Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-06-06
PROPOSALS
FO REYIYING THE
Southern Review.

~ NliE Subscriber, III proposing the r'-es-
IL tabllsmenl oil the Southern Revi w,
deems II unnecessary to refer 10 the history of
that work, which is alread, III the possession of
the public. or to dwell on The high estimation in
winch II was held both ut home and abroad du-
ring The period Of It's continuance. Suffice il
TO say thai us career though brief, was, as all
admit, briIliant-credtable to the south and to
the whole american Union. lis faure-Ihe
subject OF universal regret-was owing, il is
well known. not TO Il dcsttutiUn of talent and
public spirit, but arose 1st from its limited cir
culatlon, which was by no means adequate 10
sustain work Of such magnitude, and 2ndly,
from the politicaI differences which agliated the
country about Ihe time Of its dsconiinuance,
dividing the friends of Southern Literature in
to two great parties. and preventing that har-
mony OF opinion and cooperation in The dis
cusslon OF leading questions. which is desirable
in work proiessedIy devoted to tie cause Of
the South and the whole South.
Ii is proper 10 consider first, the utility of
Reviews regarded as organs of the literary spi-
rt 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.
lcal 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 a pure and elevated philosophy.
The last half centur! has produced few all-
thors of eminrncr. either in Great Britain or
.lmerca, IN comparison with the half C, injury
that preceded il, and the reason probably is, not
Jtns q ryn oC, 81.
scholarship in this conlessedly intellectual age.
but simply because distinguished scholars have
found n reader and better organ through
which to act directly on the public mind in Re-
views, than through the medium of books-the
old, more tedious mud more expensive method.
If therefore, it 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 boast the re.
ply is that it is TO be found in the high character
of the -uarterly Reviews abroad and at home.
II it be affirmed, that we have no native li,era-
tuire in this country, and therefore no materials
to furnish the round work for Reviews, the AL
swrr Is, that our Reviews constitute our native
literature, and that if learning and scholarship
are sought tor, they are 10 be found in our Re.
views, which therefore should be warmly and
firmly supported, as an evidence. and fair one,
OF our literary pretensious and our national
character. Besides, no one cause il 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; AM
many individuals have been stimulated TO ex.
traordnary efforts. and have been subsequently
known far and wide to fame, in consequence of
the opportunities they have enjoyed and impro-
ved of contributing successfully to works of so
Influential and highly respectable a charactel-
individuals who, otherwise, in all probability.
would never have been tempted to test their
strength on the literary arena with such compet
tors as they would be likely to meet there.
The great aim of Reviews is, to discuss sub.
jects ledrnedly thoroughly ,prof0ilndly-in such
manner as to bear upon the whole social sys
tem and produce broad. deep and permanent
impression upon the general character of a peo.
pie: In one word. their object is to ditfi,s,,
knowledge, not to foster pr"judces-to creae.
direct and control-not to echo opinions-tu
produce beneficial changes upon large seal,
MOTTO perpetuate or even tolerate existing a.
buses. II Is obvious, therefore, that while. i'm
the infancy OF American literature a spirit Of
Indulgence has been felt and extended to the
faults OF our lighter periodicals, which are rap
idly ssned from the press, and which have
served rs vehicles often for the attempts of the
mere lite ry dcbutant, Quarterly Reviews.
having higher aims TO accomplish, and intend
ing to represent and embody, in the most pow
erflll and attractive form, the opinions only Of
the most enlightened minds should be con.
ducted with a scrupuous regard to the purpst
principles OF tnste, and 10 the elevation and ad.
vancement of our literary and national char.
actcr
In respect to the importance and necessity of
establishing such work at the South at the
present time. there can be little doubt in the
minds OF our discerning and public spirited
citizens. We mnsl have such q work. or fall
behind the spirit Of the age. which is of pre.
inqusitivr and ent"rprising cIlarac-
ter, and the South should have such work,uot
on from motives of literary pride and enuIa.
iinn. in order To keep pace with the respectable
advances ofthe ntlier wide, intelligent, aud thri.
wing sections of the American republic, but also
brcausc the South has, Il: the present period es
peclally, certain great and leading interests of
It's own to promote. which can be most effectu.
allv subserved through the nstrumcnt;lity of
such periodical. II is not necessary 10 raise
:he war cry against other portions of the Union
who may feel disposed, as hey often do, to diff:
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
o. our national affairs; that our position should
he clearly Known and understood. both ut home
and abroad; that we should be ready to defend
ourselves aud our institutions frnm all covert or
lee. I,at.. ....lz y
ciples 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 thai can he
held ont to stimulate the ambition and pride of
intelligent and chivalric people. q
Propositions have becnfreqnently made here
tofure for the revival of the Southern Review,
which unfortunately have not been crowned
with the success thai was hoped or anticipated
for hem. Different causes have been assigned
for the failure of these pro ects, but the lraduo