The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-08

nearly as can remember il, as it was related to
me by maker Of some of the most popular books
Of the day, who laughed heartily over the incl |
dent of borrowing book
For the NatIOnst Ira.
OBLIGATIONS OF THE SECULAR PERIODICAL |
PRESS OF OUR COUNTRY TO AMERICAN
LITERATURE.
Mol.
American Literature is term which the intel |
ngent reader will recognise as being rather pro-
phetic than historic. IL denotes however, not an
ima0nary or a problematical thing but destined J
reality. A noble Literature is among the sure in
heritsnce Of our Republic, 1t is often said, COM
plainingly and impatiently, we have no National
Literature" and it is often echoed tauntingly
abroad, 4" America has no Literature AS we'll
complain that the nursery is not the golden
fruited orchard as well taunt the acorn
with not being the oak. Let the complain
er cultivate courage and common sense and con- |
tribute to hasten the coming era Of American
Literature! Let the foreign taunter study his
tory, and learn, in some school of the prophets to
be seer; and meanwhile lie. him refrain from
exposing his ignorance
A National Literature is product of centu-
ries it must have national historic basis it de-
mands national homogeneousness, maturity of
customs, habits, and views, fxedness of principles
policy, and pursuits, yet not fOrbiddng progress
it presupposes thoroughly systematized social
organization, and q settled adjustment of the in
dustrial arts relatively to the fine arts the scien
COS, and letters. At our youthful period it were
ridiculous to expect such an acquisition it would
be an instance of precociousness unheard Of
among nations, and which our rapid physical
growth only makes the more unlikely, and may
add the more undesirable. We may say, without
blushing, we have no perfected literature Of our
own. But We have, and are acquiring all the
requisite materials and we have rapidly multi
plying the institutions to train and develop the
nacent or yet unborn genius which Is destined to
mould these mat :ss;arv has arasxy oesdA Na-
merous processes are going on at remote points, and
upon broad scale; the timbers are being scored
in the forests, the granite and the marble are be-
ing digged from their quarry beds, the iron and
the copper, the silver and the gold, from their
mines, the precious stones are being gathered
from the bowels of the EARTH and iris-hued pearls
from the depth Of the ocean; and rivers, canals,
railroads. lakes and oceans are being put in
readiness to forward from thousand quarters the
materials for the destined Temple Of American
Literature.
Generations shall have passed away before the
sublime edifce is completed; but II will be
worthy the time toll treasure, and talent devoted
to its erection-it will be the most magnificent
monument of national intellect and heart the
world has ever seen. Dost ask, reader, when
these things shall bel | repy-when the numer-
Gus representatives Of 30 many distant nations,
now focking to our shores, shall have been fused
into one homogeneous people, and the names Of
Scotchman, Englishmsn, lrishman, German
Frenchman, Dane shall have been merged in the
greater name Of American then We shall have
q literature, with vigor drawn from the forces Of
many nationalities; with q soul ennobled by the
heroism Of the North countries, and softened by
the grace Of the sweet South; with language
enriched by the contributions of multitudinous
tongues assmilated and with genius and a
sphere Of glory all its own.
Let those who love their country, and covet for
her literature worthy her name and her ins.i-
tutions, labor diligently and hopefully for this
Have they genius, talent, taste,
requirements 1t Is their prerogative to contri-
butte directly to the scanty stores Of our incpient
and enrol their names amongst it's
founders. Have they wealth and powerl 1t Is
their privilege TO endow colleges and universities,
to found libraries to encourage youths OF promise
and men Of genius, and to discountenance that
Msmmon-worship among men Of their own class
which is the disgrace Of this generation, and the
extinguisher Of literary aspirations The labor
of the present day must be mainly preparatory,
and must SAVIOR not little Of drudgery. Obstruc-
tions must be removed, popular ignorance
aud vulgar prejudoes must be contended with,
the educational standard must be raised, the
common school and college systems must be i'm
proved, the public mind must be imbued with
literary spirit, and those two potent motive prin-
ciples with Americans, patriotism and religion,
must be enlisted In the behalf Of literature. IT
must be demonstrated that the glory Of our Re-
public Is TO be not martial, bat moral-not physi-
cal, chiefly, but mental; and that both Freedom
and Christianity indicate for us career OF let
tiers and moral iabors, destiny Of light cad love
Let all who, from endowment or position, exert a
favoring influence, however slight, exert II with
as quick sense Of responsibility, and . faith IS
firm, Is IL thoend were nigh at hand. Let them
consider that with nations, as with individuals,
youth Is the educational period, and that 1t has
been devolved upon them to be the teachers OF
their country in the alphabet Of literature Let
them lay good foundation, and let them be as
sursd that their pupil, though Maynard and may
hap dull, will ct some future day make noise IN
the mighty world Of letters.
The obligations Of the secular periodical press
Of this country to American Literature 10 the
proposed theme of q few articles In the National
Era. The reader may challenge the propriety OF
affirming obligation with reference 70 somewhat
which as yet has no existence. But lot him re-
feet that some Of our weghtiest obligations are 70
posterity The Journalists Of this day act 700
much, II IL to be apprehended, upon the s:sump-
tion that they are under no obligations TO Ameri-
can Literature, and II Is time that they we're re,
minded that these are among their grsvest duties !
have selected the secular branch OF the perodi-
cal press, not because II alone Is related 70 hters
ture, but because I. has obligations OF iS own
which demand distinctive notice, and because IL
seems TO be iess regsrdfu of lie literary resPonsi-
bilitiss, ON the whole, than the religious. Much,
however, that design TO say, will b seen 70 ep-
ply to the religious press likewise. II win DC
Also special aim 10 urge the necessity OF the
secular press cultivatiDg high moral tone, and
even imbibiug the religious spirit In order ina!
may exert an efficient influence 70 secure the IN
trodacton Of the ChrDtian element Into our FORM
ing literature :.
The term secular press Ii comprehensive II
embrscss the political, the commercial, the me-
chanieai Tia ssvioulv ural the scientific, the lite