Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-01-23
PROSPECTUS OF THE
Western Democratic Re-
NieK,
AND MONTHLY MAGAZINE.


"A those moral influences, which mould and
fashion society, and work out great &lastng re-
suits in social and political condition, been in
E,ore active operation than at the present ..
poch, And while this remark is just in regard
to our country generally, il applies, with pecu-
liar emphasis, to society in the Great Wests-
There is among the people ofthis vast Regionj
robust spirit and energy, not yet thoroughly
natonalized, capable of being formed into q
national chara+Ier more elevated and grand
than any the world has yet seen; possessing
all the dignity and sterriness of the old RO-
man, without his rudeness; all the polish Of
theanc lent Athenian, without hisefemincmcy ;n
short, chart cteT thoroughly AHERi6AN, Ills
the Office of the Statesman and Philosopher to
seize on these elements of character, give
them a proper direction, and finally shape them
into an order ofunrivaled beauty and magnif-
cence. Such elevation of character, and such
a sublime moral condition, Of the people of this
Great Western Empire, are capable Of realiza-
| tion The ainhuence of an ably conducted ,
Magazine, establishedin the heart ofthe Miss
issippi Valley, would exercise, in the achieve
ment of these great objects, must be apparent
to every observer. .. .
No social element is so activein 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
novel politicoL institutions, stamping upon
man a new character, influencing our IegisIa-
ton, aud is revoLutionizing all that pertains
to man in his social and political condition.
It is because of the stubbornness and energy
with which this principle moves onward, do
molishing what hoary error had treasured up,
and graphing, with its stroug hand, every in"
stitution and law which savors of exclusive
privilege, that some timid and uuphi!osOphical
siazad with alarm and ataFtl0 a
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 furuOs discOrd. But
= such individuals iouLd be admonished, tn at
> the Democrtic principles the true principle
o of Conservatism: that it aims at the censerVa-
y ton Of mans rights, by the destruction Of ev-
t cry institution which would silently, but sure
= ly,purloin them that its FIRST care is MAN and
e his FREEDOM, believing all political theories but
n heresies, which are not based upon this broad
6 foundation. This is the only just and rational
meaning of the term Conservation, as applied
= to our political Csndition.
! Democracy is new element in civilization,
q or, perhaps, it may be more proper to say,
y that it is developing itself in new
form in our modern American civilization
3 Various opinions are entertained as 10 its ultI-
!; mate effects upon our social and political con-
d dition, but every philosophic observer must a
gree, that whatever ate to be its ultimate ef-
fects, it is an active and powerful principle. Our
own opinion is, that, under proper direction, it
= has great and priceless treasure in store for
mankind; that it is the companion Of true
Christianity; that it is the spirit of benevo-
l.. lence applied to man in his social and poiti-
7 cal capacity; and that it is destined to elevate
4 the American character to a pitch of moral
gran deur unequaled in ihe history of the
past.
Thus believing, to this end shall our hnm
BILE labors be directed. 1t will! be our aim, in
conducting our proposed Review, to embody. in
philosophical disquisitions, free from offensive
|partisan bitterness, such sent montS as tend
n to the realization of this golden hope. And in
n order to this, our work will be thoroughly Dem
ocfatic in princi lie and in sentiment. Such
. great questions as shal L from time to time,
Ia agitate the public mind, will be calmly ana
y nationally reviewed, by the ablest pens of the
West. .. #.
n Besides our political departments portion
cf our Magazine will be devoted to such we'll
written essays as will be of general interest and
value to the people ofthe Mississippi Valley,
for it is intended to make itat Western, and
di not an Ohio Periodical only. The Geography,
Geology. Statistics, aud History ofthe Valley
he will receive especial attention; for it is be-
ri lieved that these imperfetly understood by
the country generally, and our boundless re-
cy sources, not yet half developed, proper
If Iy apprec lated; otherwise the improvement Of
ts our vgahIewaterswouldn be grossly negleet-
he ed by the General Government. '"
he In connection with the foregoing department
ry of the Western Democratic Review, win
IN be onr aim 10 make it, in literary point Of
1T view, worthy the patr onage of an enlightened
les public; but it will be purpose, also, to make
.it it food for the roason and judgment, rather
than tho fancy; to make it, in short, work ot
Lir real utility to the Statesman, Philosopher, and
ol to all who shall peJuse its pages. ....
ro It is intended, also, 10 devote portion Of
fo each number to Biographical Sketches Of dis
us tinguished Western Statesmen.
elf The principal design, however, is, to supply,
ay as far comes within the scope of such work,
ust that great de1deratWn,a Democratic Litera-
,se ture, 1t has long been source of regret, bS
er. distinguished Demo:crats, that most of the
W. highest efforts Of genius have been wasted in
attempts that serve to make Fictitious dlstine
tions in society and GovInment, that tend to de
Ist press the masses and hence, to snervate hi
ou humnn mind. The necessity of literature
that sympathizes with the S'toiling millionB,'
;u is as apparent, that comment is gratuitous sit
one of tine wants ofthe age Indeed, we neeI
not dilate upon the Importance fsuch work
=; nor undertake TO demonstrate its necessity
These considerations will readily occur to even
y" ~ thinking mind. The influence of work which
mt gives lOEh anu oo'uLo W Puo'iS s9ANioht1 ons
SmbOdiOs the ganeraI thought and aggregate idSa
as' 70 90 vast community, must be strongly
n felt throughout all the raMi6cationG
80 of society, and must serve to give homogeneous
ness to Western character.
- Relying for our support particularly upon the
Democratic party,we have thus submitted Z
summary of our views and dOpiniyns, and we non
,m commit our enterprise to their generous SSmpAs
Vh thies.
- We have the promise Of aid from some Of the
~ ~ most enlightened minds and ableSt writers in
the West, and have ne doubt Of suecesSif sut
Gsisnt patronage can be obtain ed. n,nt 'aI
- ..e. ..a, B. B. TAYLOR, 4,
~ TERMS.