“There was greater need perhaps of a history to teach Georgia children Georgia’s part in the Revolution than of a history to teach them her part in the civil war. At their mother’s knee and from the fireside stories of their father they have learned admiration, reverence and enthusiasm for “the hero in gray with the heart of gold.” But it is important that Georgia children should know not only how Georgia has borne herself in battle, but her progress along the paths of peace. They should know not only her generals, but her preachers, her statesmen, her orators. The brothers, John and Charles Wesley and the eloquent Whitfield—their work in the cause of religion is a part of the history not only of Georgia, but of the world. George Watson, Archibald Bullock and Lyman Hall, the names of these Georgia signers of the Declaration should be honored in our State like those of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, for they all alike affixed their signatures to the American Magna Charter. And Georgia’s sons of a later date, Alexander H. Stephens, Benjamin H. Hill, Grady and Gordon—these names should stir every Georgia child to emulous endeavor.

And lastly they should know not only Georgia’s political history, but what she has contributed to the arts of civilization and the advance of humanity.

They should know that ether was first used in surgical operations by Dr. Crawford Ware, of Athens, Ga.; that as early as 1788 William Longstreet, of Augusta, Ga., had conceived the idea of running boats by steam, and that in 1806, a year before Robert Fulton’s boat, the “Clainnount,” made its trial trip on the Hudson, Longstreet had a boat propelled by steam on the Savannah. They should know that Wesleyan Female College in Macon was the first college in the world chartered to confer degrees on women, and that the North Georgia Agricultural College at Dalonega was the first. State institution to grant women the degree of A. B.”

Reference Data:

The Florida School Journal, Vol. 11, by Florida Teacher's Association, 1897, page 785