Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-06-27
PROPOSALS
SOufhern Review.

yMyUE. Subscriber, III proposing the rr-cS-
II tablshment of the Southern Kew w,
deems it unnecessary to refer TO thu history I'll
that work, which is already in the possession u
the public, or TO dwell on the high estimation III
which il was held both at home and abroad du-
ring the period of its continuance. Suffice u
TO say, that It's career, though brief was, us all
admit, brilliant-creditable to the South ana H.
the whole American Union. Its faiure-'he
subject Of universal rggret-was owing, II Is
well known. hot to destituton OF talent ana
public spirit, but arose 1st from its Limited cir
culaton, which was by no means adequate TO
sustain work of such magnitude, and 2ndy,
from the political differences which agltated the
COUNTRY about The time OF its dlscontlnuahce,
dividing the friends Of Southern Literature IN
to two great parties. and preventing thai mar
mony of opinion and cooperation IN the DIS
cusson of leading questions. which is desirable
in work professedly devoted to the cause ol
the South and the whole South.
II is proper TO consider first, the u'ilit. OF
Reviews, regarded as organs of the literary spi-
rit and opinions Of the age, and So ondIy, The
Importance and necessity of establishing such
a.work at the Sou h, 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. AMI
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 eminencp. either in Great Britain ar
America, IN comparison with the half nInry
that preceded it. and the reason probably Is, not
that there has been a want OF genius. talent aud
scholarship in this cOnicSsedly intellectual age
but simply because distinguished scholars have
found n reader and better organ through
which to act directly OIL the public mind in Re-
views, than through the medium Of bookS-lhe
old, more tedious and 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 bnast-the re-
pIv is that it is to be found III the high character
Of the Quarterly Reviews abroad and at home
If it be affirmed, that we have no native lliela-
ture in this country, ana therefore no materials
to furnish the ground work for Reviews, the ALI
swer is, that our Reviews constitute our native
literature, and that if learning aud scholarship
are sought for, they are 10 be found in our Re
views, which therefore should he warmly and
firmly supported, as an evidence. and n fair one,
of our literary pretensioms and olr national
character. Besides, no one cause. il may be
safely affirmed has contributed sn much to eli
cit talent, to awaken literary ambition, and to
produce the highest or'ler Of fine and powerful
writing, as the establishment of R,vi ws; and
many individuals have been stimulated to 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 Il cllaractel-
individuals who, Otherwise, in all probability.
would never have been tempted to test their
strength on the literary arena with such cornpet-
itors as they would be likely TO meet there.
The great aim of Reviews is, to discuss sub
iects learnedly thoroughly, ,profonndIy-in such
:, manner Us to bear upon the whole social sys
tem and produce broad. deep and permanent
impression upon the general character of peo-
pe: In one word. their object is to diffuse
knowledge. not to foster prejudiccs-io creme.
direct and control-not 10 echo opinions-to
produce beneficial changes upon large scale
NOT to perpetuate or even tolerate existing a.
buses 1t Is obvious, therefore, that while, in
the infancy Of American literature n spirit of
indulgence has been felt and extended 10 the
Eauts 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 drbutan, Quarterly Reviews,
having higher aims to accomplish and intend
ing TO represent and embody, in the most pow
erful and attractive FORM the opinions only of
the most enlightened minds should be con-
Quoted with scrupulous resar'! TO the pnrest
p,inciples of taste, apd To the elevation and ad-
vancement of our literary and national char
actor.
In respect to the importance and necessity of
establishing such work at thc South at the
nrrsent time. there can be little doubt in the
minds of our discerning and public spirited
ci,izens. We must have such work or fall
behind the spirit Of The age. which is ola pre-.
eipincn,lv inquistive and cnterprisin" cI'arac-
,cr and the South should have such work. ,n"t
only from motives oflitcrarv pride and clpr!a.
,;nn. in order 10 keep pacs' witt the respectable
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