Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-11-12
Wastera Democratic Ro.
NEW,
AND MONTHLY MAGAZINE.


suits in social and political condition, been in
LloFe active operation than at the present e.
pOch. And while this remark is just in regard
to our country generally: il applies, with pecu-
liar emphasis, to society in the Great West
There is among the people ofthis vast Region,
a robust spirit and energy, not yet thoroughly
natiOnSlized, capable of being formed intOA
national charRster more elevated ana grand
than any the world has yet seen; possessing
all the dignity and stenness of the old ROs
man, without his rudeness; all the polish Of
theaneient Athenian. without hiseffemincmcy lin
short, chart ctef thoroughly AMERIcAN. Itis
the Office of the Statesman and Philosopher to
seize on these elements of character, give
them proper direction, and finally shape them
into an order ofunrivaled beauty and magni6-
cence. Such elevation of character, and such
a sublime moral condition, Of the people of this
Greet Western Empire, are capable Of realiza-
tion The Influence of an ably conducted
Magazine, established in the heart ofthe Miss
iasippi Valley, would exercise, in the acheiv-
ment of these great objects, must be APPARENT
to every observer. -a= -a
No social element is so active in producin
these glorious results, As tho 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 polite institutions, stamping upon
man a new character, influencing our Legisla-
ton, and is revotutionizing 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-
noIishing what hoary error had treasured up,
and graphing, with its stroUs hand, every in
stitution and law which Savors of exclusive
privilege, that some timid and uuphi!osophical
spirits are siezed with alarm; and startle at
imaginary horrors. They see, in Imagination,
all the wild toFrors of the French Revolution
er enacted, and all the beauty and harmony Of
Civil Society, turned into furiuOs discoId. But
such individuals skOuLd be admOniShed, that
the Democrtic principles the true princip
of ConserVa atfsm; that it aims at the censerva-
tion of mans rights, by the destruction of ev-
cry institution which would silently, but sure.
ly, purIoin them; that its first care 10 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 csndition.
Democracy is a new element in civilization,
or, perhaps, it may be more proper say,
that il is developing itself in a new
form in our modern American civilization
Various opinions are entertained as 10 it's ultI-
mate effects upon our social aud political con-
dition, but every philosuphic observer must a.
gree, that whatever are to be its ultimate ef-
fects, 1t is an active and powe rful principle. Ou
own opinion is, that, under proper dircction, il
has great and pricelass treasure in store for
mankind; that ii is the companion of true
Christianity; that it is the spirit of beDovo-
lsuce applied to man in his social and politi-
cal capacity; andthat it is destined to elevate
| the American character to a pitch of moral
grandeur unequaled in ihs history Of the
Dast. .'.l. r....-..-. s. ..ss
Thus believing, to this end shall our hmm
ole labors be directed. twill be our aim, in
conducting our proposed Review, to embody. in
| phi osophcal dsquisitions, free from Offensive
partisan bitterness, such sentiments as tend
to .he realization OF this golden hops. And in
order to this, our work will be thoroughly DEM
ocratic in princi lie and in sentiment. Such
great questions as shall from time to time,
agitate the public mind, will be calmly anu
nationally reviewed, by the ablest pens of the
| est
Besides our political Department. q portion
CT 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 an Ohio Periodical only, The Geography,
Geology. Statistics, and History Oftho Valley
will receiveespecial attention; for it is ba-
leved thatt e imperfetly understood by
the country generally, and our bOundless re-
iOurces, not yet half developed, are not proper
| ty appreciated; otherwise the improveme e Mt Of
our nsvgablewalerswouldn be grossly neglect
| ed by the General Government.
In connection with the foregoing departments
of the Western Democratic Review, will
be oWr aim TO make it. in a literary point of
view, worthy the patronage of an enlightened
public; but it will be ouf purpose, also, to make
IL food for the reason and judgment, rather
than tho fancy; to make it, in short,a work Of
real utility to the St atesmSD, Philosopher, and
to all who shall peIuse its pages. @#'
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 desideYGtant,a Democratic Litera-
ture. 1t has Tong been a source of regret, bS
distinguished Democrats, that most OF the
highest efforts OF genius have been wasted in
attempts that serve to make factitious distinc-
tions in society and GovInment, that tend to de.
press the masses; and hence, to snervate tho
humnn mind. The nee essily of a literature
that sympathizes with the sstoling millions"
is as apparent, that comment is gratuitous lit is
ono of the wants ofthe age. Indeed, we need
not dilate upon the Importance of such work,
nor undertake to demonstrate its necessity
These considerations will readily occur to ever,
thinking mind. The influence of work which
ives form and feature to public sentiment, and
mbOdies the ganeral thought and aggregate iden
70 so vast community, must be strongly
felt throughout all the ramifcations
of society, and must serve to give homogeneous
moss to Western character tt 3a
Relying for our support particuAry upon the
Democratic party, we have thus submitted
of our views and opiniyns, ana we now
commit eur enterprise to their genernus sJmpar
thies. ra4aHte 8H f @a s
We hava 4ha rrcuo;sa of aid frem some Of the
most enlightened m inds and ablest writers in
The West, and hav emo doubt of success IT . suk
ficieat patronage can be obtained.gs 7# s#1