Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-05-14
PROSPECTUS OF THE
Western Democratic Re-
view,
AND Monthly MAGAZINE.

fashion society,an work out great &lasting re-
suits in social and political condition, been in
nore active operation than at she present g
pooh. And while this remark is just in regard
20 our country generally, it applies, with Peeu-
liar emphasis, to society In the Great west
There is among the people ofthis vast kegion'
a robust spirit and energy, not yet thoroughly
natiOnalized, 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 Tudenessi all the polish OF
| theanei ient Athenian without hsefemincmcy sin
short, a chart ctef thoroughly AMERICAN. It's
the Office Of the Statesman and Philosopher to
seizs on these elements of character, give
| them proper direction, and finally shape them
| into an order Ofunrvaled 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-
ti0n The Influence Of an ably conducted
/ Magazine, established in the heart ofthe Miss
issippi Valley, would exercise, in the Acheiv-
msnt of these great objects, must be APPARENT
to egsry obrVer.
No social element is 90 active in producing
these glorious results, As the Democratic PIin-
ciple, which pervades the hearts of our people.
1t is this principle which is working out new
novel polite institutions, stamping upon
man new character, influencing our legisIa-
tion, aud is revohtionizing all that pertains
to man ia his social and political condition,
1t is because Of the stubbornness and energy
with which this principle moves onward, de-
motishing what hoary error had treasured up,
and grappEng, with its strOUs hand, every in {.
stitution and law which savors of exclusive
privilege, that some timid and uuphi, ,osoph hicaI
spirits are siezsd with alarm; and startle at
imaginary horrors. They sac, in Imagination,
all tbs Wild terrors of the French Revolution
re enacted, and all the beauty and harmony of
Civil Society, turned into furiuos discod. But
such individuals Should be admOnished, that
the Democrtic principle is the true principle
of Conservatism that it inns at the censerVa-
tiol Of mans rights, by the destruction of ev-
cry institution which would silently, but sure.
Iy, purlOu 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 lust and rational
meaning of the term Conservation, as applied
to our political osndition.
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 ultl-
mate effects upon our social and political con-
diton, but every philOsOphic obssrver must a.
gree, that Whatever are to be its ultimate eff
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 tho companion of true
Christianity; that il is the spirit of bensvo-
lence applied to man in his social and politi.
cal capacity; andthat il is destined TO elevate
~ al,a ~ r. 4
grandeur unequaled in ihe history of the
past.
Thus bslieving, to this end shall our hmm.
ole labors be directed. II will! he our aim, in
conducting our proposed Review, to embOdy. In
philosophical disquisitoNs, free from offensive
partisan bitterness, such sentiments as tend
to the realization of this golden hope. And ip
order to this, our work will be thoroughly Dem.
octatic in prnci lie and in sentiment. Such
gre eat 'qaestions as shall, from time to time,
agitats the public MUD, will bo calmly anG
nationally reviewed, by the ablest pens Of the
est
Besides our political departments portion
cf our Magazine will be devoted to such we'll
Vritten essays as will be ofgeneral interest and
vAllo to the people ofthe Mississippi Valley,
for i, e Intended to make ita Western, and
not "A, OHIO Periodical only The GSskaphy
l3sologv. Statistics, aud History oftho Valley
recsive especia! attentionj for il is b,.
lisvsd tha,these imperfetly understood by
thescountry generally, and our boundiess re-
.onrces. not vet half yelOped, are not proper
ty appTsciated otherwise the improvement OF
our n ev;gahewatersw0uldno be grossly neglect-
ed BY tho General Government.
In connection with the foregoing department
of the Western Democratic Review, win
be our aim 10 make 1t, In literary point OF
view, worthy the pauonage'of an enlightened
public but It will be our purpose, also, to make
il food for the reason and judgment, rather
than tho fancy; to make 1t, in short,a work OF
real utility to the STATESMAN, Philosopher, and
to all who shall peIuse its pages.
tits intended, also, 10 devote a portion OF
each number to Biographical Sketches Of dis.
tinguishsd Western Statesmen.
The principal design, however, is, to supply, |
as far as comes within the scope of such work,
that great desiderdtuaS,a Democratic Litera-
lure, It has long been a source of r4gret, b.
Demo :erats, that most OF the
highest efforts Of genius have besn wasted in
.ttsmpts that serve to make Fictitious dstinc-
ions In society and GOvInment, that tend to de-
,fess the masses aud hsnce, to en- ervate the
lumnn mind. The necessity ofa litora turs
hat sympathzes with the ''toillng millions,'
$ as apparent that comment is sratuitous it is
me Of tine wants Oft the age, Indeed, we need
ot dilate upon the Importance ofsuch a work,
or undertake 10 demonstrate its necessity
These considerations will readily occur to ever
linking mind. The influence of work which
YES form and feature TO public sentiment, and
nbodies the gansra thought and aggregate idea
0 50 vast a community, must bo strongly
III throughout all the rami6cations
society, aud must serve to give homogeneous
sss to Western character.
Relying for our support particularly upon ths
Democratic party, we have thus submitted a
ummary ofour views and opiniYns, and we now
ommlt our enterprise to their generous symp@
hies.
We have the promise Of aid from some Of the
most enlightened mindS and eblost writers in
he West, and have no doubt Of success If a sui.
ieisat patronage can be obtain ed.
~as B. u. TAYLOR.
ERMS.
Thassssm Dsn1cfatic Review and Mouth.
v Magisiae, win be'lssued ON ths first Of each
month, from the office Of the Ohio Statesman,