The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-11-07
From the New Orleans Delta.
Southern Literature,

From the New Orleans Delta
Southern Literature.
Our cotemporary, the Picayune, has de-
voted its attention for some days past to, the
subject of Southern Literature. We arc
glad to gain even tardy recruit in
behalf of cause to which the Delta has
devoted its energies for many years, and
we congratulate the Pcayune on the dis
covery that Southerncrs are perfectly able
to write their own books and publish them
whenever it may appear TO suit their conve-
nience. In due time it may find out that
they can make their own laws also, if nee
cssary.
The following paragraph in one of the
articles of our contemporary arrested our at
tention for moment:
Measures are on foot, we are gratifed to
learn, to establish new Monthly Magazine,
of the first class, to be published at Charles
ton, and designed to call into reqnisition
the pens of Southern readers. We shall
hail its appearance withe the liveliest salts
facion. s..
We, too, will hail the appearance of such
a publication with "thc livclicst satisfaction"
but at the same time we are compelled to
notice n decided sin of omission, of which
the writer has been guilty. lie appears to
forget that Columbia, s. c., can already boast
of a periodical which has no equal on the
score Of ability in the United States, the
Southern Quarterly Review to wit, Of which
Mr.. w. Gilmore Smms was at one time
editor. This journal is highly crcditablc
to the literary genius of the South and pos
scsses a political value besides, which rem
ders it one of the most useful as we'll as the
most agreeable publications Of -}the day.
MIR. Simms is a writer of remarkable pow.
ers-a creator as well as q c,itic-gifted
with the finest analytic capacity, and sec
ond to none Of his cotemporaries as sa-
gacious and conscientious editor; we be-
lieve bis successor in the editorship, the
Rev. DR.. Thornwell, is equally capable. OF
what practical value are the stolen stories
of IIarper's Magazine, its reprihts;of En-
glsh novels or its drawer" full Of stale
jokes over which that numbscull, Gaylord
Clark, presides, compared with the original
and searching articles Of DR.. Thornwell,
and the gifted contributors associated with
him in his undertaking? And yetwe must
confess with regret and shame that Harper
sells twenty Of his badly-illustrated and
trashy magazine for every '-sihgle. copy of
the Southern Review. We do bot pretend
to account for this fact, but candpr. compels
us to record it. Even the abeEtionism Of
Putnam appears to attract more patronage
than the solid opinions of Siinms: And
yet there ought to be room enough lin
South Carolina for another periodical, and
both should secure the most liberal support.
The literature of a nation is its most;yjtal
element. In the books of England alone
we find the secret of her success and once
a people contents itself with accepting the
books Of other races as their teachers and
their guides, they must prepare themselves
to submit to the ferrule Of their masters.
But we are Distressing from the second
omission of the writer in the @Ficayune,
which we desire to point ont for hsspecial
credit of New Orleans. He forgetssa! Month.
ly Magazine Of the highest class is ,hboutto
be issued Immediately in this city, subject
to the editorial control of Mrs. McUpfd; a
lady of great literary accomplishments pos;
sess.,d Of rare fancy and taste, versatile
and brilliant writer, whose talents Hshlly
equaled: by her energy and perseyefaaee
This periodical, rromises to be one Of Which
the South my be fairiy proud. The;s Fl ditssss
will be assisted by experienced Seonsrbu
tors, and intends to spare neither ia6CEno'
expense to make her journal worthy a9isthe h.
patrons who haye already inscribed 9ei'
names on her subscription list. 4hls
hopefulsigns of the times, and wear .san
guine that in aehort time the cofifmRt g
Mr.. Banks for Southern Literature. 5ei
,, we allude above, will, react upon hisIlss| s.
and become the subject Of inexingp
laughter, North and South. :".'ao'
e The Fremont papsrs sfe getting eut;k
|, patience with the Net York> Herald. lsRhs
say it take half dozen now: To- ws&6th
; Herald sfter itegoes b press, lest
y change its politics, ffoah Tie force
lbefoss the edition sees Daylight. s