Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-01-16
PROSPECTUS OF THE sa
Western Democratic Re-
vIew
AND MONTHLY MAGAZINE.
}. D, TAYLOR, EDITOR avn PRoFRIRToE.

fashion society,and work out great &lasting re-!
suits in social and POLITICAL eOndition, been in
riore active operation than at the present ..
poch. And while this remark is just in regard
to our country generally. it applies, with Peeu-
liar emphasis, TO society in the Great West.-
There is among the people ofthis vast Region,
a robust spirit and energy, not yet thoroughly
capable Of being formed intoa
national charastes more elevated ana grand
than any the world has yet seen; possessing
all the dignity and stemness of the old no
man, without his rudeness; all the polish OF
theaneient Athenian,witho hisefemiGcmey;n
short, a 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 ofuurivaled beauty and magnih-
cence Such elevation Of character, and such
a sublime moral condition, Of the people of this
Greet Western Empire, are capable of realisa-
tion The 5inhueuce of an ably conducted
Magazine, established in the heart ofthe Miss
| issi1ni Valley, would exercise, in the ACHIEVE
ment of these great objects, must be apparent
to every observer. s'"
| No social element is so active in 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
order of society in our country, establishing
novel political institutions, stamping upon
man new character, influencing our tegista-
ton, aud is revotutionizing all that pertains
to man in his social and political condition.
1t is because of the stubbornness and energy
with which this principle moves onward, de-
moLishing what hoary error had treasured ups
and grappling, with its strOus hand, every in
stitution and law which savors of exclusive
privilege, that some timid and GUphi 'osophical
spirits are sieZed with alarm; and startle at
|, imaginary horrors. They see, in Imagination,
Ill sto g aoffh fha
! re enacted and all the beauty and harmony Of
Civil Society, turned into furiuos discoId. But
such individuals uouLd be admOnished, that
the Democrtic principle is the true principle
. of Conservatism; that it 3 inns at the eenserVa-
tion o! mans rights, by the destruction of ev-
cry institution which would silently, but surer
Iy, purlou them; that lis first care Is MAN and
his FREEDOM, believingal political theories but
heresies, which are not based upon this broad
foundation, This is the only jdst and rational
| meaning of the term Conservation, as applied
to our political Csndition.
Democracy is new element in civilization,
or, perhaps, it maybe more proper to say,
l. that il is developing itself in new
h form in modern American Civilization
l. Various opnions are entertained as TO its ult-
\, mate effects upon our social aud political con-
% dition, but every philOsephic observer musta
~ gree, that whatever are to be its ultimate et-
al fects, it is active and powerful principle Our
4 own opinion is, that, under proper direction, it
,e has great and priceless treasure in store for
IN mankind; that it is the companion of true
6 Christianity; that it is the spirit of benevo-
lence applied to man i'll his social and polit-
v. cal capacity; nd that it is destined to elevate
n the American character to pitch of moral
nd gran deur unequaled in the history of the
ly past.
Thus believing, to this end shall our hmm =
Il Bile labors be directed. II will, he our aim, in
e !; conducting our proposed Reviow, to ombody. in
Hd philosophical disquistions, free from offensive
partisan bitterness, such sentiments rs tend
to the realization Of this golden hope. And in
order to this, our work will be thoroughly Dem"
ocrutic in princi lie and in sentiment. Such
great qaestons as shall !, from time to time q,
gitate the public mind, will bc calmly and
u nationally reviewed, by the ablest pens of the
~ West. ....
led Besides our political departments portion
= CT our Magazine will be devoted to such well
written essays as will be of general interest and
va ue to the people ofthe Mississippi Valley.
for il is intended to make tia Western, and
- not an Ohio Periodical only. The Geography,
"' Geology. Statistics, aud History ofthe Valley
will receive especial attention; for it is ba-
OF lieved that these q imperfetly understood by
ne the country generally, aRd our boundless re-
sources, not yet half dev veoped, are not proper-
ar. Iy appreciated; otherwise the improvement of
rs our navigablewaterswouldno be grossly negeet-
49,, ed by the General Government
'" In connection with the foregoing department
of thew estern Democratic Review, win
be Onr aim TO make it, in a literary point oi
view, worthy the patronage of an enlightened
public; but it will be our purpose, also, to make
il food for the reason and judgment, rathel
than tho fancy; to make'it, in short,a work o
real utility to this Statesman, Philosopher, anC
10 to all who shall peIuse its pages.
ay' It is intended, also, TO devote portion Of
DIi, each numherto Biographical Sketches of dis
.to tingushed Western Statesmen.
- The principal design, however, is, to supply
"n as far as comes within the scope of such a work
and that great desiderGtuanl,a a Democratic Litera
rs lure. 1t has long been n source of rAgret, b.
oh. distinguished Demo 'erats, that most OF tn
. . highest efforts OF genius have been wasted il
'" attempts that serve to make Fictitious distinc
9th tions in society and GovInment, that tend to de
press tho masses and hence, to snervate III
humnn mind. The necessity ofa litGratur
that sympathizes with the 'ttoilmg millions,
. is as apparent, that comment is gIatuitous lit
one of tine wants the age. Indeed, we nee
not dilRte upon the Importance of such work
nor undertake to demonstrate its necessity =
ohm These considerations will readily occur to ever
lsed thinking mind. The influence of work whic
,ay. gives form and feature TO public sentiment AM
wing embOdiss the ganera thought and aggregate ide
pre. 70 90 vast a cOmmunity, must be Nrongl!
for felt throughout all the ramlneauon
7, ofsociety, aud must serve to give homogeneous
!, ness to Western character.
}. Rely ing for orsupport particularly upon tb
- Democratic party, we have thus suomite0s'
summary of Ourviews and Opniyn', and we nov
commit our enterprise to their generous sympa
win thies.
.o,s We have the promise of aid from some of III
ms most enlightened minds and abest writer's ii
,us ,he west and have no doubt Of successi sui
loeC; I. B. B. TAYLOR,
llty TERMS.
ON The Western Democratic Review and Month
~ Mapizine, will be issued on the first of eac
month, from the Office Of the Ohio Statesman
A. ave dollars per year, payable in all cases /
-lnl.. .cAL