Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-12-02
PROSPECTUS
OF THE
Southern Literary Messen.
ger.

This is a monthly Magazine, devoted
chiefly TO Literature, but occasionally find
ing room also for articles that fall within
the scope Of science; and protesting n
disdaih of tasteful selections, though lis
matter has been, as it viii continue 10 be.
in The main, original.
Party Politics and controversial Theo-
logy, us lar as possible, are jealousy ex.
Guided. They are sometimes so blende,
with discussions in literature or in moral
science, otherwise unobjectionable, as t,
gain admittance for the sake of the more
valuable matter to which they adhere: hui
whenever that happens, they are incident
al, only; not primary They are dross.
tolerated only because il cannot well be
severed from the sterling ore wherewih il
is Incorporated.
Reviews, and Critical Notices, occupy
their due space in the work: and it is the
Editors aim that they should have a three
fold tendency-to convey, in condensed
form, such valuable truths or interesting
incidents ss are embodied in the works
reviewed. TO direct the readers attention
TO books that deserve to be read.--and 10
warn him against wasting time and money
upon that large number, which merit only
TO be burned. In this age of publications,
that by their variety and multitude distract
and oyerwhelm every Understanding
student, impartial criticism, governed by
the views ust mentioned, is one OF the
mos, inesiimablc and indispensable of aux
iiaries, 10 him who does IRISH 10 discrimi
nate.
Essays, and Tales, hlving in view util-
ity or amusement. or both-Historical
Sketches-and "reminiscences Of events
too minute for History, yet Calculating ii,
and heightening its inierest,-may be re-
Garded us forming the staple of the work
And of indigenous Poetry, enough is pub
lished-sometimes of no mean strain to
manifest and to cultivate the growing pc.
etical taste and talents of our country.
The times appear, for several reasons,
to demand such a work--and not one
alone, but many. The public mind is fe-
verish and irritatcd still, from recent poll
tical strfes The SOFT assuasive infu-
ence of Literature is needed, to allay that
fever, and soothe that irritation. Vice and
folly are rioting broad:-They should be
driven by indignant rebuke, or lashed by
ridicule, into their fitting haunts. Igno-
rance lords it over an immense proportion
Of our peop!e:-Every spring should be
set in motion, to arouse the enlightened,
and to Increase their number; so that the
great enemy OF popular government may
no longer brood, like poItenlous cloud,
over the destinies OF our country. And TO
accomplish all these ends, what more pow
eriu agent can lie employ ed, than peri |
odical, Oh The plan of the Messenger; il !
that plan be but carried ont in pracllcei
The South peculiarly requires such an
agent In all the Union, south Of Wash |
inston, there ARE but Two Literary period |
icaIs! Northwarl Of that city, there are
probably al least twenty five or thirty! Is |
this contrast justified by the wealth, the |
leisure, the native talent, or The actual lit |
erary taste, of the Southern people, COM
pared with those of the Northern? No: |
for in wealth, talents, and taste, we may
Justly claim at least an eqdlity with our
brethren; and domestic institution excIu.
sively our own, bc"ond all doubt affords
US, if we choose, twice the leisure for
reading and writing, which they enj ~.
1t was from deep sense of this local
want, that the word SOUTHERN wa. engraft
ed on the name of this periodicals; apd not
with any design 10 nourish local prejudi
ces, or to advocate supposed local interests.
Far from any such thought, it is the Ed
tors iervenl wish, to see the North and |
South bound endearngly together forever,
in the silken bands of mutual kindness and |
affection. Far from meditaling hostility
TO the north, he has already drawn, and he
hopes hereafter 10 draw, much OF his choi-
cest matter thence: and happy indeed will
lie deem himself, should his pages, by ma.
king each region know The other letter,
contribute in any essential degree to dis.
pei forever the lowering clouds that 81
lately threatened the peace of both, ana
10 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties
of lraterna love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has
now nearly completed its NINTH VOLUME,
and NINTH TEAR. How far it has acted
out the IDEAS here uttered, is not Cor the
Editor 10 say. He believes, however, that
ii falls not further short of them, than hu-
man weakness usually makes Practice fall
short of Theory. II
CONDITIONS OF THE SOUTHERN