Stories of the American revolution

Front matter

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Preface

As in the volume of stories which preceded this present collection, the basis of each is true historically. The incidents have been collected and selected from early works, many of which have long been out of print. It is hoped that these stories will present a phase of the great struggle which will not only interest the readers, but serve as well as a stimulus for them to make further investigations of their own.

A great history does not of necessity always mean a long history. The war of the American Revolution may not be great when it is considered in the light of a war ; but it certainly is great as an event. Those heroic struggles of our forefathers are as worthy of remembrance as the country they bequeathed us is worthy of preservation. Indeed, the two in a sense may be said to be joined. The price paid for an article sometimes enhances the value of the possession in the eyes of the possessor.

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PREFACE

The education of an American citizen to-day may be said not to be complete without a due appreciation of the aims, struggles, and efforts of those who have bequeathed their possessions to us. A heritage has no less value when we realize what it has cost in life and in sacrifice. Our ancestors lifted up a new banner before the gaze of the world. It is ours to hold it up.

And no country needs a strong patriotic feeling among its people so much as does a republic. But patriotism, to be valuable, must be intelligent ; and there can be no intelligence without knowledge. Inspiration to be patriotic can .best be incited by learning of and from those who were themselves patriots. One such man as George Washington is worth more to our land than a horde of men who can only “ make money.”

The brave deeds and almost forgotten heroism of men and women whose names are all unfamiliar to-day are worthy of our investigations. They are all incentives to better things, to nobler lives, and to the making of better citizens. The greatness of a nation is not to be measured by the number of names upon the census rolls, the amount of money in the banks, or the increased ability with which we are enabled to move from city to city. All

PREFACE

V these are elements, but the supreme test of prosperity is to be found in the lives of its people — • the quality, ideals, and loves.

So, a knowledge of our own history, an appreciation of the efforts of our ancestors, a familiarity with their lives of privation and heroic struggle for what they believed to be right, are all as necessary for good citizenship to-day as a foundation is needful for a house. Good citizens become good patriots, and true patriots are ever good citizens.

“ Breathes there the man with soul so dead,

Who never to himself hath said,

This is my own, my native land ? ”

In the hope of stimulating the best efforts and aims of the younger people, as well as to interest and indirectly instruct them, this volume is sent forth.

Many of these stories have previously appeared in various periodicals. For permission to use them in this present form the author desires in this public manner to express his thanks to The Outlook , The Independent , The S. S. McClure Company, Our Young People , The Bacheller Syndicate, For - ward , and others.

EVERETT T. TOMLINSON..

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General Schuyler’s Wife .

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