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nnt phases of our history that havo us yot mtido my idea dour, you soo that the idea
only boon just touched upon, so there aro method, as it seems to me, ib to combine
other vital principles around which to group wisely and judiciously the study ot! text-books
facts for still another review. The economic with the study of documonts. The true
life of the peoplo is yot to bo unfolded, study of history cannot bo secured without
"Wo next trace the development of the idea the latter is incorporated as a part, at least,
of a protective tariff; we noto the systems of of tho work. Without it, the work will
taxation adopted at various times and by the almost certainly dogenerato into a more com-
differont parties. The feeling of the peoplo mitment of so many paragraphs or pages,
in regard to taxes, to banks, to the public and will secure none of Hie results that we
debt, are all touched upon and investigated agreed must bo attained from tho study of
as far as time will permit. Finally, we go history. Tho use of original documonts will
over tho same period once more with the afford the best means to secure mental cul-
leading idea in our mind of tracing the rise ture; a wise use of texts will furnish infor-
and development of the opposing principles mation with tho least waste of energy a
of freedom and slavery, of free labor and proper spirit in either method or in the two
slave labor. "We follow the struggles in combined will give the greatest moral dovel-
congress, wo see how little conscience there opment.
was at first on the subject; wo trace the Perhaps a word here in regard to the
divergence of interests between north and spirit in which the study of history should
south; wo see how finally almost every ques- bo approached may not be amiss. The one
tion discussed turns on its supposed effects on aim should be to get at tho truth. Perhaps
this institution; we note the laws passed, or a greater end still is to get the pupil so in
the lack of laws; tho Missouri struggle; in love with tho truth that he will be satisfied
fine all issues, whether economic, political, with nothing else. Now this end can not be
social or moral, we find, aro more or less ranched in the old method of teaching and
interwoven with slavery and freedom, contest- studying history; a method requiring only
ing for the mastery. In this review, occurs the the commitment of so many pages of words
finest opportunity to show that law governs in and dates to memory. En this method, the
history, as elsewhere, and that the greatest pupil does not investigate; he gains no
statesmen are little more than puppets in thought; in fact, he does not deal with
the hands of principles struggling for the facts at nil; he has no idea of principles, no
mastery. Now, in each review conducted in proper conception of history; ho does not
this way, the subject presents itself in a new see that law prevails in the history of man
light, and the interest is kept at the boiling as well as in tho history of things; he does
point, if I may so speak. In order to under- not appreciate that there is a continuity in
stand fully the method I am attempting to history, that the present is only the summing
illustrate, another thought must bo in mind, up of all the forces that have been at work
viz: that at each time over the subject we in the past. Or, if he does understand
must try to got a little deeper into the mat- these things, he gets his knowledge, not
tor, and that wo must depend each time because of it, but in spite of, his teaching.
more and more on the original sources. A
general view is obtained; then we begin
specializing. After we have the general
view, we are able to understand tho connec-
A student taught in the old way has not
been led to see that similar causes, under
similar circumstances, will produce similar
results. If tho facts aro properly presented,
tions when we read, for example, Hamilton's what boy or what girl of twelve or fifteen
Report on Manufacturers, Calhoun's Report years of ago even, will not be intensely in
on Internal Improvements, or Clay's Speeches terested in discovering that tho principles or
on the Panama Congress. Thus, if I have ideas in Magna Charta aro similar to those
