Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-11-18
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 no
disdain of tasteful selections, though its
matter has been, as ii will continue 10 be,
in the main, original.
Party Politics and controversial Theo-
Iogy, as far as possible, are jealousy ex.
Guided. They are sometimes SO blended
with discussions in literature or in moral
science, Otherwise unobjectionable, as to
gain abundance for the sake of the more
valuable matter TO which they adhere: but
whenever HAT happens, they are Incident
al, only; not primary. They are dross.
tolerated only because it cannot well be
severed from The sterling ore wherewilh it
IS Incorporated.
Reviews, and Critical Notices, occupy
their due space in the work and it is the
Editors aim that they should have q three
fold iendency-to convey, in condensed
form, such valuable truths or interesting
incidents os are embodied in the works
revewed,-to direct the readers attention
10 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 aud multitude distract
and overwhe!m every Understanding
student, impartial criticism, governed by
the views ust mentioned, is one Of the
most nesinabc and indispensable of aux
diaries, TO him who does uioh TO 6iscrimi-
naic.
Essays, and Tales, h,ving in view util.
ity or amusement. or both-lilstorical
Sketches--and "reminiscences Of events
TOO minute for History, yet Calculating it,
and heigh.ening its inIeIest,-may be re-
gardcd as forming the staple of the work.
And of Indigenous Poetry, enough is pub
lished--sometimes If no mean strain to
manifest and to cultivate the growing pc.
e,ical taste and talents Of our country.
The times appear, for several reasons,
- demand such . wogk--and not one
,4ane, bat many. Tie public mind is 70,
versh and irit4,ed still, from recent poll
tica str,feS Tho SOY, assnasivc inau-
cGce of Literature is needed, 10 eilay that
fever, and soothe that irritation. Vice and
folly are riolng abroad They should be
driven by indignant rebuke, or lashed by
ridcule, into their fitting haunts. lgno-
rance lords it over an immense proportion
Of our pcopc:-Every spring shor!d lie
set in motion, to arou' The enlightened,
and to increase their U:r'hcr; so that The
great enemy Of pnlar governm Mt may
40 longer brood, like poltentous cIoul,
over The destnics Of oar country. And TO
accomplished these cn's, what more pow
crful ngcnt can e employed, than a peri
odical, on The piaa of the Messenger; if
that plan be but carried Out in placucei
The SouTu peculiarly requires s"cn an
agent. In all the Union, south Of Wash
ing,on, there are but two Literary period
icals! Nurhwarl of that city, there are
probably at least twenty Il, G or thirty! Is
this contrast jrstii, d by the wealth, the
leisure, the native talent, or the actual lit
crary taste, of the Southern people, com.
pared with these of the Northern No:
for in wealth, talents, and taste, we may
Justly claim at least an eqality with our
brethren; and domestic institution exclu.
sively our own, be" ond all doubt affords
us, if we choose, twice the leisure for
reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t was from a deep sense of this local
want, that the word SOUTHERN was engraft-
ed on the name of this periodical: and not
with any design TO nourish local prejudi-
ces, or TO advocate supposed local interests.
Far from any such thought, it is the Edi-
tors iervent wish, to see the North and
South bound endearingly together forever,
in the siken bands Of mutual kindness and
affection. Far from meditaing hostility
to the north, ne has already drawn, and he
hopes hereafter 10 draw, much Of his choi-
cest matter thence: and happy indeed will
re deem himself, should his pages, by ma
king each region know The ether better,
contribute in any essential degree to dis
pei forever the lowering clouds that 50
lately threatened The peace of both, and
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties
of fraternal love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has
now nearly completed its NINTH VOLUME,
and NINTH YEAR. How far it has acted
out the ileas here uttered, is not for the
Editor TO say. He believes, however, that
it falls not further shot of them, than hu.
man weakness usually makes Practice fall
short of Theory.
CONDITIONS OF THE SOUTHERN
IrHED Adv