Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-11-26
BALCONY FALLS.
For Tie ENQnirt

/ nc season ol poliUcdl excitement mas nearly
subsided and the public mind has we'll nigh
reached its wonted calmness and compo>ure. In
terc,ts and subjects which have, during The polili
cal canvass suffered for encouragement and sup
port. now demand our careful attention. These
have been neglected ior time, and it cannot he
too soon 10 begin TO be>;ow on them The attention
they 50 much need and require. Among these
Literature stands preemncni, and il is 10 this
that we would call the attention oi your readers al
the present time. Every one must admit that IN
our State this receives too little encouragement
While Virginia has been the mother OF Presidents
and statesmen. and while every Virginan feels a
pride in remembering that this is so yet she has
given birth 10 very few who have increased and
improved our national li.era,me This cannot
result from mental inability, or wan, OF educa-
ton and refinement II must be due 10 The liu!e
attention and encouragement literature has re-
ceived in our Stale. The fac, that no correc, AMI
complete history OF Virginia has ever been writ
ten proves the correctness of this assertion
Public attention has never been brought 10 bear
on this important deficit, and public opinion has
never been fully expressed; and, therefore, our
Legislature has failed 10 attend TO il. SO soon a.
this is done, and so SOON as the minds OF The peo-
pie become awakened 10 their true interests and
glory. we believe that measures will be put III
operation 10 rescue from oblivion oar colonial
history, and 10 emhla2on, on history'S imperisha-
bic page the renown and noble career of orr mo.
Their State
To excite public sentiment on this subject a.
well as on literature in general we would suggest
tia, q estate Lii.TGrB Conrcatinu" be held al
such place and time as propriety and expedency
will dictate. There are many important oblecis
which might well engage the attention and con-
sidcration OF this Convention, and surely there is
H.,
to carry out these objects. Il there is rot, then
cur University and FIVE Colleges have aided bnl
in a small degree the advancement and improve
mcn' Of our people.
The interests Of Virginia, and Of The South
demand that more attention be- paid 10 literature
and science. II does seem strange, and il j. 4
shame that III 80 great an extent oi country.
where there is 80 much wealth and intelligence,
We have only one ar two literary organs, Of am
note. through which the views Of our writer's and
scholars NAV be divulged. We have permitted
the Northern States Ia leave lis far behind in this
respect. and there is no ground Tor excuse
Surely there is sufficient material upon which 10
commence TO build our lileraiurc-not only the
natural scenery and majestic beauty of our sa-
vannahs and fores,s-not only the records Of our
Revolutionary struggles, but the peculiar nature
Of our institutions, the state of society, and the
biography of some Of the greatest men who have
ever figured on the worlds theatre. II i, time
that the South should begin 10 act, in unison with
the North, in building mp a National literature;
and il is proper INA. Virginia should take the
lead Ii This Convention can do any thing 10
further such result surely it must meet with the
warm appreciation oi every true lover OF his
country For what is National literature, and
what ale lis benefits and effects Ii has been de-
incl la be the expression OF nations mind in
writn9-lhc exhibition oil il in the only manner
in which II can BE- enlarged and improved. II is
the most efficient, agent in improving and emhcl-
fishing national character, and without ii no ma
ton can be seen in lis true ligh'. To us is il cs-
pccaly necessary. II would elevate public SEN
timen', sober down party prejudice, and curb
pary rancor To this We must look for the
means of raising orr national character abroad
Thu. would give us Il closer fellowship with the
most enlightened nations Of the earth. Ii would
present a fair field. ON which the North and South
might meet, unembiitered by sectional hatred
1t would reflect the beauties ard excclcncies Of
our Government, as the crystal lake mirrors back
the glories of the clear, uncloudcd sky and hold
up 10 the world the true exhibition Of American
character. When an elevated National litera-
lurc shall have been established, foreign nations
will not depend upon travellers and tourists Tor
information concerning our advancement, in lite
nature, science and The fine arts, and there will
be no chance of misrepresentation.
With these few remarks upon the suggestion
We have made, we submit it 10 the consideration
of those who know better how 10 act in carving
il ont We hope those who may concur with MS
will give an carly expression al their views and
we solicit The aid and corporation of The public
prints in the State. HYPERION.
Nottoway, Nov. -, 1911.