Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-07-09
T. w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
FNHIS is a monthly Magazine, devote,

FNHIS is a monthly Magazine, devoted
4 chiefly to Literature, but occasionally
finding room also for articles that fall within
the scope of Science; End not protesting an
entire disdan of tasteful selections, though its
matter has been as it will continue to be, In
the main original.
Party Politics and controversial Theology,
as far as possible, are jealousy excluded.
They are sometimes so blended with discus
sions in literature or In moral science, other
wise unobiectionable, as to gain admittance
for the sake of the more valuable matter to
which they adhere: but whenever that hap
pens, they are incidental only not primary.
They are dross tolerated only because it can
not well be severed from the Sterling ore where
with it is Incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their
due space In the work and it is the editors
aim that they should have threefold tenden-
cy-to convey in a condensed form, such valu-
able truths or interesting incidents as are en-
bodied in the works reySewed,-to direct the
readers attention to books that deserve TO be
reaG,-add to warn him against wasting time
and money upon that large number, which
merit only TO be burned. In this age, of publ
cations that by their variety and multitude dis
tract and overwhelm every Understanding
student impartial criticism governed By the
views aforementioned, is one of the most inesti-
mable and indispensable of auxiliaries. tohim
who does wish to discriminate
Essays, and Tales, having in view utility or
amusement, or both-Historicel Sketches
and "reminiscences of too minute for History.
yet calculating it and heightening ITS inter-
est,-may be regarded as forming the staple
of the work. And of Indigenous Poetry,
enough is NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of no mean
strain-to manifest and to cultivate the grow
ing poetry taste and talents of our coun-
try.
The time appears, for several reasons, to
demand such work: andnot one alone, but
many. The public mind is feverish and irrita-
ted still, from recent political strifes. The
soft assuasive influence of literature is needed,
to allay that fever and smoothe that irritation.
Vice and folly are rioting abroad: they should
be driven by indignant rebuke, or lashed by
ridicule, into their fitting haunts. Ignorance
lords it over an immense proportion of our peo-
pie. Every spring should be set in motion, to
arouse the enlightened, and to increase their
number; so that the great enemy of popular
government may no longer brood, like a por-
tentous cloud over the destines of our country.
And to accomplish all these ends, what more
powerful agent can be employed, than peri
odical, on the plan of the Messenger; if that
plan be but carried out in practice!
The South peculiarly requires such an agent.
In all the Union, south of Washington, there
are but two literary periodicals! Northward
OF that city, there probably are at least twen-
ty-five or thirty! Is this contrast justified by
the wealth, the leisure. the native talent, or the
actual literary taste, of the Southern people,
compared with those of the Northernl No /:
for IN wealth, talents and taste, we NAV Justly
claim at least an equality with our brethren !;
and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt, affords us, if we choose. twice
the leisure for reading and writing which they
enjoy.
1t was from deep sense of this local want
that the word Southern was engrafted on this
periodical; and not with any design to nour
lsh local prejudlces or to advocate supposed
local interests. Far from any such thought. II
Is the editors fervent wish to see the North
and South bound endearingly together forever.
IN the sIlken bands of mutual kindness and af-
lection. Far from meditating hostility to the
North, he has already drawn, and he hopes
therefore to draw much of his choicest matter
thence: and happr indeed viii he deem him.
sell, should his pages, by making each region
Know the other better, contribute in any es-
sential degree to dispel the lowering clouds
that now threaten the peace of both, arr -
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of fra =
ternal love- ''0s ol ira-
Inc Southern Literary Messenger has now
reached the 18th No of the third volnne
How Tar 1t has acted out the ideas here uttered
is not tor the editor to say. He believes how
ever, that 1t falls not further short of them than
human weakness nr,,oll,- ..,.i--. De-. n