The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-03-17
History-Its Value as q Study.
BY Miss G. N.


little, as day after day we are trying
to gain mastery over a few simple
facts, for. indeed, they are very few,
scarcely anything. compared to the
innumerable facts found in history.
However these few facts that we do
grasp are OF greatest Importance to
us.
History in my estimation, and be-
lieVe to everyone who will stop TO
think little, it is in some way or
other connected with every other
branch of study. some more some less.
Would it be possible for us to gain
full understanding of geography, If
we knew nothing of it's historical con-
nection? No, l say. emphatically. no!
The languages of this world have also
been affected to a certain extent. BY
a knowledge of the lives, customs and
wanderings of the people centuries
ago, we can see how so many Ian
guages originated, and their relation
to one another. But with literature it
Is most firmly linked. History is the
basis of all. Every epoch in litera-
ture also marks an epoch in history
1t is, in fact, utterly impossible to en-
joy it to the greatest extent, and COM
prehend its fullest meaning without
knowing the political conditions OF
the times.
History at the mention OF it, only
too often recalls pictures of great
ca!amities, wars, and invasions and
leaves us utterly forsetful of the fact
that there is history connected with
all of our environments. even our
most immediate ones. If it be ever
SO insignificant, nevertheless it adds
much to the interest we take in them.
In studying the history of the In
dams which contains so many beau
tful legends, telling OF their bravery,
we cannot help but admire them, and
be less adverse in our criticisms OF
them.
The enslavement of the black race
by the whites. their emancipation and
finally equal political freedom. are all
pictured to us through the pages of
history.
How many a pretty spot and thing
we love on account of the history con-
nected with it.
Again the history of nations is as
Interesting as that of our surround
tngs but. of course, very much more
important. Ae we study, muse and
wonder over ancient history we can
not help but see how much it is like
our modern history, how much the
Grecian democracies are like our own
republics of today. AS the people
fought for freedom and their political
rights. so they do and will flight for
them. This has recently been demon
strated by the events in Russia. whose
people are at last waking up to their
terrible condition and will no longer
endure it.
If we did not study ancient and
medieval history we would be, to
great extent, ignorant or rather I'M
able to understand the history or the
current events of today of which every
good citizen should have some concep-
ton and wish to understand.
Look at our modern cities! Are
not they to greater or less extent,
modelled after ancient Rome? They,
too, have the wide. we'll paved streets,
beautiful statues. gigantic marble
structures. and great public libraries,
just as did beautiful ancient Rome.
But there is one thing we can never
attain and that is the splendor OF the
Grecian scuiptors or of Roman archi-
tecas; but ii history did not leave
some account of the patterns and
models OF these ancient arts what
would we have now? Nothing but our
more modern ideas which never thus
far have attained the grandeur of the
ancient ideas and plans that were
executed
History is OF value to us not only
for its great intrinsic interest, but it's
greatest value lies in the effect that
the study of it has upon ourselves.
Who is it that is not touched by the
story of Socrates, who in his humble,
old. but decisive way went about try
ing to teach the people, and as re-
ward for his goodness and kindness
toward those people, was forced to
drink the cup of poison and so die
martyr to his cause?
Through history Cicero has been the
high ideal of many a young orator
When we study lives of great men, we
are bound to be Influenced by their