Evening star., 1925-06-22
Muzzey Is Defended
Student Says History Tells
Truth About u. S.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The star:
In the past few years I have been
aware OF much discussion as to the
use Of Muzzey's text book on Amer.
lean history. l, as a student of the
above book, will endeavor to show
that 1 have in no way been harmed
by. its so-called unpatriotic remarks
and am not at a loss for want OF facts.
First. let US take the question why
Muzzey failed to touch on several i'm
portant battles and prominent men.
The answer Is this: The text must
be studied In accordance with the
length of the school term, and at the
same time the important facts must
be digested. So Muzzey condensed
his text into a more compact form
In order that the facts can be quickly
and thoroughly graSped. Further, we
must have bare facts so that the
great financial measures and cam
paign issues of the administrations
can be studied with more diligence.
These two were passed up In the
graded schools because Of their in
tricacies and were left to be develop
ed in the high schools. We. the stu
dents of Muzzey, are asked II we
know anything about Decatur. Perry.
Jackson at New Orleans and Hull
OF course, we became we'll acquainted
with these brave men and their IA
nous exploits in the graded schools.
Muzzey touches on the fundamental
events that went to mold our Nation
into its present powerful state.
Then. some one quotes Muzzey as
saying the Revolution was q cause
less. wanton. wicked rebellion" But
wait. they failed to include the en-
tire sentence. which reads. Thou
sands Of people in the colonies could
agree with a noted lawyer of Massa-
chusetts that the Revolution was a
causeless, wanton. wicked rebellion"
Can there be any pro or con when the
people themselves believed It? Then
the article reads that Hayes had
fraud written across his brow"
Again. 1t has been misquoted as the
correct sentence will show. His face
appeared in the Democratic press with
the word fraud written across his
brow" Then, still a third instance
in which the information has been
twisted to suit the objectors. they say,
When Guiteau shot Garfield 1t was
in order to rid his country of a
traitor" Muzzey doesn't want to con-
vey that idea at all. Those are not
his words. The true sentence is. HE
did 1t. he (Guiteau) said, to rid his
country of traitor
to give us the truth. Not a truth
hidden far under a veneer Of lies
Why give US a book filled with melo.
drama, which pushes the truth far
into obscurity? Is 1t not better for us
to see how generations before us met
the difficult problems confronting
them? How else can this be done
without the truth? I have just finish
ed studying this book. and I, as well
as my classmates. are just as true
and patriotic Americans as when we
started. Why give us some sugar
coated thing? Give us the truth and
we can accept 1t with a grain of salt.
Muzzey says himself he did not fill
his history with battles because he
wants 10 show the coming generation
how our great country WAS formed
and the critical events that tempered
the steel for further trials. I. as d
student Of Muzzey. appeal TO you. give
US the text filled with truth that we
may better assume the most noble
ambition OF our lives. becoming a
citizen OF the United States.
BARRY THAVIS.