Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1843-12-26
PROSPECTUS OF THE
Western Democratic Re-
view,
AND MONTHLY MAGAZINE.
b. b. TAYLOR, EDITOR AND PRoPRfeTo

L no period IN Anne Irlcan history have
IN those moral influences, which mould and
fashion sOciety,and work out great &lasting re.
suits. in socialand political condition, been in
more active operation than at the present a.
pooh. And while this remark is just in regard
to our country generally. il applies, with pecu-
liar emphasis, to society in the Great Vest
There is among the people ofths vast Region.
a robust spirit and energy, not yet thoroughly
nationalized, capable Of being formed into a
national chararter more elevated ana grand
than any the world has yet seen; possessing
all the dignity and sternnessof the old Ro-
man, without his rudeness all the polish of
theancient Athenian, without hseffemincmcv in
short, char cter thoroughly AMERICAN, II is
tie Office OF the Statesman and PHILOSOPHER to
seize on these elements of character. give
them proper direction, and finally shane them
into an order Ofunrivaied beauty and magnif
cence. Such elevation Of character, aud such
sublime moral condition, Of the people of this
Great Western Empire, are capable of realiza-
tion The SinAuence of an ably conducted
Magazine, established IN the heart oftho Miss
issippi Valley, would exercise, in the acheiy-
ment Of these great objects, must be apparent
to every observer.
No social element is 80 active in producing
these glorious results, As the Democratic Ptin.
ciple, which pervades the hearts of our people.
1t is this principle which is working out new
order of society in our country, ESTABLISHING
novel politicaL institutions, stamping upun
man new character, influencing our Legisla-
ton, and is revolutionizing all that pertains
to man in his social and political condition.
1t is because of the stubbornness and energy
with which this principle moves onward. de-
moLishing what hOary error had treasured up.
and grappGng, with its stroUg hand, every in
,.,I L., s,k
privilege, that some timid and uuphi,osophicaI
spirits are siezed with alarm; and startle al
imaginary horrors. They see, in imagination.
all the Wild terrors of the French Revolution
re enacted, and all the beauty and harmony Of
Civil Society, turned into furiuos discord. But
such individuals houLd be admonished, that
the Democrtic principle is the true principle
of Conservatism; that it q inns at the censerya-
tion OF mans rights, by the destruction of ey-
cry institution which would silently, but sure.
ly, purLoiu them; that its FIRST care Is MAN and
his FREEDOM, believing all political theories but
hereses, which are not based upon this broad
foundation. This is the only jdst and rational
meaning of the term Conservation, as applied
to our political Csndition.
Democracy is a new element in civilization.
or, perhaps, it may be more proper to say,
that it is developing itself in a new
lOtH III OuE uOutEH AMERICAN cIVlllZutlOn.-
Various opinions are entertained as TO its ultl-
mate effects upon our social and political con-
dition, but every philosOphic observer must a.
gree, that whatever are to be its ultimate eff
lccts, it isian active and powerful principle Our
own opinion is, that, under proper direction, ii
has great and priceless treasure in store for
mankind; that it isthe companion of true
Christianity; that IL is the spirit of beneyo-
lence applied to man in his social and politi-
cal capacity; aud that it is destined to elevate
the American character to a pitch of moral
gran deur nnequaled in 1he history of the
past.
Thus believing, to, this end shall our hmm
Bile labors be directed. II will be our aim, in
conducting our proposed Review, to embody. in
philosophical disquisitions, free from offensive
partisan bitterness, such Sentiments as tend
to the realization ofthisgolden hope. And in
order to this, our work will be thoroughly DEM
ocfatic in prnci lie and in sentiment. Such
great questions as shalL, from time to time,
agilato the public mind, will be calmly and
nationally reviewed, by the ablest pens of the
West. ~ @
Besides our political department. portion
CT our Magazinewill be devoted to such well
written essays aswil be of general interest and
lue to the people ofthe Mississippi Valley,
for il is intended to make ta Western, and
not an OHIO Periodical only. The Geography,
Geology. Statistics, and History ofthe Valley
will receive especial attention; for it is b.
lieved that these a imperfetly understood by
the country generally, and our bDundless re-
sources, not yet half developed, are not proper
ly appreciated otbeIwise the improvement of
our ;gabLewaterswouldn be grossly neglect-
cd BY the General Government.
In connection with the foregoing depa rtment
Of the Western Democratic Review, viii
be our aim tomake il, in literary point of
view, worthy the patronage of an enlightened
public but it will be our purpose, also, to make.
il food for tho reason and judgment, rather
than tho fancy; to make it, in short, q. work Of
reaiutility to the Statesman, Philosopher, and
to all who shall peIuse its pages.
1t is intended, also, 10 devote a portion of
each numberto BiOgraphical Sketches of dis
tinguished Western Statesmen.
The principal design, however, is, to supply,
as far as comes within the scope of such work,
that great desiderGtun1,a a Democratic LiteFa-
ture. : 1t has Tong been a source of regret, BIZ
DISTINGUISHED Demo :crats, that most Of the
highest efforts Of genius have been wasted in
attempts that serve to make factitous distinc-
tions in society and GOvInment, that tend to de-
press the masses and hence, to enervate The
human mind. The necessity of literature
that sympathizes with the 'ttoiling millions,''
isas apparent, that comment is grntuitous it is
ona of tine wants ofthe age. Indeed, we need
not diate upon the Importance of such work,
nor undertake TO demonstrate its necessity
These considerations will readily occur to every
thinking mind The einhuance of q work which
gives form and feature TO public sentiment, and
embodies the gansfal thought and aggregate idea
Of 50 vast community, must bO strongly