"In any case, his judgment and set of values, acting alone or through his assistants, determine not only what is gold and what is dross but the design of the history which he creates out of the metal. The historian decides what is significant, and what is not"

In this quote, Samuel E. Morison highlights the subjective nature of historical interpretation and the prominent role of the historian in forming our understanding of the past. The example of "gold and dross" recommends that historical realities belong to basic materials that the historian need to sift through. "Gold" represents occasions or realities deemed substantial, while "dross" represents those thought about unimportant or lesser. This choice process is not merely about discovering objective truths, but is affected by the historian's judgment and values.

Morison suggests that history is not a mere collection of realities however a narrative formed by the historian's options. The "style of the history" speaks with the structured narrative that historians create. It's a tapestry woven from the available realities, where the pattern is figured out by the historian's viewpoint. This design can differ significantly depending upon who is translating the past, as different historians might prioritize various events, influences, and outcomes based on their special viewpoints, cultural contexts, or prevailing societal worths.

Additionally, the reference of "acting alone or through his assistants" discreetly acknowledges that historical research is frequently a collective endeavor, yet still assisted mostly by the lead historian's vision. The assistants might help in gathering and evaluating data, but the supreme choices about what makes it into the historical story lie with the historian.

This point of view challenges the concept of history as an unbiased record, instead positioning it as a constructed narrative greatly dependent upon human interpretation. By deciding "what is substantial, and what is not", historians hold tremendous power in forming collective memory and understanding. Morison, therefore, calls attention to the critical role of the historian's authority, highlighting that how we perceive history is intricately linked to who is telling it and how it is being told. This underscores the significance of varied perspectives in historiography to ensure a more well balanced and detailed understanding of the past.