The public ledger., 1922-03-02
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WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washin ton, - Apropos of the dis
cussi, II II New York. Washingtcn. an,
other cities Of the un-American char
aoter of many United States historic
now in use in the schools of the coun
try. there is presented below lcette
written by Wallace Camant. form
er justice of the Oregon Supreme
Court, and President General of thu
National Society Sons of the Ameri
can Revolution. Tho sentiments h,
expresses deserve the attelticn o
every school man;
my attention has been called to the
controversy which has arisen in New
York City with reference to the school
histories muse in our public schools
The subject is one of vital interest to
the National Society Sons of the
American Revolution and is n subject
| also in which | have been personally
interested for several years May |
presume to call your attention TO the
things which think are important TO
be borne in mind in the censorship of
these school books?
THE story OF the American Revo-
luton has great potential value for in
culcatinC patriotism. From my point
of view it was the most heroic struS-
gle of the ages Great Britain has
never been relatively so powerful
either before or since as she was at
the time Of the American Revolution
The spirit OF our. forefathers in brav-
ing the wrath of the great British En-
pire was magnificent. No other period
in history was 80 prolific in great men
as was the Revolutionary period in
this country Our free institutions
have come to us not by royal grant
but through heavy sacrifices and val
orous achievement. Our debt 10 the
men 10 whom we owe these institu
tions should never be forgotten and
should be impressed upon all Ameri- |
cans in their impressionable years.
The story is full of dramatic Incl
dents and the most should be made Of |
hem by the writer of a history. The |
history should give realistic account |
II Paul Revere's ride, the Battle Of
Bunker Hill, of Washington's crossing |
Il the Delaware. the George Rogers
lark expedition. the Mollie Pitcher
Incident the execution OF Nathan
Hale. the tra cedy of Valley Forge and
he nartisan warfare in the Carolinas
,fany of the histories tell the story In
colorless fashion and in such man
Ter as to deprive it Of all OF its value
or patriotic purposes. Some of the
Histories are inaccurate in their state
nent of facts and utterly inadequate
n their characterization of the found
rs of the Republic. Space is often
evoted 10 unimportant matters while
he stirring and moving incidents Of
he Revolutionary War are slurreG
ver with scanty attention.
Il have no feeling Of animosity to-
,ard Great Britain. On tthe contrary,
am mindful of the yoyeman service
,hich she rendered 70 rthe preserya-
ion of civilization in the World War
nd I believe that her services in this
espect entitled her to the gratitude
Americans. am, nevertheless, OBJ
osed to the emasculation of our Rev
lutionary history with a view to cul- g
waiting friendly relations with Great
ritatin. Our forefathers were right J
nd George the Third was wrong. This :
Lct should never be lost sight of
Our patriotic Society is greatly in
rested in the censorship of school
stories, which is now taking place in
ew York City. l sincerely hope that
may result in great good and that
ere may be reform started which 4
Ill become nationwide in its scope