Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-10-29
Western Democratic Re-
view,
AND MONTHLY MAGAZINE.


~
kAthose moral influences, which mould and
fashion soeissy,and work out great &lGsting rec
suits in social and political condition, been in
more active operation than at the present -
pooh. And while this remark iS just in regard
TO our country generally, it applies, with pecu-
liar emphasis, to society in the Great Vest
There is among the people Ofthis vast Region;
a robust spirit and energy, not yet thoroughly
capable of being formed into
national chara-Ier more elevated ana grand
than any the world has yet seen; possessing
all the dignity and sternness of the old Ro-
man, without his rudeness; all the polish of
theancient Athenian, without h hiseffemincmcy lin
short, a character thoroughly AhERIoAN. Its
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 ofuurivaled beauty and magnif-
cence. Such elevation of character, and such
a sublime moral condition, Of the people Of this
Greet Western Empire, are capable IF realiza-
tion The Influence of an ably conducted
Magazine, established in the heart ofthe Miss
issippi Valley, would exercise, in the acheiv-
ment of these great objects, must be aparGnt
to every observer.
No social element is so active in producin
these glorious results, As the Democratic PIin
ciple, which pervades the hearts of our people
Ii is this principle which is working out new
order of society in our country, establishing
novel political institutions, stamping upon
man a new character, influencing our Legisla-
tion, aud is revoutionizing 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, de-
moLishing what hoary error had treasured up.
| and graphing, with its stroUs hand, every i'm
! stitution and law which savors of exclusive
| privilege, that some timid and uUphilosophcaI
spirits are siezed with alarm; and startIe at
imaginary horrors. They see, in Imagination,
all the Wild terrors of the French Revolution
er enacted, and all the beauty and harmony Of
! Civil Society, turned into furuos discoTd. But
such individuals should be admOnished, that
the Democrtic principle is the true principle
| of Conserv rvatism; that it Inns at the censerVa-
| tion Of mans rights, by the destruction of ev-
cry institution which would silently, but sure
/ ly, purloin them that its first care is MAN and
his FREEDOM, believing all political theories but
heresies, which are not based upon this broad
! foundation. This is the only lost and rational
meaning of the term Conservation, as applied
to our political Csnditon.
| Democracy is new element in civilization,
| or, perhaps, it may be more proper to say,
that il is developing itself in new
form in our modern American civilization
Various opinions are entertained as to ITS u!tI-
mate effects upon our social and political con-
dition, but every philOsOphic observer must n
gree, that whateve are to be its ultimate eff
fects, it is an active and powerful principle. Our
own opinion is, that, under proper direction. il
has great and priceless treasure in store for
mankind; that it is the companion of true
Christianity; that it is the spirit of benovo-
lence applied to man in his social and politi-
cal capacity; andthat it is destined to elevate
the American character to pitch of moral
grandeur unequaled in the history of the
mast.
Thus believing, to this end shall our hmm
oe labors be directed. II will be our aim, in
conducting our proposed Review, to embody. in
phi losophical disquisitions, free from offensive
: partisan bitterness, such sentiments as tend
TO the realization of this golden hope. And in
order to this, our work viii be thoroughly Dem
, ocIatic in princi lie and in sentiment. Such
great questions shall l. from time to time,
agilate the public mind, will be calmly ana
3 nationally reviewed, by the ablest pens of the
est
Besides our political departmental portion
cf our Magazine wy be devoted to such we'll
} written essays as wi be of general interest and
value to the people ofthe Mississippi Valley.
for il is intended to make ita Western, and
not all Ohio Periodical only. The Geography.
Geology. Statistics, and History ofthe Valley
will receive especial attention; for it is bo-
leved that these a imperfetly understood by
! the country generally, and our boundlsss re-
iources, not yet half developed, are rot proper.
u
|; our nav;gabIewaterswouldno be grossly neglect
I ed by the General Government.
In connection with the foregoing department.
of the Western Democratic Review, win
be our aim 10 make it. in a literary point of
} view, worthy the patronage of an enlightened
public; but it will be our purpose, also, to make
il food for the roas son and judgment, rather
than tho fancy to make it., in short, work Of
real utility to the St atesman, Philosopher, and
| to all who shall peIuse its pages.
j 1t is intended, also, TO devote a portion of
each number to 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 deSideTGtun1,a a Democratic Litera-
| ture. 1t has long been a source of rAgret, BIZ
| distinguished Democrats, that most of the
highest efforts of genius have been wasted in
i attempts that serve to make factitious dstinc-
tions in society and Govnment, that tend to de-
| press the masses; and hence, to snervate the
| humnn mind. The necessity ofa literature
that sympathizes with the "toiling millons,"
is as apparent, that comment is gratuitous lit is
one of tine wants ofthe age, Indeed, we need
not dilate upon the Importance ofsuch work,
| nor undertake to demonstrate its necessity
These considerations will readily occur to eveTy
thinking mind. The influence of a work which
| ives form and feature to public sentiment, and
m bodies the ganeral thought and aggregate idea
| 10 so vast a community must 10 sHOnBy
! felt throughout all the rami6cations
| of society, aud must serve to give homogeneous
ness to Western character.
Relying for our support particuary upon the
Democratic party, we have thus submitted
summary of our views and opnyns, and we now
commit eur enterprise to their generous SJmpa1
thies.
We have the promise Of aid from some OF the
most enlightened minds and ableSt writers in
the West and hnv emo doubt of success If q sufs
Gcient patronage can be obtained.