Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1914-10-21
THE USE OF HISTORY.
BY Ray Risner.

In order to appreciate fully the
blessing and advantages Of the pres
ent age, it is necessary to study the
pages of history, and compare past
ages with those in which we live.
When we read the history Of coun-
tries where men were held in bond
age, then we appreciate freedom.
When we read and study about the
kings and rulers of countries ruled by
these tyrants, then we enjoy and ap-
preciate political liberty.
When we study the holy wars or
crusades Of ancient times, then we
think of our religious freedom.
In order to appreciate the various
causes that lead to an improvement
in the condition of nations and indiv
iduals, we must read and study the
following: The spreading Of knowl-
edge, the many changes in the gov
eminent, political and religious chang
es, and social improvements.
The object of History. First his
tory points out to us the causes Of
| improvement, it places us upon a
| mental platform and enables us to
view the past, it draws aside veil
from the actions of the great men in
the past, it helps to infuse new life
of passed events, and to point out
past errors as warnings for the &C.
lions Of the present.
p, History instructs all readers in
their own peculiar profession. Men
learn the art Of war by reading of
battles and generals Of past days.
Great men and statesmen can judge
of the practical workings of theories
Of government by reading the pages
of history. The rulers and kings can
see where their predecessors have
failed or succeeded. The manufac-
turnr can judge of the increase OF
commerce and trade. The lawyer
can derive untold benefit from the
examples of history.
The value of history. When we read
and study about great battles and
events, at the hour they happened
they seem to be great burdens with
evils, beheld by the light of history
but in after ages, they prove to be
the kindest Of blessings in disguise.
We find in ancient history that the
Roman soldiers destroyed the Greciar
schools. This seemed to be quite a
disaster at the time, but the light Of
> history has shown to us that it was
fright for the Roman soldiers to des
troy the Grecian schools, because the
Greeks were becoming wran CLING
sophists.
Let us look at the national disaster
when the Northern tribes destroyed
the ancient monuments of the Caes
ar-here history shows to us the vice
and corruption of the time. Thi!
time was thus overthrown and better
days commenced, but at the time i
seemed disastrous.
The various wars from which ma
tional blessings have resulted-Th'
Revolution war in which America
gained her independence from Eng
land.
The Civil war in which slavery wa,
abolished and the North and South
were united. Every page of histor.
points out discordant events which
! resolve into harmonious whole.
| Proper study of history teaches us
that all past events that are of inter
est help to throw light upon our pres
ent life. Every nation offers us SOM
claim to wonder mingled with love O
| competition and strife.
] Our prosperity is not due to on
great powers or merits, but is due t.
the advance in civilization, the ez
perience of past ages and the prog
ress of events in the past.
Conclusion.-The student Of histor
to fully realize it's use and the grea
benefit to be derived from its perusa
should study it systematically. TIL
first history Of the world is the OF
Testament. It contains valuabl
items Of ancient history. We shout
study ancient history, the middl
ages, and modern history in prope
order. After the groundwork ha
thus been formed, various authors o
the same era should be read and con
pared.