Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-09-03
From the N. o. Je6orson'an Republican.
SOUTHERN QUARTERLy-NEW
ORLEANS-iTS DESTINY.

We have omitted heretofore, 10 notice
the lasI number of the Southern Qunrtrr.
Ly Revie,o of Charleston. Il is really a
nobe work. We have mover met with a
periodical that foreshadowed ,rs glorious
destiny more strongly. All doubts as to lis
character and stability are removed. 1t
must succeed, and mol only givea strong
impetus 10 our national literature. bnr ex
ercise an important agency in the spread
of sound constitutional principles aud The
perpetuiiy Of our blessed Uniun. Why
shond it uol succeed! There is a broad
fields for its operations until now unoccu
pied, There is not is the whole SDuth or
Wesr another periodical Of heavy metal.
Those that do exist are Of limited circula-
ton, mainly devoted to light literature,
aud sra marked by great inequalities,
sometimes sparkling but often exceeding
ly tame. a work able TO grapple with
those higher questions that are constantly
sprnging up under our new and very pc
cular system Of government; questions
of Jurisdiction, of The relative powers Of
the Federal aud State authorities. as in
case OF Mcleod; Of the Sfa'es 10 each
other, as in the late controversy between
New York and Virginia; and Of The States
with foreign powers, as in the case Of
Mississippi with the European boudhold
ers-has long been wanted. The news
paper press is frequently too partizan in
lis character, loo inhanmalory. sectional
and superficial for the satisfactory discuss
ion of such grave questions. especially in
this young country, where many of our
precedents and decisions conflict, ami
where The public pocicy, maxims and laws
oannot in many respects. claim 10 he def
inileIy fixed. In the formation Of this
structure. political. social aud legal, a
work established on Tho basis Of The
Southers Quarterly, conducted with ability
and extensively circulated must exercise
very great aud beneficial influence. II
comes to The consideration Of these and
other important matters, not 10 advance
any particular sect or to pull down or
build up party; its sole object is 10 eu-
tighten the public Sniud, to discuss great
aud doubtful questions With good temper
and moderation, TO present authentic
statements of fact and statistics, and draw
from Them sound and legimate iufercnces.
conducive to individual happiness, social
reform aud The general interests of the
commonwealth. lis editor, Mr.. Whlla
ker, is man of decided talent, high al
tainmeut aud great discrel liDD. To much
experience and opportunity Of observation
he also adds that rare gift So essential 10 a
teacher of mankind--and without which
mere laIeuI is a useless and ollen danger
Gus endowment-sound practical sense.
This is the great characteristic 0i !he
Quarterly. 1t is no visionary; no Utnpi.
an no runner after fantastic and gauze
covered theories; no slubburn Unitarian
insensIbe to the refinemenls of life. and
TO the necessity of humaizing many OF
the conventional dogmas and systems that
now exist. Far less does it seek 10 wea-
ken The broad, deep, suPer>tructures OF
our Saxon ances' ors, 10 ornament them
with the Corinlhian columns Of mudern
transcendenlaIisn. 1t will not overlook
the great lessons of liberty aud law and
government, derived from that nuble uri
gin and embodiment in our Constitution
and laws, defined by them aud restrained
by them, 10 teach the dreamy aud uncer-
tam philosophy Of Athens, or The imprac
tcable agrariauism oil Rome.
The Quarterly is supporedby an array
of brilliant writers in Charleston and
other portions of the Uniou. We must,
however. express our regret that 1t was
ever transferred from this city, where il
had its birth.
M