Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1879 — Pictorial History of the World. [ARTICLE]

Pictorial History of the World.

The school law by making the history of the United States one of thO't&mmon whool branohee, promotes this ptudy, which u es the greatest importance considering the character of our political institution*.' The law does this because such knowledge is deemed neceeenry to tbu proper exereiee of citizenship in n free eeuntry. This is well, bat comparison is of the greatest importance in historical studies. The value of our knowledge of American history is greatly increased by tu poeseeeors being able to compare oar struggle for freedom with the struggles of other nation* and peoples: by being able to compare the wisdom of our country's founders with that of the founder s of the nations which have grown and decayed in the past; by being able. to compare our political institutions with those of other eivUised nations; by being able to eooapnro the disinterested devotion of oar patriots with that of other heroes of the put and present; by being able to compare the plans presented by our statermen for the perfection and perpetuity of, our freedom with the plan* proposed sin other periods end ooantries. A certain amount cf each knowledge ia almost Indispensable to the American citizens, but time will net allow the elndy of whole libraries. It can only be ebtained in practical form in some standard outline of general history. Nor can I well too how the teacher can properly elucidate the brief statements of our local history without some knowledge of general history and the poeeeeelon of some standard outlihsAS a tx»k of reference. After a perusal of the proepootna of ♦•The Pictorial History of the World,' for which Mr. w. 8. Beery is agent for Jasper county, I can frankly command it to touchers, advanced pupil* and eltiaens generally ii a work well fitted to supply tie much needed knowledge of other time* end peoples es the world. •!• «• Snownr.