Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-08-07
Pure Literature.

As a general thing, a reading people are
very much in the hands of those who pro-
duce their literature. 1t is the habit of
many persons to receive what they find in a
book without questioning its truthfulness or
considering it's influence upon themselves
and others. The same is true, to some ex-
tent, Of the lighter forms of literature, and
those who read are carried along by the cur
rent OF the authors thoughts without stop
ping to inquire whether it winds its way to
some sparkling lake of pure intelligence, or
ends in the dead sea of mental corruption.
The writer's of a peoples literature will see
themselves reflected in the stall Of public
opinion, feeling and morals, as an image is
thrown back with the mirror. To this rule,
there will, of course, be exceptions. Men o.
independent thought and of strong moral
i~diosyncracy, will analyze and discriminate
between truth and fiction, good and bad,
but still far the greater number of our rea-
ders will fail in these important particu-
lars and hence a literature designed for the
reading public, should be at least innocent
in its tendencies and influences. But this is
unfortunately not true of much of the pogu-
lar literature of the day. Some of the best
poetry in the language, as it regards literary
and poetic merit, is tinged and corrupted by
| impure aIluS1U1sS I'LL lcWu lHucl1OeS, So JIldL
he who drinks at The Plerian spring will be
in daRgeEE afF inaiH46sF rHhfAotaatt hid IT'S pure wa;
tiers. This is applicable both to EiG,olish and
American poetry, but especially to the ..or-
mer. But as we have declared our political
independence of the North, which has here
tofore furnished a large portion of our read
ing matter, it is equally important that We
also declare our literary independence. MOI
should we be satisfied with the simple dec
l~aration there should such arrangements bt
entered into as will give it effect and place i
beyond contingency. We must now begir
as a Southern Confederacy to furnish ouI
own literature, or else our political indepen
dence will be only a mantle to cover GU
servility to those from whom we nave sepa
rated for no people can be free who's
minds. are in bondage to others. And whel
We set out to produce a literature for GU
own people, there must be an eschewing
all s~elfshness, and Q liberal policy must b
~inaugurated. If we would have a lKeratur
suited to our wants, we must be willing t
pay for it. 1t will cost millions of dollar
TO establish our political independence, an
yet our people will pay the money Cheerful
ly, because they see the necessity for it.
But is there as q pressing necessity for pul
literary independence? Does not our polit
cal independence rest, to a great extent, upC
our independence of Northern literature ?
If so, should we not be ready to give liber
encouragement to those who are engaged
| commendable efforts to supply cur literal
a wants. Surely no one can be so blind as n
! to see the necessity for such a course. A
! thors must be encouraged to write, and pu
Y fishers must be sustained in their attemI
at supplying the wants of the reading pr
y lie. But when We go to work to supply Q
# own literature, it is to be hoped that a col
e Of qualified critics will be on hand to ost
q else from it everything of an impure or v
= ious tendency. Let nothing appear w
the shelves Of our libraries which will man
:, the cheek of modesty, or in aaywise lead
u thoughts astray but let our literature
It such as becomes a nation recognizing
~ great PRINCIPLES Of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES