How short
sighted are those who think IL contri-
butes to the glory of the Union soldier
to make odious the brave men they over
came; remembering the victories of both.
each army is made moro glorious by
every deed of valor, every act of pure
and consecrated heroism exhibited by
the other. The soldiers OF the Union,
having the prestige of success, can afford
TO be generous in this matter. They
have, of all others. most to lose by in
voking upon the southern soldier the con-
demnation of history.
Your committee is of the opinion that
it is desirable and advisable that in
future no more school histories or his
torcal works of any sort receive their
official condemnation. They have sug-
gested list of books for library pur-
poses, useful as materials for writing
history with a correct understanding OF
the motives and feelings OF the southern
people before. during, and Immediately
after the civil war, and Of the events
themselves as they were understood to
be by that people. To this list 1t may be
well 10 add others from time to time.
But your committee cannot undertake
to indorse historical works as true or
recommend them as containing the real
history of the greatest events in our
country's past, and will not presume to
do so. Apart from the danger OF error,
10 embark on such course would be TO
make discrimination between deserving
works Your committee cannot under
take TO read all new histories, and pre-
mare an index of works they consider
good or bad, n matter which only ex-
perts would be fit to pass upon, even sup
posing such a list desirable; and they
recognize the injustice of preferring one
purpose, in view of the great unfairness
OF the current school histories, when
your committee was first organized, GER
tain school books were recommended 10
counterfeit great eYll. we are happy
70 note a marked Improvement in the
spirit Of fairness displayed by school his
tories and do not think 1t will be neces-
sary hereafter for your committee TO
specify school books as specially deserv-