Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-08-29
PROPOSALS
Fo, REvIvING THE
Southern Review.

that work. which is already in the possrssIonoi
the nubl;c, or 10 dwell on the hig gh estimation III
which il was held both at home and abroad. du-
rinp the period of its continuance. Sntilce II
to say. that lis career. though brief, ras. MS all
admit. brIliant-crcditablc TO the South and to
the whole American Union. It's fallnre-the
subject of universal regret-was owing, II is
well known. hot to destituion of talent and
public spirit, but arose 1st, from its limited cir
cnato, which was by no means adequate to
sustain work of such magnitude, and 2ndly,
from the political differences which agitated the
country about the time of its discontlnuance,
dividing thc friends Of Southern Literature IN
to two great parties. and preventing that mar
mony of opinion and cooperation IN the dis
cusson Of leading questions, which is desirable
in work prefessedly deroled to the cause oil
the South and the whole South.
It is proper to consider 6rst, the utility OF
Reviews, regarded us organs of the literary spI-
rit and opinions of the age, and secondly, ne
importance and necessity Of establishing such
work at the South, at the present time. On
the first point, it is scarcely necessary to say
mucll in the present advanced stage OF period
icaI 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 o.! pure and elevated philosophy.
The last half century has produced few au-
tbors of eminoncc, either in Great Britain or
america, in comparison with tho half crnluly
that preceded it, and the reison 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 a reader and a better ergan throngh
which to act directly on the public mind i'll 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, pro-
Gress of which we are so apt to bnast-the re-
Div is that it is to be found in the high character
of the Quarterly Reviews abroad and ut home.
[f it be affirmed. that we have no native lilela-
tllre in this country, and therefore no materials
to furnish the round work for Reviews, the an
swcr is. 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,
of our literary pretens;ons and our NATIONAL
character. Besides, no one cause. II may be
safely affirmed, has contributed 40 much to ell
Iii 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
traordnary efforts, and have been subsequently
known far and wide to fame, In consequence OF
the opportunities they have enjoyed and lmpro-
we'd, OF contributing successfully to works oil so
inlue ,ial and highly respectable charactei-
individuals who, Otherwise. IN all probability
would never have been tempted to test their
strength on the literary arena with such compet-
ilors as they would be likely TO meet there.
The great aim Of Reviews is, to discuss sub
iects learnedly thorough hy, ,profoundy-in such
a Rsnner "a To bear upon the whole social sys
tenn. and pro uce broad. deep and permanent
impression upon the general character OF a pro-
ple: In one word. their objert is to diause
knowledge, not to foster prejudices-to create,
direct and control-not 10 echo opinlons--to
produce beneficial changes upon large scale
NOT to perpetliate or even tolerate existing a.
buses. It IS obvious, therefore, that while, III
the infancy Of American literature spirit of
indulgence has been felt and extended to the
faults Of our lighter periodicals. which are rap
idlv issued from the press, and which hav"
served as vehicles often for the attempts of the
mere literary debutnnt, Quarterly Reviews,
having higher aims to accomplish, and intend
ing to represent and embody, in the most pow
erfn 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 nd
vancement Of our literary and national char
acter.
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 mus, have such a work, or fall
behind the spirit of the age. which is Of pre-.
cmncntlv inquisitive and entrrprisins cIarac-
ter, and the South should have such worksnot
only from motives of literary pride and emnla-
,ion, in order TO keep pace with the respectable
advances nfthe ,ther wide, intelligent aud thri-
cling sec ions of the American republic, but also
because the South has, Al the present period es.
pecialy certain great and leading interests of
It's own TO promote. which can be most effectu
alIy subserved through the instrument 'lity of
such periodical. 1t is not necessary to raise
The war crv against other portions Of the Union
who may feel disposed, as hey often do, to di(-
fer from us in their views Of our agricultural.
commercial and political interests, but it is i'm.
pnrtant, highly 50, that we should take our
southern position frmly in the present attitude
our national affairs; that our position should
he clearly known and understood, both at home
and abroad; that we should be ready to defenI
ourselves aud our institutions ir.m all covert or
open assaults; tha, we should maintain the prin-
ciples of the Federal Constitution in its origin
al intention, with firm and unfinching spirit,
and promote the cause of pure and elevated
literature by all the inducements that can be
held ont to stimulate the ambition and pride Of
intelligent and chivaric people.
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 pro ects but the leading
one undoubtedly is, the neglecdng to avail our
selves of very favorable state of the public
feeling by following up well digested plans
with vigorous and concerted action. We have
sat still-folded our hands and closed our eyes,
and ,beu have comnIained of uniyr rsal apathy