Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-15

hlICH.
thors propose TO write such book as
will serve to cultivate large patriotism
and eradicate sectionalism. This IS
doubtless a worthy motive. But pre-
conceived purpose In writing is the bane
of the historian. The great Scripture
models Indicate no purpose; they Simply
tell the naked truth. Reading the So
called history these gentlemen have gwen
us in the light Of their own announced
intention, we shall find that it has led
them again and again so 10 present lscl-
dents antagonistic 10 their purpose that
the real truth is not told. Many para
graphs in support OF this statement may
readily be selected. We respect tneir
purpose, but it has far mlsled them 50
that. to put it briefly, the book Is simply
not q history OF the country.
Acting upon the preconceived purpose TO
write q book that will cultivate a large
patriotism, they have 50 dealt with
the elements of strife between the North
and South as TO make il appear that 10
guilt or blame attached to either parry
that all differences arose naturally ana
innocently; that the war itself was the
logical outcome Of circumstances Of
growth and development for which the
parties engaged were not responsible,
and that It was not the result Of any
such hostile feeling on the one side as
any principle required the other 20 return
in kind. The preface, TO which allusiOn
has been especially made. and such para
graphs as 4l6. 519 etc, for example, SUE
fciently illustrate our meaning.
ERRORS POINTED OUT.
The book is clearly in error as
10 some very important matters, as for
instance. in so. But il Is with respect TO
and in consequence Of the effort 70 carry
out the apparently commendable purpose
with which 1t IS written that we are
compelled to say that it presents pic
ture utterly inconsistent with the truth.
It's principal errors thus concern matters
of right and principle as 10 winch IL Is
of the first and last importance that our
children should be rightly informed; ana
so they absolutely forbid IFS use III our
schools.
The book IL all the more pernicious be-
cause it's authors pose as southern men
Such may be the truth. but they certain
w do not teach the truth OF history rms
so-called history does not anywhere men
ton the names OF Generals hWeli' tilll'
Chatham. McLaws, Wheeler GORDON
Nor is there any record 'of the battles
If Rails Bluff General Lees v est VIZ
ginia campaign, Drewrys Bun Chah-
tilly. Shepherdstown' Forrest 49, It..,,ee,l %
NurfreesborO' Salem Church. EWelis
defeat OF Alilroy at Winchester. Inc de-
fence OF Fort Sumter for three years
The battle of Trevillans station ana hu-
merous other heavy ehsasehrll al" ~
considered unworthy of notice by these
Texas writer's The affair ~ the Merit
NC oH and Monitor is misleading and mac
ourote The story of the campaign or
lee and Grant in 1864 is a model OF in-
aI In fact. It IS difficult TO believe that
srnh compilation could be the WORK
Of southern men.
Iee,s and Jones's Histories.
FINALLY. with respect TO the Lees ana
Tones's histories They have been re-
examined by members Of the committee
and while we still regard them az the
bost ca far published, We are GLAD 70
l,,ov that new editions Of them have
hao, or are 10 be issued, and we recon-
mend IN the authors and publishers such
careful Improvements IN siyie anu at
ran1ement as their great merits HeseI 'e.
A much improved edil non 81 ol both of
yber however. as insufficient Tor tiie
bIeber classes in our schools and FOR col
legiate use. ,4, $1,000. e.,
the whole subject, we oner Tor your auop-
ton the following resolutions. III.
Resolved. l. That this committee AFTER
due examination and c0nsloerauoh OF We
merits Of the several histories recently
put upon the list by tne osa,J Dy .a,'i,, ~
Irducation for use in the pubhc schools
Of Virginia. earnestly protest against the
retention on the list Of the history by
professor John Fiske, OF cambridge,
Mass, and OF Cooper Estiii q ! lemon on
histories be eliminated from said liSt
D That in our judgment we cannot now
use northern histories IN southern schooki
and in action upon TINS reso.utio nv. W.
invite the cooperation OF the othef bia"u
camps of the South.
? THAT II IS recommended 10 our Con
federate camps" TO inquire INTO the cost
and expedlency Of publishing ana cir
culoting throughout the state sucn
Of nave
and now are being promulgated IN VIZ
ginia as will rouse the young people
falsely taught during the past years 70
attempt their own re-educatlon. ,,,-,.,,
4 And, as a suggestion 70 the Library
Committees OF our various camps, tndt
we recommend the reading OF the follow
ing books and papers;
"The Origin OF the Late War, by Mr.
George Lunt an attorney of Boston, pub
lished in 1866. appleton & Coz oook
to be read by our people even at cost
OF steps to be taken TO secure It's re-
publication.
paigns of Stonewall Jackson" the new
edition of which, II IS hoped, will be easily
within our reach.
sSThe Southern states of the American
Union" by J. l.. NJ Curry.
8 That the Grand Camp Of the Con-
federate Veterans Of Virginia earnestly
appeal TO all the other camps IN the
South 10 demand the elimination OF all
false histories nom PUBIC ana private
schools; that they appoint committees
whose duty it shall BE- TO see that th,s
IS done: TO urge the Sons OF Veterans
and Daughters OF the Confederacy 10 CO.
operate with them in this holy work and
TO remember that unless this effort Is
made, the curse that belongs TO those who
dishonor father and mother will belong
10 them.
All OF which Is respectfully submitted.
HUNTER INQUIRE.
Chairman History Committee