The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21

story was copied bodily from an English gentleman's sketch of his son, which ap- peared in England in 1799 And yet there are thousands and thousands of American children who believe the cherry tree story as devoutly as they do that Washington was the first president
 A tablet set in the wall of a store in Boston sets forth the legend that on that spot occurred the famous Boston massa- ere. A mistake in topography was dis covered too late and the true site of the encounter was fixed at another spot. But the store-keeper would not permit the tab let to be removed, for 1t was good draw ing card. The historical society thereupon erected another tablet on the true site, and their silent warfare continues until this day.
 The story of Paul Reveres midnight ride is a cherished bit of patriotic lore which the iconoclasts have not entirely destroyed. The school histories say the signal lights were hung in "Old North Church." on the present site of Christ church, Boston, to announce the arrival of the British. Recent authorities declare that the lanterns were displayed in the Second Church." which was on North square. William Dawes, who is said to have ridden with Paul Revere, is rarely mentioned in the legends, perhaps because his name did not so readily lend itself to rhymng.
 How many have been thrilled by the story of the trans-continental ride of Marcus Whitman and his wonderful sue cess in his mission of saving Oregon to the United States? This pretty story has been completely dlsproved. Whitman was a missionary sent to the Oregon country by the American board of commissioners for foreign missions The board had de- cided to discontinue one of the mission stations in the northwest. Whitman heard of it and came all the way to the east on horseback to ulsge the board to continue the station. He was successful, and in compliance with his pledge to the board he took a party of emmigrants with him to the northwest on his return. A month before he reached the east the Linn bill extending the laws of the United States to that section had been passed. Contem- porary newspapers barely mention his visit and none of them speak of his mis- sion. The story as it generally has been told is that Whitman was at Fort Walla Walla when he heard that the United States was about to abandon claim 10 the Oregon country in return for some fishing rights to be granted by England He left Walla Walla in October, 1Sl2, and arrived in Washington on March ?, lS43 just in time to save Oregon. This story has been told and retold, but it did not appear at the time, nor during the riff ty-four forty or fight campaigns mace by Polk against Clay. It was flrst tolu in 1S47 and like all good stories got good start before 1t was thoroughly ln- yestigated.
 When it comes to stories of the CIVIL war as well as discussions of the polltl- cal questions of that era and the period of reconstruction, the turn ot the taie depends much upon the nativity of the author School books written Tn the north are often grossly unjust and un- fair and even untruthful to the south and school histories written in the soutn for southern schols pervert the facts or history to accommodate a sentiment Good school histories are much needed. It is yet too early for perfectly lmpar- tial history of the Civil war period to he written. one which will go Into all tho details of that great struggle, and assign to their proper places all the issues ana men involved, but 1t is not too soon 10 have a standard schol history which Will prefer truth fable. and which will be fair to all sections of a reunited coun- try. If Charles Francis Adams, north erner who Is always fair to the south, and President North, would eollaborate thev would produce such a short school history as is much needed. Unless some thing like this be done the average man of forty years from now will still cllng to the mistaken notions of history gained in the school histories in use today.