The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-08
FISHES HISTORY.
it Docs Not Properly State The Cause,
That Led to The War Between
The States

To the Editor: Some time ago when
/ enquired through The News and OBJ
server why Fiske's History was used
in our High School, Prof. Morson
promptly replied, with a full state
ment. That was to be admired, how
ever one might differ with him at the
conclusion. He pointed out that a
high grade history was desired-by
which he meant not so much larger
history but lone entering far more
deeply into the causes leading to his
torical event" in other words, a
history from which the children will
learn the why and the wherefore.
Necessarily such a work must omit
many details of purely local interest,
and these details it is proposed to
teach in a course of supplementary
reading.
1t is because Fiskes History does
purport to deal with the causes lead
ing to historical events that ii be-
comes necessary to scrutiniZe it with
unusual closent Sc. A northern history
that is a mere compendium of facts,
although it may be deficient in its
statement of events occurring at the
South, may not be very harmful for
the children can learn elsewhere of
these local happenings: but history
teaching the why and the wherefore,
written from the Northern standpoint
and intended for the use of Northern
children, need not be expected to pre-
sent the Southern view of matters
wherever the South differed with the
North.
BY it, our children will be taught
what we think ale errCrs, to the dis
paragement of the Southern people,
ct a time when their minds are plastic
and are easily moulded.
The great occasion of difference be-
tween the sections was slavery, and 1t
is with regard to this subject and
matters growing out of it that North
ern histories should be particularly
examined.
The Southern view of slavery un-
derwent but slight change from the
period when the Constitution was
framed. The standpoint of the North,
in the course of time, became greatly
changed.
The South adhered to the Constitu-
ton and the rights it secured while
from time to time the North pressed
to overthrow those rights, even de-
nouncing the Constitution as coven-
ant with death and a league with He'll.
Whenever the South insisted on its
constitutional rights, the Southern
statesmen were declared to be "ag-
gressive." The aggression was all on
the other side.
These being the facts, if one reads
Fiske's History, he will find it. with
regard to this subject, unsuited for
use in Southern schools.
A fair exposition of the general sub
ject of slavery can be found in the
opinion of the Supreme Court of the
United States in the Dread Scott case.
Fiske apparently never read that
opinion and greatly misrepresents it.
The matters that led to secession, |
to the war, and to the reconstruction
by Congress in 1S67-'6S. are not prop
erly stated All the South wants the |
to know is the truth. The |
truth is not apt to be found I'm any |
Northern history: and so, it seems to
me matter of first consequence THAI
some high grade history written by
!, Southerner presenting what the |
South believes to be the truth, should |
be used in our schools.
S. A. ASHE.
RALEIGH N G.