Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-03-31

Others, instead Of giving that literature suit
ed to our wants and tastes, win furnish that
which is repugnant, and oftentimes injurious
Nd poisonous. ----
'C.If these things be 50, we are reminded
of the obligation resting upon our sons and
daughters to furnish that literature, which
will be in every way suited to the wants,
seIf-respcet, dignity, and Independence, which
of right belong to 50 great a People. The
existence of such an obligation, cannot, for
a moment, be called in question The whole
analogy Of nature, teaches the doctrine Of
individual responsibility. The universe is
composed of worlds, and worlds of atoms
The Ocean is made up of drops-time of
moments. The -"Dietum de omni ct nullo'
of Aristotle is just as applicable here, as in
the field Of moral science. 1t is emphati-
cally true, that "whatever is prcdicated uni
versally, Of any class of things, may be pre-
dicated, in like manner, Of anything compre-
hended in that class" If there be any such
thing rs national obligation, then that ubli-
CATION must equally distribute itself to every
part, resting ultimately upon Individuals
Each State contributes its part towards sus-
tanning the national honor and treasury
Each citizen has his individual duties to per-
form-each star has its part of the armament
to ilumine-so each member Of this great
Confederacy, has his individual burden to
bear. The work of the North is not the
work of the South, and the work of the East
is not the work of the West. If it be the
duty Of the South to contribute her part to
the wealth and pecuniary resources of the
world so it is equally incumbent upon her
to add her tithcs and offerings to its literary
stores If the world would feel shrinking
of its Golfers, if her commerce were with
drawn, so its literature is equally deficient
without her contributions.
Every conceivable motive and inducement
earnestly pleads with the South to furnish
her own literature. She needs it: self-inte.
rest binds her to it. Her independence re-
qures it. Her peculiar circumstances cal
for it. Her respectability at home and abroad
demand it. Her national greatness is def
cient without it The development of her
vast resources, depend upon it. Her respon-
sbility urges her to it, and no one else can
do it for her. Besides, there is no substantial
reason why she should not do it herself
Nature has done all in her power. She has
taxed her wisdom and strength to the ut
most, and laid all her resources under contri,
button. In the distribution of her gifts, she
has scattered her benifcenco in the richest
profusion, and made the "SuDny South" the
Paradise of earth. Her sky is as clear--heI
stars are as hright-her zepllyrs as soft and
balmy, and her atmosphere as salubrious as
that Of the North or any other country. The
magnilicence Of her sccnery-the majesty OF
her rivers-the productiveness Of her soil
the vastness of her resources-the clearness
Of her springs-the richness of her mines
the intelligence Of her people-the bravery
of her sons-and the beauty OF her daugh-
tcrs-wiIl lose nothing in comparison with
the faircst portions Of the earth. Her teach
crs are as thorough-her theologians as able
her orators as eloquent--and her statesmen
as profound as any in the North, South,
East or West. Why, then, is her literature
so scanty and mcagre2 Has not Nature
marked out this field as one from which a
rich harvest ought to be expected We have
mind, genius, talent, resources, leisure and
every qualification necessary to the existence
cf a high state of literary advancement
Why, then, have we so few authors? The
only answer is found in the Indifference of
or people. Nothing is lacking, but to turn
the tide of reflection and talent in the prop
er channel. 1t is, indeed, high time for the
South to wake up to a just sense of her
rights, interest, and responsibility over which
she has been so long slumbcring 1t is high
time for her to shake off that apathy and
want of interest, which seem to be the only
barrier to success in so promising a feld.-
1t is high time for her to rise up in the ma
jesty Of her strength, grid herself with pow
er, and manfully play her part in the great
Olympic Of nations.
We rejoice in the little she has DONE
Some streaks of light are gliding the South
ern horizon. The subject of Education is
taking strong hold upon Southern mind
Colleges, btth male and female, arc SPRING
ing up in every village and hamlet Knowl-
edge is being widely diffused through all
classes Some of our institutions are widely
awake to the importance Of the subject, and
are boldly advocating the cause of SoUTH-
ERS AUTHORSHIP. ..--..-r-. ..7
May these be but the "frst fruits Of a
rich harvcst-the presagng tokens of a glo-
rious future-tbc preliminary steps that will
soon conduct to an Authorship of that litera-
ry distinction, that win be part and parcel
of, and equal to, the other elements of South
ern Greatness T.cn, and not till theu, will
our Literature correspond with our political
standing. Then, and not TILL then, will we
occupy that high position, SO distinctly mark
ed out for us, by nature aud naturcs Cop.
NgwsPArER PuBIIsmYG.-1 New York
Observer thus speaks Of newspaper publish
efs: 49, EssE 90 E[Ag OF
Z The remuneration must be ample, or the
laborcr is not free from care, and does not
work with enthusiasm. Every resderis re-
sponsible for his matter If one subscriber
to a newspaper neglects to pay promptly, he
contributes to dishearten the man who lators
to make thcpaper what the readers wish it
to be. II tho editor knows that he is not
only to work for nothing and find himself,
but chat he is to fnd the subscriber, he may
be excused for Encouragement. Yet there