davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1909-11-17
LITERATURE in
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
An Address read by R. L. Camp
bell Before the Teachers As.
ISOLATION, Held at Anti
och, Oct. 2, '00.

tlemen:
1t gives me much pleasure to
come before you today for the
purpose of discussing one of the
most important subjects that
could occupy the minds of the
people, Literature in the Public
Schools. 1t is subject worthy
Of the eloquence OF a Demos
thens, a Cicero,a Henry Clay or a
Bryan, but if you will bear with
me for awhile | will endeavor to
make a few suggestions which |
trust will be helpful to you in the
training of children, and thus
placing our standard on a higher
plane.
When | speak of literature |
mean Southern Literature, be-
cause we are Of the South, are
interested in the welfare of the
South, and should be familiar
with the Literature of the South.
| must confess that | do not
know much about literature, and
what little | do know has been
learned out of school. | find
that our schools and most of our
teachers are intensely southern,
but southern literature has no
place in the curriculum and South
ern authors have but few eX-
Founders. But as my expert
ence is confined wholly to recent
years, and Southern Liturature
truly had its beginning in the
Anti-bellum days, | must not
confne myself to the narrow
channel of experience. Before
the war, as now, all Of our read
ers, histories, and in fact, all of
our school-books came from the
north: they were full of the best
literature to be obtained from
classic Greece and Rome, from
N 0 d fern continental Europe,
from the British Isles, from the
Northern States, but there was
seldom a poem, story or an
Grafton from a Southern author.
Thus Southern authors were not
mentioned except, perhaps, Incl
dentally.
Why is it that the South did
not and does not yet have her
share Of representation in the
school-books and other publica-
ti0ns of this country? Is it for
want Of culture? No, for the
southern gentleman is classical
scholar, and the southern lady,
a queen of grace and refinement.
Is it for want Of intellectual Wig
or? No, for the thinkers of the
South rival those of all the rest
of the world. Fertile soil, boun-
teous harvests and an industri-
Gus population forbid the intima-
ton that she is financially unable.
Can it be because she is wanting
in deeds of heroism? No! No!!
The South was the first to defy
England, and furnished more
soldiers according to military
population than the north; South
Carolina alone furnished more
men thanNew Hampshire, though
she had a smaller military popu-
lation; the South was the first to
cross the mountains and attack
the Indians; she was the ag-
gressive element in the war of
1872, and in the war with Mex
leo there were forty-five thous-
and volunteers from the South
The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1909-11-17

| am glad to note that the
South is reading and investigat-
ing more and keeping a better
system of records than ever be-
fore in her history. Hawthorne
and Lennon say: "We have
been hearing more from t h e
South Of late, and are likely to
hear more in the future; indeed,
it is more than possible that
another generation may find us
receiving our best literature from
that part of our country"
We are beginning to realize our
want of true history, for we
have been most grievously mis-
represented, and unless we see
to our vindication, we shall be
judged as charged. So teachers
let us do our duty teaching the
history and literature Of the
South. Let us stop trying to
teach Shakespeare or Milton to
children whose minds are not
sufficiently matured to compre-
bend these authors. But rather
let us support our home authors.
whom we have so cruelty neg
lected. The United States Com
missioner of Education said re-
Gently that southern poets had
written poems which the nations
could not forget, and that our
prose writer's had written things
as great as was ever written by
Browning, and yet Poe received
only ten dollars for "The Raven. :"
He was cast away to starve. The
sweet, gentle spirit O f Lamer
fought against poverty until
death relieved his sufferings.
O'Hara wrote "Bivouac of the
Dead" to celebrate southern he
roes. Yet, it has been selected
by the North as the most fit poem
to celebrate their own sleeping
dead, and it may be seen in the
national cemetery at Washing
ton.
The South is yet rich in ma
terials far rich and rare fiction.
The negro, with his darkey ways;
the creole, with his peculiar life
and mongrel language, the noun
taineer, with isolated home, and
simple wants, are characters
worthy of the pen of a Scott or a
Dickens. The mountain scenery
of Kentucky, Virginia, North
Carolina, and Tennessee, the
balmy breezes from the gulf; the
captivating beauty of orange
groves; dense forests, musical
with feathery songsters, a n d
skies rivaling those of Italy, must
inspire the poet and stimulate
the novelist.
So now in conclusion let me
beg you to find a place in your
schools for southern literature.
Encourage your pupils to read
the authors I have mentioned,
and also the lives of Lee and
Stonewall Jackson. This is a
duty we owe to the old South
whose glory will yet emerge
from the shadows of an unfor-
tunate war. 1t is a duty we owe
to ourselves and to the rising
generation, who will judge us
and the generation now passing
away and will accurately write
our history. And in doing this
work let us have as our guiding
star the motto of Abraham Lin
coin, with malace toward none,
with charity for all.
The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1909-11-17

Why, then, is it that the South,
so rich in materials for an abund-
ant and valuable literature has
placed so few productions in the
school-books of this country?
The answer is comparatively
easy. Before the war the South
was strictly Agricultural. Her
farms were very large. She had
no literary centers. Her cities
were few and far apart. Her
people were Indifferent to popu-
lar education. She did not en-
courage home talent but rather
insisted that the proper place for
the Southern gentleman was on
the farm where he could direct
the efforts of a multitude of
slaves. And where one was so
bold as to offer to become an au-
thor, it simply meant poverty
and self sacrifice.
But the war came ON The
slaves were freed. The farms
were devastated, and the South
was forced to adjust herself to
her surroundings. And as the
social compact began to adjust
itself to the new order of things,
authors began to receive encour-
agement at home. 1t is true that
much that is being written is in
trinsically worthless, but ambi-
ton and multiplied efforts ARE
producing some meritorious
works. The South is rapidly be-
coming a manufacturing center;
southern cities are becoming lit
erary centers; publishing houses
are paying good dividends, and
southern genius is becoming to
appreciated by southern readers.
There is yet one thing that is
lacking in the great struggle of
the South to attain the standard
to which she is justly entitled.
1t is this; Our schools, both pub
lie and private, are not doing
their duty in teaching the histo-
ry and literature of the South.
Yes, Notwithstanding the fact
that they cruelty neglect us and
even throw insults in our face,
most of our readers, histories
and other literature still comes
from the North. Why this is
true, | am unable to say. 1t
must be that we have been class
ed as illiterate, semi barbarous
beings so long that we concur in
such classification. But let us
awake to the situation and exam
inc some of the stuff we have
been teaching our children.
The Encyclopedia Britannica,
which, is regarded everywhere
as high authority, has this to say
of Us, (Vol. 1, page 49,; "The
attractive culture of the South
has been limited in extent and
degree. The dollhouse fruit Of
wealth and leisure, it has never
struck it's roots deeply into ma
tive soil.
Since the Revolution days,
when Virginia was the nurse of
Statesmen, the few thinkers of
America born south of Mason and
Dixon's line, outnumbered by
those belonging to the single
State of Massachusetts, have
commonly emigrated to New
York or Boston in search of a
university training. In the
world of letters at least, the
The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1909-11-17

saved only by northern civiliza-
ton, and we have made no pro-
tests against these misrepresen-
tations for so long that the out
side world has begun to repeat
them to our very great injury.
What shall we do? Shall we
hold our peace and await a
northern chronicler to write our
true history? No, they will never
do it. We must do that ourselves.
The boys and girls of the South
must be fought the true history
of the South. They should be-
come familiar with the literature
of the South; with it's songs; its
poems; it's civilization, both men
and all; its suffering during and
subsequent to the civil war, and
its rapid recuperation since. In
stead of permitting them to be-
lieve that their forefathers were
either imbeciles or traitors, let us
teach them to love and to hold
sacred the history, valor, and
patriotism of the Old South. Let
them know that the first impor-
tant railroad in the world travers-
ed the Carolinas; that the first
steamer to cross the ocean clear
ed from Savannah; that Fitch
and not Fulton invented the
steamboat; that the first college
for girls was opened in Georgia;
that no naturalist surpassed Au-
dubon; that no geographer equal
ed money; that it was a South
erner, tc-wit, Crawford Long,
who gave to the world the price
less blessing of anaesthesia, and
|
that Sims and Mcdonald led the
world of surgery in their respec-
tive lines.
And again, it is our duty to see
to it that our history and litera-
ture are properly placed before
the world. And can we do this
by procuring our data f. o m
Northern writer's and publishers.
| No, and | am very much surpris-
ed to know that those in authori-
ty would put a book in the hands
of the children of Kentucky that
would teach them that it was
Franklin who wrote the Declara-
ton of Independence. But if
you are acquainted with the third
reader now in use in our schools,
you know this is true, and the
chances are that in a few more
years we will have Adams classed
as the Father Of this country.
| repeat it, we cannot afford
to have our school books and
dato furnished by northern
writer's and publishers. If they
do not totally ignore us they
neglect us. Thus, the Column
Dlan Encyclopedia consisting OF
81 volumes, gives more space to
John Brown, running his pedi-
gree back to Peter Brown, who
came over in the Mayfower,
than to Jefferson Davis, the SOL
der, Statesman and president.
Another standard Encyclopedia
gives six lines on General Kirby
Smith, the teacher, soldier and
patriot, and more than a column
on John L. Sullivan. of Boston.
Even so excellent and widely
used textbook as Hawthorn and
Lemons, American Litera-
ture," gives more space to Walt
Whitman than RI Cxdnoxy owes.
The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1909-11-17

in dead works. 1t is time we
were working, and | am glad to
know that the South is awaken
ing from it's lethargy; that men
and women of ability, of genuine
patriotism and love for the truth,
are in modest tones asking the
world to consider the true his
tory Of the South. 'The old
South" and "Old Virginia" by
Thomas Nelson Page, "The New
South, :" by Henry Grady; Free
Joe," by Joel Chandler Harris,
and the poems of Sidney Lanier
and Father Ryan hould be
taught to every Southern Youth.
Southern Literature" by Miss
Louis Manley, is worthy of a
place in every Southern school.
''The Southern States of the
American Union," by DR.. ]. L.
M. Curry, is another book that
we should enthusiastically sup
port. 1t gives in concise man.
the history of the Southern colo
MES; the part they performed in
the establishment of freedom of
thought, of the press, and of
conscience for themselves and
posterity; their wisdom is counsel,
their valor in the field and their
patriotism everywhere.
And now Mrs. Superintendent,
| wish to see this literature put
in the intermediate department
of all of our schools l say inter-
mediate department, because
there are more children in the
second, third and fourth reader
grades than in all other depart
ments, and the greatest number
possible should have this litera-
ture taught them. Children in
these grades can readily compre-
bend the most of the authors l
have named; and teachers, if we
cannot use them otherwise let us
by all means use them as sup
Elementary readers.
Another reason for teaching
this literature to small children
is, that it is SO full of parental
love and filial devotion, themes
that delight them. 1t is but a
reflection Of the people it at
tempts to describe, and is full of
sincerely, justice, patriotism and
conservatism. 1t magniies horne,
where mother is queen and sister
sacred. 1t delights in the por-
trayal of farm scenes, of waving
fields yellow with grain or white
with cotton, Of green pastures
made more cheerful by frolicing
lambs, of the perfect order and
system of farm work, of the mer-
ry contented slaves, as they went
to their work n the morning
with songs on their lips, or as
they made their quarters lively
at night with the banjo and that
double shuttle which only a negro
can dance to perfection, and now
please allow me to digress just a
moment to say that southern lit
erature gives the best history
that can be found of slavery. 1t
rehearses the almost forgotten
fact that the North was parti-
Clip criminis with the South in
introducing and profting by the
slave trade; that the southern
colonies repeatedly protested and
went on record in their legisla-
tive assemblies against the slave
New-York tribune., 1909-02-05
Cow JURY DISAGREES.
Eight for Acquittal in Borough Bank
Grand Larceny Case.

The jury that heard the case Of William Cow,
charged with grand larceny in connection with
the theft OF $145OOO from the Borough Bank.
Brooklyn, reported to Justice Crane, in the Su-
preme Court Brooklyn at 2:15 o'clock this
morning that it could not agree on verdict
1t said the jury stood eight for acquittal
to four for conviction. Cows bail Of $4,000
was renewed
Yesterday was devoted to the summing up by
both sides, Martin W. LittletOn, attorney for
the defence, addressing the jury in the morning,
and Assistant District Attorney Elder making
the closing argument for the prosecution at the
afternoon session Two hours were given up
to each address,, and Justice Crane delivered
his charge in little less than hour.
Mr.. Littleton contended that his client thought
the S14j, 900 was to come out of the fund cred
tied to Howard Maxwell, the Borough Bank
president who committed suicide. and not from
the Mcclure account The attorney assumed
that it was Mr.. Maxwell and not Mr.. Cow VINO
ordered the check for that amount. He insist
ed that the transfer of the funds was due TO
the "habituaI crmnaty' of Arthur B. Camp
bell the cashier, who turned states evidence.
Justice Crane charged that the restoration or
money stolen would not affect the charge or
grand larceny He told the jury that a convic-
ton could not be obtained on the unsupported
testimony Of an accomplice and that verdict
Of guilty could not be found on the evidence OF
Mr. Campbell the cashier.
New-York tribune., 1909-02-05
NEU BLOW At R4CING.
California Passes Measure Similar to
NezC York Las.

Sacramento, Cal. Feb. 4.-Racing in the state
of California received vital blow to-day When
the Senate, by vote Of 33 to d passed tne
Walker otis anti-racetrack gambling bill, when
prohibits pool selling, bookmalling or gambling
on horse races.
The bin has already passed the Assembly and
will now go to tn Governor for his signature
after which it will become law Go'erIoI
Cillett has signifed his intention to sign me
measure if passed by both houses. but it IS be
ueved that ne will not take this action unuI
thirty days shall have elapsed. AS the Dill per
Tnits pool dealers and bookmakers sixty Gays
time in which to close up their afairs' the
present season of racing at the EmeryViile ana
Santa Anita courses will not be disturbed
The WaIker-Otis anti-gambling bill is referred
+o 80 the Hughes law of California" nasmuch
as it follows closely the text OF the DIV "Ilich
was. .uassed by the last Legislature OF Ne" YORK
,,.-,I4fo,, 81 the measure is mad felony, tho
,,pisbnent for which is Imprisonment IN the
nenitentiary and a heavy fine
New-York tribune., 1909-02-05
Gas REBATES FEB. p3.
L. 5. Supreme Court Mandate Says
Distribution Shall Begin Then.

Payment Of the rebate funds to gas consum-
ers will begin on February 23, if the plans of the
gas companies gre in accord with the order for
the distribution Of the $12.oOO,OO0, to be issued
by Judge Lacom5e when he acts on the mandate
received yesterday from the United States Su-
preme Court An amendment to the original de-
cree reserves the right to the United States Cir
cult Court to make distribution of the funds
in accordance with the offer of the Consolidated
and the terms of the injunction
William P Burr Assistans Corporation Coun-
sci, will make a motion to-day to dismiss the
injunction of the New Amsterdam Gas Company
and ask that the money deposited by it since
May l, 1905 be distributed according to the pro-
visions of the bill. This will be test motion.
which Will. apply TO all the subsidiary COM
panies. John A. Carver. of counse! for the gas
companies said yesterday that formal protest
would be made. but that there would be
test The mandate will be made public to-day.
New-York tribune., 1909-02-05
S4TED IN GOW1NUS B4Y.
Republic Wreck Scenes Repeated for
the NOuing Picture ban.

The steamer J. L. Luckenbach doesn't look
much like the White Star liner Republic.
resting peacefully in the locker Of the late Mr.
David Jones some forty-five miles to the
suthard of the Nantucket Lightshfp- But what
does that matter among friends? Any port in
a storm is a good haven for the moving picture
man, even if it is CiOwanus Bay.
Strange visitors went down TO the sea of
Gowanus In automobiles yesterday. Women,
robed in rare gowns from the shop Of an Eighth
avenue cOstumer, were helped to the pier by
dozen or two Of gallant gentlemen whose throats
were swathed in r-Persian lamb collars from
the same establishment Stage jewery glist-
ened from stately necks. while a man (who
vnen he got through with his makeup. believed
he looked like Captain Sealby Of the Republlc)'
ordered the gay assemblage to go aboard ana
get ready for the shipwreck.
A little man. with a moving picture camera
guaranteed to miss nothing on the high seas ot
Gowanus. took his place in the bow Of the
Luckenbach and ordered the man who was
soon TO be machine made hero Of the deep 10
turn EN- loose for the ifeboats.
The imitation Captain Sealby wore the coat Of
a United States army officer, instead OF the reg
uation uniform OF the White Star Line ahd'
unlike the real skipper, welded a great mega
phone instead of holding cigar eooiiy between
his thumb and forefnger-
Suddenly the little man in the bow shouted
that the Florida had rammed the Repubilc-
The crowd did not il happen, but they be-
ueyed II nevertheless, and assumed real snip
wrecked expression. Get more excited, salo
the man in the bow Shout as loud as you can
Bows rush for the lifeboats. and give the sailors
and the captain a chance to kick you out
That's fine Some OF you women shake down
your kafr and look II you just got up That
is bully
The captain swung his hands just like real
captain, and unintentonally his fist met the race
of a disarrayed actress, and she went down ana
out on the deck This untoward incident was
not intended for publication on the hims.' but 1t
added color, and everything went
1t was a big success. this moving picture
taken without the assistance of the Nantucket
fog and just the last Ifeboat was lowered
over the side and boosted quickly beyond the
range of the lens ferryboat Of the 3sith street
line doomed large the horizon. and passed
on without offering assistance
New-York tribune., 1909-02-05
TO LOSE BOTH FEET.
Earl of SufoH's Brother Suffering
from Gdngrene.

James Knyvett Estcourt Howard brother OF
with his hands and feet badly frOstbitten. must
suffer the amputation OF both feet. The general
condition of Mr.. Howard yesterday was more
satisfactory than it was Wednesday, when
he arrived in this city from hunting expedition
in the frozen wilderness of British Columbia.
Cangrene has set in, and while at first 1t was
thought necessary to anputate only one foot,
Mr. HOwards physician, DR.. ]. s. Nagle, has de-
cided that the amputation of both feet Is i'm
perative. This operation will be performed In
about a week While Mr.. Howard suffers in
tensey, there is no immediate fear for his life
The physicians say that they will be able to
save his hands.
Mr. Howard, who is the only brother of the
Earl Of Suffolk whose wife Miss Daisy
Letter is twenty-five years old He came here
about two months ago from Europe with Baron
Schafer. They joined several friends for
moose and bear hunting trip in British Colum-
bia The party consisted of twenty-five. After
travelling on horseback in zero weather, all but
Nr Howard and Baron Schaffer turned back
The two men pIodded on a blizzard swept
down on them. Fatigued and weak. they lay
down on bearskins in the snow Hours later
a relief party found them unconscious. When
the rescuers got the frostbitten men to Bann
physicians who were called despaired Of saving
their lives Mr.. Howard rushed to this
CITY for treatment and Baron Schaffer remained
at Pauf
New-York tribune., 1909-02-05
TWO DIE after QUARREL.
Long Island Nan Shoots WOman
ard Children, Then Hangs Himself.

Farmingdale Long Island. Feb. 4.-Frederlck
Buckholt shot and killed Mrs. Elizabeth Rust
this evening, wounding her two children with
bullets that We're meant for their mother. and
then went 70 the attic Of his home and hanged
himself. His wife, who witnessed the tragedy
cared for the wounded woman and children.
Buckholt was a carpenter. He and his wife
had no children. and the two Rust children had
lived with them for several years Their mother
made her living by doing housework in the vii
lage She paid the board of the children. Re
Gently there was dispute about the board. 7 he
boy is fourteen and the girl twelve years old
and II is said that Buckhoit demanded more
money for their board than their mother had
agreed to pay when they went to live with
Buckholt Mrs Rust found it impossible 10 pay
more
Mrs Rust visited the children this evening.
and the discussion about their board led 10
quarrel Buckholt flew into passion and get
ting his revolver. opened fire. Mrs. Rust Nas
killed almost instantly. The boy was wounded
in the neck and his sister was wounded in the
back neither seriously.
New-York tribune., 1909-02-05
BUYS TISSOT PICTURES.
"PubHc Spirited Citi1en" to Keep
Old Testament Water COlOrs Here.

Prospective bidders for the 81 water color
illustrations of the Old Testament by ]. James
Tissot were surprised last night when James P
Silo announced to them i'll the Fifth Avenue
Art Galleries that the auction sale could not
be held as the entire collection had been pur-
chased by "a public spirited citizen" and that
ii was TO remain here. as the artist wished 1t
'to become a precious possession of the public
ITO the credit of this great and beautiful city
Of ours" Mr. SilO said. "it is pleasant privilege
for me to say that she has a citizen so public
spirited that feeling the tremendous educational
value of the great collection. he has purchased
it entire, to remain educational factor OF
.tInrtvaile5 interest for all time"
The purchase was made yesterday afternoon,
and Mr. SiIo said the collection would not go
outsida the limit of one mile from the galleries
Marv assumed from this statement that tee
purchaser who for the present insists that his
name be not made public. was j. Pferpont Nor
rap William X Vanderbilt or John d. Rookie
feIer. The upset price for the paintings had
been placed at $4,000.
The T!ssot Bibles will be sold this evening
Every Patriotic American will want picture
Of Abraham Lincoln. A very handsome one
FREE with next Sundays Tribune.