Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-09-01
Southern Literature

1t was long a question with the British
press whether America could produce a book
worthy of the name. They ridiculed our pre-
tensions to any thing like literary merit
American publications were secuted, and
years elapsed before a British Publisher had
the boldness to reprint a work, coming from
this side the Atlantic. That day has passed.
The ability and scholarship of American wri-
tiers are no longer mooted questions, and the
British publishers now readily hazard the
risk of sending for American books by the
score.
Similar sentiments have prevailed in the
North, though not so boldly and insultingly
ayowed, as to the ability of the South, to
produce a book possessing solid worth
Northern publishers have flooded the South
with their publications, forstalling and block
ing out of the market Southern productions.
The South, too long aided and abetted these
impertinent pretensioas, by giving the surest
encouragement to Yankee book pedlars. to
vend their trash and spread it broadcast over
the land. 1t is astonishing what success has
attended their efforts in imposing worthless
publications upon the masses. A person
passing through the country will hardly find
a house, which may even be destitute of a
Bible, where they will not find several costly
but worthless publications, unread for the
most part, because unreliable, bought chief
" on account of the snowy exterior with.
which they are clad, and the extravagant
representations of the salesman. Thanks to
{ the wisdom of our legislators and the pru-
/ dent foresight of our people, these impositions
have nearly had their day. Still it is to be
/, regretted, that the Southern people, by their
eagerness to encourage and promote North
S ern literature, give too much license to the
G charge, that the South has no literature.
Long indeed did the course of Southern
literary gentlemen and ladies, give warrant
to the charge. Either the want of leisure OF
t from sheer ~idleness, our best writers produc
t ed but little to give character or a name to
our literature. We rejoice that they are wi
ping off that reproach. In the field of 70
n nance, or ofscience, or of history, they have
d in late years given the best evidence thai
they are not inferior in style, taste, condition
or tact to Northern minds, and that the tim,
if has fully come, when the South is able t
produce her own literature, and may safel,
&c contend with the North for the prize.
In this matter the Southern press shout
err best;r itself, to encourage, and if necessary
p provoke our literary men and women, to er
10 ter the lists. We have the ability and on
b. people will give the necessary encouragement
a. to literary effort. The astonishing progres
n and success of our educational enterprise
nix give the most abundant assurance, that if W
ur have the industry and intellectual vigor, Their
OH will be no lack of educated minds, to plac
n the South in its true position.
ice Publishing facilities are also being furnish
I'm ed in the South, which render reliance upo
IN the North unnecessary in bringing out pul
LEGATIONS cheaply and in good style. Tn,
the way is cleared for the full developemer
0P of Southern talent and enterprise, in givir
or to the South a literature of its own.