The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-11
DR.. MOREHEAD'S VIEWS
ON HISTORY INCIDENT
Sets Out Fully the Cause of the Trouble the Principles In
volved and the Disposition Made of
the Eson Matter

, cxcelleucies OF text book may so
( far exceed its defects as 10 justify
1 it's use In the recitation room, leav-
( ING corrections to be made by The In
struCtor.
Marvel of History.
Shall Southern institutions make
an exception of American history in
their application OF the above prin-
ciples TO the work OF higher edu-
I cation | believe such a position to
be untenahle. After all, In there any
necessity for an iptolerant attitude
On THIS SUBJECT For my part ] am
thoroughly in sympathy with true
southern ideais and traditions, 1t is
my conviction that the ante belium
civilization OF the South was unique
among the civilizations of the world.
/ Like all things human. it had its de-
feets, but it's eXceilencies were SO
fine SO appealing, that, despite the
drag of slavery. the civiliza ton OF
the old South Will always remain one
Of the marvels Of American history.
The CAGE of the South IL not so
weak that it needs 10 fear the fun
light OF scientific investigation. Let the
truth stand, as IL must stand In the
final verdict OF history. But while the
Southerner. whose patriotism is based
on convictions, VIII thus invite the
Just and fair historic estimate Of the
South past, without solicitude for the
result. knowing that honest scholar
+ ship VIII DO justice to its heroes and
I its achievements. IS there not also q
( broader patriotism that should be in
/ cuicated In our educational work" /
/ am reminded here of the words OF
] General Lee To a Virginia mother.
when, shortly after the war. he said
! Abandon ell these local animosities
and IN "a ke A ey-i1 I
heard similar. sentiments expressed.
while living In Richmond a good many
years ago, by the l8te General John b.
/ Gordon. in his eloquent address to
/ tho camp OF the United Confederate
| Veterans, convening in that city. VIII
t the South forget these great leaders,
even though they be absent from the
body? I do profoundly believe that
/ the educational program. in a patri-
otto sense. North, South. East and
| West, is expressed once for all for us
/ in the noble words OF General Robert
/ Z. Lee.
This agitation in connection with
| the history controversy has seemed to
me particularly untlmeIy. The men
| Of the South are winning place and
recognition in the councils Of the ma
ton. There are numerous indications
| in very recent years that the North
Z
To its history and as 70 its opportunity
for service in the cause Of our repuh-
lie. I feel sure that the South. on
the whole is really ready to meet the
North in the same generous spirit.
I'm Southwestern Virginia. as In
many other parts of the South, we
have mixed population. PeopIe from
various parts Of orr great country are
uniting with us III the earnes, en-
deavor to develop this section along
all lines. Under the circumstances
| they might well consider such sec
tional agitation ungracious were it
not that some OF our people, az veri-
~ believe. have been misled and have
temporarily misrepresented them
selves. But there have been many
sober heads even in our Immediate
vicinity. during this temporary excite
ment.
1T seems to me that the one course
to pursue, to repeat the words of Cen
eral Lee, is clear: abandon all these
local animositles and make your sons
Americans. So shall we work togeth-
er, each in his place. for the welfare
or our common country
, JOHN A. MOREHTAp."