The call of the North. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1923-1924, 1923-12-19

right falsifcations that have been
pointed out and protested against in
resolutions in national meetings OF
this and practically all other patriot
ic organizations, as fell as by many
civic bodies and fraternal orders all
over the country. -
"In New York City schools the
Muzzey situation is complicated by
the facts that while other accused
texts were banned eighteen months
ago, the Muzzey book was protected
and retained, and when further pres
sure last spring forced recognition OF
| its faults two New York superintend-
ents assisted Professor Muzzey in its
revision and thus lent official indorse-
ment to the product that is repugnant
to patriotic sense.
zone OF the superintendent has
since retired, but the other stands at
the head of American history teach
ing in the New York City schools.
'It has been insolently asserted by
speakers for foreign propaganda
agencies sndby some college profess
sors and school men that the interpre-
tation of American patriotism should
be left to higher historical scholar
Ship and that ignorant and narrow
ly 'nationalistic' American patriotic
organizations should keep their hands
off. ~,s->s
eve contend, on the contrary, that
we who have followed the flag for
American ideals know what these
ideals are; we cherish them for what
they are, and will maintain them in
our schools as zealously as we have
maintained them on battle line.
'The public school is the first line
of defense of democracy. Let US keep
it loyal. r.
"You, as commander, and all men,
bers of your post are earnestly urged
to employ every honorable means to
impress upon your public school au-
thorities the offensiveness Of the Muz-
zey history.
eve are assured that many other
organizations and very large ma
jority of enlightened people are work
ing with US, from the same high mo-
tiyes and to the same purpose"
Misrepresentation Abroad
In New Jersey the protest against
the Muzzey and other obnoxious his
tories is soon to be made effective
through a combined statewide drive.
Heads of all patriotic organizations
have recently met at Trenton and
united in a cooperative action.
In Los Angeles a special commit
tee of public school superintendent
and teachers, created year ago to
investigate the SMuzzey, Hart and
West texts, used in California, has
reported that none Of these is any
longer in use in Los Angeles.
Current comment in. the press of
England indicates misapprehension
that the patriotic protest in our coun-
try against the Anglfcized histories
has been prompted by anti-British
feeling and by new spirit for an ex-
aggerated American nationalism.
This error in England is to be de-
plored. Mutual understanding and
genuine accord between the two peo-
Piles can have no better basis than
truths, past as well as present.
There has been no demand Of de-
sire that any foreign nation be dis
credited or misrepresented on our
school histories, or that any new ma
tionalistic spirit be generated, or
that there be made any alterations
whatsoever in the long acceted teach
ing OF, our annals.
Inc sole demand mas been That
American history and American ma
tional spirit, precisely as they have
developed through the past, be pre-
served. $50
No complaint rests against whole
some desire to promote Anglo-Ameri-
can amity.
But this worthy desire does not
justify the outright vandalism at
tempted Upon our history. Nothing
can justify Misrepresentation Of the
causes and conduct Of the Revolution,
defamation of our nations founders,
perversion Of their doctrines and dis
tortion Of their ideals to the minds Of
American children.