Ohio History Journal

EDITORIALANA.

HISTORICAL STUDIES.

The value of historical knowledge and study is being more and more

appreciated, especially as relates to the beginning and career of our own

illustrious country and state. Concerning this subject Professor Wallace

N. Stearns of Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, makes some most

timely suggestions, which we herewith publish, cordially approving the

same and recommending their consideration by our readers and especially

by all educators.

"In endeavoring to illustrate the legends and traditions of classical

countries, we frequently have had recourse to the use of similar inci-

dents in the history of our own land. For example, the migrations that

have occurred in the dawn of European history become more vivid by

comparison with similar phenomena in the period of American history

prior to and contemporary with the advent of white men. But students

frequently are found to be more ignorant of the illustrative material than

of the point illustrated. Of the wealth of lore at our very doors, of

the richness of legend and tradition, of the abundance of romance and

adventure it is not necessary to speak here.

"But acquaintance with this material must begin early. These stories

are as entertaining and as profitable as Mother Goose, and far more

conducive to patriotism. Students, as they grow older, would learn to

feel more than a commercial interest in their country. Would not a

feasible plan for arousing such interest be: 1. To introduce into the

curriculum of the public schools the study of the beginnings of Ameri-

can history? A suitable manual for such work, comparable with text-

books, on Greek and Roman antiquities, would be a prime necessity. 2.

To arrange a reading course for systematic study. Representative vol-

umes might be included in the circulating libraries.

"Such a policy would create an intelligent interest in a subject, a

knowledge of which could not fail to react beneficially on the student.

"This plan would help the archaeologist. Private collections, small,

but often valuable, are scattered and lost because the owners are ignorant

of the value of what they possess. The awakening of interest would lead

to the gathering up and preserving of these collections.

"This study would acquaint us with many ballads and legends now

practically forgotten, and further, we should have at our hand a story

replete with deeds of heroism and fortitude, of crushing failure and

triumphant achievements such as would fill with enthusiasm the most

apathetic."

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