Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1849-10-31
EAIHA OO0M8
TUST PUBLISHED, No. l of the American
aD edition of ELIZA COOKS JOURNAL.
EDITORIAL


While veniuring this step in the universal march
of periodicals. let il be understood that | am not
anxious 10 declare myself a mental Joan of Arc,
bearing special mission to save the people in their
holy war against ignorance and wrng. | simply
prepare a plain feast where the viands will be of my
own choosing ard some of my own dressing. |
hope if what | provide be wholesome aud retish>
ing, | shall have a host of friends at my board
whose kind words and cheerful encouragement
will keep me IN Il proud and honorable position at
the head of the table.
| have been TOO long known to those whom |
address TO feel strange in addressing them. My eas-
lest rhymes, written with intuitive impulse beioSe
hacknied experience or polite Judgment could die.
tate their tendency, were accepted aud responded
to by those whose good word is a .'tower of
strength The first active breath Of nature that
swept over my heart strings awoke wild but earnest
melodies which | dated down in simple notes.
When | found that others thought the tune worth
iearning-when | heard my STAINS hummed about
the sacred affairs of domestic fresides, ana saw old
men, bright women and young children, scanning
my ballad strains, then was | made to think that my
burning desire TO pour ont my souls measure OF
music was given Inc for a purpose. My young
bosom throbbed with rapture, for my feelings met
with responsive echoes from honest and genuine
humanity, and the glory of Heaven seemed par
tally revealed when | discovered tGatl held power
over the affections of earth.
The same spirit which prompted my first at
tempts will mark my present one. What | have
done has fonnd generous support; let me trnst that
what | may do will still meet the kind hand of help.
| have full confidence in my friends, and believe if
offer them the combination of utility and amuse>
ment. they will freely take the wares | bring, and
not think worse of me for mixing freely with them
in the market place of activity and labor.
am anxious TO give my feeble aid to the gigantic
struggle for intellectual elevation now going on,
and fling my energies and will into a cause where
my heart will zealonsly animate my duty,
1t is too true that there are dense clouds of igno-
rance yet to be dissipated-h mountains of error
yet to be remnyed-but, there is a stirring develop.
ment in 1.-The mass which only requires steady
and free communion with truth to expand itself in.
that enlightened and practical wisdom on which
r rests the perfection of social ard political civ-
Ealion; and | believe that all who work in the
lid of literature with sincere desire 10 sage the
any BY aronsiog genuine sympatIies and educa-
bnal tastes. need make little profession of their
rvioe, for 1.-The people have sufficient perception
thoroughly estimate those who are luly with
hd for them.
I only ask a trial. Twill give the best my jndg~
lent can offer from the co>operation of healthy and
figorous talent and my own confined efforts.
ELIZA COOK.
This journal will be published weekly, aud each
humber will contain 10 royal octave pages dou-
Bile columns. II will form two handsome velnmes
annually. THE PRICE
will be 3 cents each number or 81 so per annum
in advance.