New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-09-23

Come thinkers may object to this essay, that we
80 about 10 write of that which has, as yet,
existence,
..s, hv persons born in America that there ex-
-. an American literal ere. Books which mtatt,
:. ,epresent the thoughts and lie OF Europe do not
',astitntc an American literature. Before such
~ s,ist. an original idea must animate this
o and fresh currents OF life must call into life fresh
,bargbts along its shores.
We have sympathy with national vanity.
U.s are not anxious to prove that there is as yet
aa,b American literature. Of those who think
mi write among in the methods and OF the
,lonehts OF Europe we are not impatient if their
rr,ds are still best adapted TO such food and such
.r.;on. If their books express life OF mind and
baracter in graceful forms, they are good and
gEetten We consider them as colopists and use
HI schoolmastcrs to our people III 4 transition
,.,e which lasts rather longer than Is occupied IN
oassiing bodily, the ocean which separates the new
tvn the old world.
We have been accused of an undue attachment
,ofreign Continental literature, and it is true. that
iochildhood we had well nigh forgotten our Eng
Ghg while constantly reading in other languages.
Sill what loved in the literature OF continental
Europe was the range and force of ideal manifesto
ion in forms OF national and individual greatness.
model was before Us in the great Latlns OF sim
ne masculine minds Selling upon HE with I'M
troken power. The stamp both OF nationality and
individuality was very strong upon them; their
Ives and thoughts stood out III clear and bold rchei
The English character has the iron force OF the
Laiins, but not the lrankncss and expansion. Like
their fruits, they need Summer sky to give them
more sweetness and Il richer flavor. This does not
,vp, to Shakespeare, who has al the fine side Of
English genius, with the rich colorlng, and more
fueut life, of the Catholic countries. Other poets,
Of England Also are expansive more or less, and
sarfreely to seek the blue sky, but take it
whole there is in English literature, as in English
character n "reminiscences OF walls and ceilings,
tendency to the arbitrary and conventional that re-
pels mind trained in admiration OF the antique
spirit 1t is only in later days that we are learning
,mize the peculiar greatness which thousand
times outweighs this fault, and which has enabled
English genius 10 20 forth from its insular position
and conquer such vast dominion IN INC realms DOM
dmatter and OF mind.
Yet there is, often between child and parent, a
reaction from excessive influence having been cX
e,ed aud such mn one we have experienced, IN be-
talfof our country against England We use her
language, and receive in torrents, the influence OF
her ,hought yet it is. in many respects, uncon-
genial and injurious to our constitution What
suits Great Britain, with her insular position and
consequent need III concentrate and intensity her
life, her limited monarchy and spirit OF trade does
not suit mixed race continually enriched with
new blood from other stocks the most unlike that
cfodr first descent with ample field and verge
enough to range in and leave every impulse free,
end abundant opportunity to develope a genius
wide and full as our rivers. towcry, iuxurlant anu
npassioned our vast prairies rooted IL strength
q, The rocks on which the Puritan fathers landed
That such genius is to rise and work III this
hemisphere we are confident: equally so that
senrce the first faint streaks OF that days dawn are
yeyisible 1t is sad for those that orcsee to know
Aeymsv not hive to share It's glories Vet II is sweet
no. to know that every act and word, uttered IN
he light of that foresight may tend to hasten or
tnnoble its tullilment.
That day will not rise till the fusion of races
lmanc us is more complete II viii not rise TIL tins
nation shall attain sufficient moral and intellectual
dignity to prize moral and intellectual, no less
highly than political freedom not till, the physical
resources OF the country beng explored al! Jus re-
scns studded with towns, broken by the plow,
Detied together by railways and telegraph lines.
talent shall be left at leisure to turn It's energies
upon the higher department of mans existence
No. then shall il be seen till from the leisurcly and
yeaning soul Of that ripper time national Ideas shai
take birth IDEAS craving to be clothed IN thou
sand fresh and original forms
Wi,hou, such IDEAS all attempts to construct
atnnal literature must end in abortions like the
Soaster OF Frankensten, things with forms, and
Instincts of forms but souess, and therefore re-
Mtng. We cannot have expression TIL there Is
snethng to be expressed
The symptoms Of such a birth may be seen In
aging felt here and there Tor the sustcnance OF
nA IDEAS. At present, 1t shows itself, where lett
sympathy with the prevalent tone OF society, by
Geapts nt external action such as are classcd UNI
ts the head Of social reform But II needs to go
teeper before we can have poets, needs TO pene-
tue beneath the springs OF action, 10 STIR ana re
make the soil as by the action OF hire.
Another symptom is the need felt by individuals
sbsing even sternly sincere. This is the one great
Means by which alone progress can be esSentlS
lnhered, Truth is the nursing mother OF genus
40 man can be absolutely true to himself eschewinS
| esAt compromise scvile imitation. and complaIs-
Sc without becoming original for there is IN every
eesiure fountain of life which, II not choked back
y stones aud other dead rubbish will create
Iesa atmosphere, and bring to HE fresh beauty
Arti, is the same with the nation rs with the IN
ayaSal man
The best work we do for the future is by such
csth By use Of that, in whatever way, we har-
wv The soil and lay it open the sun aud air Inc
Siads nom all quarters of the globe bring seed
s4osh' and there is nothing wanting but prepare
SS q The soil, and freedom in the atmosphere, iof
"FWSlaaas oil new and golden harvest.
we ere sad that we cannot be present NJ tue
saaeriag in of this harvest And Yet we are joy
) W. nc when We think that though our name may
~ o wit on the pillar OF our country tame we
~ really do fur more toward rearing It. than those
~ cone ii later period and TO seemingly
~ ASA Noe, the hnmblest effort, Ma"e IN
Ve spirit aud with religious hope, cannot tai TO
Ss'sa infinitely useful. Whether We introduce
"a. 'es h0ole model from another time and cline To
image aspiration in our own, or cheer lnto
wen the simplest wood-hower that ever rose
-. =. 'ee earth. moved by the genuine impulse to
independent, of the lures OF money or cele-
l.. whether we speak boldly when fear or doubt
ns0aess silent or refuse 10 swell the popular
ss0a an unworthy occasion, the spirit OF troth
s sS worshipped shall turn cur acts and torbear-
nike TO profit informing them with oracles
the latest time shall bless.
~ present circumstances the amount OF talent
acor gwen to writing ought to surprise US
sssare Is in this dim and struggling state. and
,!Iseanary results exceedingly pitifnl. From
~ vel known causes tits impossible Tor ninety
S,ei the hundred, who wish TO use the pen,
,esom by It's use, the time they need. This
~, ~ q things will have to be changed in some
No man Of genus writes for money but 1t
sbssnssl to the free use OF his powers, that he
- ~ be allie to disembarrass his life from care
\ Nrplexity This is very difficult here and
'sass OF THINGS gets worse and worse, as less
MD Saa Is offered in pecuniary need cv works de.
,s.se great devotion of time and labor ito say
UIS.aS Of the either engaged and the Publisher,
h.seu to regard the transaction as matter of