Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-05-16
PROPOSALS
FOX REyIVING THE
Southern Review.


WyHE Subscriber, in proposing the rc-es-
n tablshment of the Southern Review,
deems it unnecessary to refer 10 the history Of
that work, which is already in the possession OF
the public, or TO dwell on the hi gl estimation IN
which it was held both ut home and abroad. du-
ring the period of its continuance. Suffice 1t
to say, thai its career, though brief, was, rs all
admit, brlliant-crcditable to the South and to
the whole American Union. Its failure-the
subject of universal regret-was owing, il is
well known. not to desttution of talent and
public spirit, but arose 1st, from its limited cir
culation, which was by no means adequate to
sustain work of such magnitude, and 2ndy,
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 quesuons, which is desirable
in work professedy 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 ofithe 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
ica literature. Ably conducted Reviews are
the offspring of high state of civilization, and
are tile 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 emineuce, 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 confessedly intellectual age
but simply because distinguished scholars have
found n reader and a better 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-
sress of which we are so apt to boast-the re-
ply is that it is TO be found in the high character
of the Quarterly Reviews abroad and at home
If il be affirmed, that we have no native liiera-
ture in this country, and therefore no materials
10 furnish the ground work for Reviews the an
swer is, that our Reviews constitute our native
literature, and that if learning and scholarship
are sought for, they ore 10 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 eli.
cit talent, to awaken literary ambition, and to
produce the highest order Of fine and powerful
writing, as 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 oil
the opportunities tliey have enjoyed and impro-
we'd, Of contributing successfully 10 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 compet-
itors as they would be likely 10 meet there.
The great aim OF Reviews is, to discuss SUBJ
jecis learnedly thoroughly, ,proloundly-in such
a manner as to bear upon the whole social sys.
tenn. and produce broad, deep and permanent
impression upon the general character of a peo-
pie: In one word, their object is to diffnse
knowledge. not to foster prejudices-to creale,
direct and control-not to echo opinions-to
produce beneficial changes upon large scale
-iot to perpetnate or even tolerute existing a.
buses. 1t 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 are rap
idly issued from the press, and which have
served as vehicles often for the attempts of the
mere literary debutnnt, Quarterly Reviews,
having higher aims 10 accomplish, and intend
lug 10 represent and cmbody, in the most pow
erlul and attractive form, the opinions only Of
the most enlightened minds should be con-
Quoted with scrupulous regard to the purest
principles Of taste, and 10 the elevation and ad-
vanccment of our literary and national char.
acter.
In respect to the importance and necessity of
establishing such work at the South at the
present lime. there can be little doubt in the
minds Of our discerning and public spirited
cilizeus. We must have such wcrk, or fall
behind the spirit Of the age, which is ola pre-.
cminently inquisitive and entcrprising charac-
fer, and the South should have such work,mot
only from motives of literary pride and emula.
lion, 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-
pccially, certain great and leading interests of
its own 10 promote, which can be most efectu-
ally subscrved through the instrumentality Of
such periodical. 1t is not necessary to raise
he war cry against other portions Of the Union
who may feel disposed, as they often do, to df:
fer from us in their views of our agricultural,
commercial and political interests, but it is i'm.
porlant, highly so: that we should take our
Il