American College Libraries [pp. 714-723]

18AMERICAN COLLEGE LIBRARIES.
Earth," as learned in books of travel, especially in European countries, is a necessary preparation for a creditable reception in
society. Not to know Europe is not to understand the papers, or be
able to judge of w hat they say. So many persons born abroad are
among our adopted citizens, and so many of our own people now
go abroad every year, that he who cannot follow must read books
of travel, or stand at a mortifying disadvantage. Such books,
well chosen, on every important country of Europe, the library
should provide, and the student will gladly read.
Other men have an equal appetite for history. They are
ashamed not to know who lived on this planet before them,
and what they did. By every means should these inborn
passions be fostered. It is the duty of every college to
provide largely for a knowledge especially of American history. Our nation is to the full as unique in modern times
as Israel was in ancient. God's providence has made use
of each as a lighthouse for the world. Perpetuating the knowledge of that providence is one means of perpetuating the blessings which distinguish us above all other people. On the back
of his colossal statue of Washington, standing before the American capitol, Greenough chiselled these words: "Simulachrum
istud, in magnum libertatis exemplum, nec sine ipsa dutraturtrm,
faciebat Horatius Greenough." Whatever the truth of the inscription as it stands, it is certainly true that American institutions endure on condition of the continued knowledge of American history and principles among us. If the robust and
comely hero of this western Israel forgets his parentage
and his history, "then shall he become weak, and be as
another man." It is the imperative duty of American colleges to make known the history of our republic and of
our fathers. But, it is not enough to know it in the gross, and
in manuals; it must be known also in particulars, and in original sources. How shall we be sure that Bancroft has given us
the true history of our revolution, unless we have the contemporary narratives? Our history is the history of principles discovered, defended and maintained; we learn the principles, in
learning what it cost to establish them. Within the present
century, every considerable nation of Europe has been reprinting its old historians, and bringing to light its medieval records.
Our government leaves such enterprises to local historical societies. American colleges should help to cultivate, diffuse and
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