The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-23
A Yankee Book in Raj
eigh's Schools.
IT'S FULL OF ERRORS
Says Captain S. A. Ahse, and From it
the Pupils Can Learn Nothing OF
North Cardinals Revolutionary
History. Are Southern Writ
ers Discredited?

To the Editor: Last night / looked
over casually Fiske's history of the
United States, which has been intro
duced in the Raleigh High School.
end l would like to inquire why that
particular book was selected to be
taught to the children of Raleigh pa
rents?
1t is not to be expected that in a
general history of the United States
much space can be given to particular
States; but at least accuracy of state
ment is to be expected.
Fiske's History, like that written
by other Northerners, is probably de-
signed for more extended circulation
and use in Northern communities than
at the South; and therefore the details
and coloring are given with that view.
Thus in such works North Carolina
children may expect to find but little
concerning their own State. Indeed
after North Carolina became a State
in the Union, in 1889 the only refer
ence made to her in F'iske's History
is to the effect that she had been op-
posed to Secession, but when compell-
cd to choose between fighting against
the South or against the North, She
chose the latter alternative and seced-
ed from the Union, although there
were many UnionistS in North Caro-
lima. This seems to be all the infor-
nation d Raleigh boy would obtain
about North Carolina as a state. in
the American Union.
There is a reference to the Battle Of
Kings Mountain and to the Battle OF
Guilford Court House; and state
ment that after the fall of Charles
ton, with great exertions new
American Army was collected in North
Carolina" and further statement
that in the course of the winter of
1875 there was fighting in North Caro-
lima between the Tories and the Revo-
lutionary party in which the former
were totally defeated; and these four
references comprise the entire Revo-
lutionary History of North Carolina.
The only other reference to our peo-
pie is with regard to the first settle-
ment, to which the author deVotes
page, and that is full of errors.
1t is understood that Fiske has con-
siderable reputation as an historian.
/ have not examined his work for err
rors, but incidentally observe that
he says: ''In the first trial of strength
the National Republicans won two. de-
cisive victories in Congress on the
tariff question. The Tariff Bill passed
in 1924 was highly protective, and
that of 1928 was still more So The
formed until after Adams was elected
in 1924.
also observe that in speaking of
the decision of the Supreme Court of
the United States in the Dred-Scott
case. Mr.. Fiske says: "a majority OF
the court held that the Missouri Com
promise was unconstitutional. and
therefore null and void from the start:
that Dred Scott was not citizen of
Missouri, but a thing" TO be sure
the Supreme Court of the United
States never decided that person was
q "thing." That court is the highest
tribunal ever instituted by the human
race. and it's members at that time
were illustrious for their learning. Vlr-
tues and patriotism. Children should
not be taught to hold the Supreme
Court of the United states in such con-
tempt as this teaching would instill.
/ would like to inquire why some
history written by a Southern author
was not adopted instead of this one?
Is it because all Southern writer's are
discredited on account of their beng
Southerners. and therefore without
intelligence. or learning that would fit
them to write history? j have on my
table a School History of the United
States written by Henry Alexander
White. who is a Southerner and this
book in many respects is more accur-
much better book for Southern chill
dren to study. IT is true that Whites
account of the settlement of North
Carolina is also faulty and quite as
erroneous as Fiske's in some particu-
lars. but on the whole it is very much
to be preferred.
1 wish to make a plea for the use of
Southern books We cannot build up
Southern literature by always boot
licking Northern writer's and ignoring
Southern authors.
] think that Southern teachers
should be required to use in their
schools books written by Southern au-
thors whenever this can be done, and
that VIC should seek to foster South
ern literature instead of always wor-
shipping at some Northern shrine
S. A. ASIIE.
Raleigh, Sept. %.