Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-05-09
PROPOSALS
Fob REvIvING THE
Southern Review.

deems II unnecessary to reier 10 the history or
that work, which is already III the possession OF
the public. or TO dwell on the high estimation in
which it was held both ut home and abroad. du-
ring the period Of ITS continuance. Suffice il
TO say, tha its career, though brief, wus, us all
admit, briliant-creditable to the South and to
the whole american Union. Its failure tho
subject OF universal regret-was owing, il is
well known. not to destitution of talent and
pubic spirit, but arose 1st from Its limited cir
culatioI,, which was by no means adequate 10
sustain work OF such magnitude, and 2ndIy,
from the political differences which agitated The
country about The time of its discontnuance,
dividing the friends of Southern Literature in.
to two great parties. and preventing that har.,
mony of opinion and cooperation in the dis
cussion of leading questions. which is desirable
in work professediy devoted to the cause OF
the South and tile whole South.
II is proper to consider first, the utility OF
Reviews. regarded as organs of the literary spi-
rit and opinions OF the age, and secondly, tho;
importance and necessity Of establishing such
q work at the South, at the present time. On
the first point, it is scarcely necessary to say
much, in the present advanced stage of period.
ical literature. Ably conducted Reviews are
the offspring of high state Of civilization, and
are tho best evidence, nowadays, that can be
furnished of intellectual advancement, and the
prevalence ol pure and elevated philosophy:
The last halt century has produced few ai,.
thors of em!nence. either in Great Britain or
America, in comparison with the half century
that preceded it, and the reason probably is, not
that there has been want of genius, talent and
scholarship in this conIessedly intellectual age,
but simply because distinguished scholars havo'
found u reader and better organ through
which to act directly on the public mind in Re-
views, than through the medium of book s-thei
old, more tedious and more expensive method
If therefore. it be asked, what evidence is O.
eau be furnished of the superior intelligence
and progress Of the present century-a pro-.
gress of which we are so apt to boast-the re-
ply is that 1t is to be found in the high character
of the Quarterly Reviews abroad and at home.
II II be affirmed, that we have no native litera.
ture in this country, and therefore no materials
to furnish the ground work for Reviews, the an,
swcr is. that our Reviews constitute our native
literature, and TINT if learning and scholarship
are sought for, they are TO be found in our Re.
views, which therefore should be warmly and
firmly supported as an evidence, and fair one.
of our literary pretensions and our national
character Besides, no one cause. it may be
safely affirmed, has contributed SO much to ell,
u uiiCIsl, W dWdh6U llt6TdTy dIlDtIUU, and 10,
produce the highest order Of fine and powerful
writing, as the establishment of Reviews; and,
many individuals have been stimulated to ey.
traordinary efforts, and have been subsequently
known far and wide to fame, in consequence or
The opportunities they have enjoyed and impro-
we'd, Of contributing successfully to works OF so
influential and highly respectable character--
individuals. who, Otherwise, in all probability,
would never have been tempted to test their
strength on the literary arena with such compct.
itors as they would be likely to meet there.
Tie great aim of Reviews is, to discuss sub.
jects learnedy thoroughly, profoundy-in such
manner as to bear upon the whole social sys-
tein. and produce broad, deep and permanent
impression upon the general character of a peo-
Pile: In one word, their object is to diffuse
knowledge, not to foster prejudices-to create,
direct and control-not to echo opinions--te
produce beneficial changes upon a.laEge scale
MOTTO .perpetlate Oh, even tolerate existing a.
buses. 1t Is obvious, therefore, that while, in
the infancy of American literature, q spirit Of
indulgence has been felt and extended to tho
faults of our lighter periodicals, which are rap-
idly Issued from the press, and which have
served as vehicles often for the attempts of tho
mere literary debutant, Quarterly Reviews,
Z
ing to represent and embody, in the most DOW.
erfnl and attractive form, the opinions only of
tho most enlightened minds should be con-
Quoted with scrupuous regard to the purest
principles nf tnste, nndto the elevation and ad-
vancement of our literary and national char.
acter.
Inrespect to the importance and necessity OF
establishing such work Of the South at the
fhoYo ho1; L.
minds OF our discerning and public spirited
citizens. We must have such a work, or fall
behind the spirit of the age, which is of a pre-
eminently inquisitiYe and entcrprising charac-
ter, and the South should have such q work,nos
only from motives ofterary pride and emua.
ton, in order TO keep pace with the respectable
advances ofthe other wide, intelligent, aud thri.
wing sections Of the American republic, but also
because the South has, at the present period es-
pecially, certain great and leading interests OF
its own 10 promote, which can be most effectu.;
ally subserved through the instrument,lity Of
such periodical. II is not necessary TO raise
:he war cry against other portions Of the Union
who may feel disposed, as they often do, to diff.
fer from rs in their views of our agricultural,
commercial and political interests, but it is i'm.
portant, highly so. that we sh6uld take our
southern position firmly in iheIpresent attitude
of our national affairs; that our position should
be clearly known and understood, both at home
and abroad; that we should be ready to defend
ourselves atd our institutions from all covert or
open assaults; that we shonld maintain the prin:
ciples of the Federal Constitution in its origin
alintention, with /, firm: and unfinching spirits
and promote the cause Of a pure and elevated
literature by all the Inducements that can be
held out to stimulate the ambition and pride Of
intelligent and chiyalric people. 10;
Propositions have been frequently made here.
tofore for the revival Of the Southern Review.
which unfortunately have not been crowned
with the success that was hoped or anticipated
for them. Different causes have been assigned
for the failure of these projects but the leading