Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-05-23
PROPOSALS
Fo. REvIVING THE
Southern Review.

Y I'd
b tablisllment OF the Southern Revi.",
deems it unnecessary to refer TO the history OF
that work, which is ALREADY in the poss' ssion OF
the public, or to dwell on The high estimation II
which it was held both at home and abroad du-
ring the period of ITS continuance. Suince IL
TO say, that its career, though brief, was, as oil
admit, brilliant-crcdItable to the south and 70
the whole American Union. lis falure-tle
subject of universal regret-wos owing, II Is
well known not to destItuion Of talent and
public spirit, but arose 1st, from its limited clr-
culation, which was by no means adequate to
sustain work of such magnitude, and indy,
from the political differences which agitated the
country about the time of its discontInuance,
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 professedly devoted to the cause OF
the South and the 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, the
Importance and necessity of establishing such
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 the best evidence, nowadays, that can be
furnished of intellectual advancement, and the
prevalence of pure and elevated philosophy.
THE last half century has produced few au-
thors of eminence, either in Great Britain or
America, in comparison with the half injury
that preceded it, and the reason probably is, not
that there has been want of genius, taent and
scholarship in this con(cssedly intellectual age
but simply because distinguished scholars have
found reader and beticr organ through
which to act directly on the public mind in Re-
views, than through the medium Of books-the
old, more tedious and more expensive method.
If therefore, il be asked, what evidence is or
can be furnished of the superior intelligence
and progress of the present century-a pro-
gress of which we are so apt to b"ast-the re-
plv is that it is 10 he found in the high character
of the .narterly Reviews abroad and mt home.
II it 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
swer il. that our Reviews constitute our native
literature, and that if learning and scholarship
are sought for, they are 10 be found in our Re.
views, which therefore should be warmly and
firmly supported, as an evidence. and fair one,
character. Besides, 10 one cause. it may be
safely affirmed, has contributed so much to eli.
ri, talent, to awaken literary ambition, and to
produce the highest or,ler Of fine and powerful
| writing, rs the establishment of Reviews; and
many individuals have been stimulated 10 ex-
traordinary efforts, and have been subsequently
known far and wide to fame, in consequence OF
| 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 cornpct-
itors as they would be likely TO meet there.
The great aim of Reviews is, to discuss sub
jec,s ledrnedly thoroughly, ,prolonndly-in such
a manner as to bear upon the whole social sys-
tem and produce broad. deep and permanent
impression upon the general character OF pcO-
pie: In one word their object is to diffuse
knowledge. not to foster prejndices-to create,
direct and control-not TO echo opinions-to
produce beneficial changes upon large scale
mot to perpetuate or even tolerate existing a.
buses It Is obvious, therefore, that while. in
the infancy Of American literature spirit of
indulgence has been felt and extended 10 the
faults of our lighter periodicals, which IRE rap
idly issued from the press, and which have
served MS vehicles often for The attempts of the
mere literary dcbutnnt, Quarterly Reviews,
having higher aims to accomplish, and intend
ing to represent and embodv, in the most pow
ertil and attractive form, the opinions only Of
tho most enlightened minds should be con.
Quoted with scrupu'ous regard to the purrst
principles of taste, and 10 the elevation and nd
vancement of our literary and national char
acter.
In respect to the importance and necessity of
establishing such 4 work at the South at the
present time, there can be little doubt in the
minds of our discerning and public spirited
citizens. We must have such work. or fall
behind the spirit Of the age. which is ola pre-
eminently inquisitive and enterprisng charac-
ter, and the South should have such work,,,u
only from motives of literary pride and emnla-
ton, in order 10 keep pace with the respectable
advances 0fthe other wide, intelligent, aud thri.
wing sections Of the American republic, but also
because the South has. al the presc,t period es
pccially, certain great and leading interests Of
its own 10 promote. which can be most effectu.
alv subserved through the instrumcntility of
such periodical. II is not necessary to raise
The war cry against other portions OF the Union
who may feel disposed, as ;hey often do, to dif.
fer from US in their views Of our agricultural,
commercial and political interests, but it is i'm.
portant highly so, that we should take our
southern position firmly in the present attitude
OF our national affairs; that our position should
he clearly known and understood, both at home
aud abroad; that we should be ready to defend
ourselves and our institutions from all covert or
open assaults; that we should maintain the prin-
cipes of the Federal Constitution in its origin
al intention, with firm and unainching spirit,
and promote the cause of pure and elevated
literature by all the inducements that can be
held out to stimulate the ambition and pride OF
intelligent and chvalric people.
Propositions have beenfrequently made here
tofore for The revival of the Southern Review,
which unfortunately have not been crowned
with the success that was hoped or anticipated
Cor than Different causes hnu, hean assnned