The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-08-11
From the Ezoerson (Gd.) Gazette.
Southern Literature.

From, the Ez6erton (Gd. Gdses
Southern Literature.
This subject may be regarded as somewhat
trite, having been so frequently discussed by re-
cent authors; but cannot think it should be
cast aside until it is fully impressed upon and
appreciated by our countrymen, which IS eyl-
IDENTIFY not the case at present. We are IN the
habit of treating it as of little consequence
unimportant as to its establishment, advance
ment or power q useless ornament to fill some
humble niche in the temple of literature which
we are quite willing others should erect, en-
bellish and govern. How mistaken view Is
this What gross injustice to our country
what robbery to ourselves. But you enquire
talent, to form and sustain purely Southern
Literature? For reply to this query refer
YOU to book styled "The Living Authors of
the South" by James Wood Davidson, A. NJ:
Glance over the long list of names contained
therein and then read specimens of their pro-
dnctions. They challenge the North to COM
pete with them, and the literati of Europe to
deny their merit. And these specimens have
been brought forth under the severest test of
merit-under the sneers and jeers of their envi-
Gus neighbors of the North-the utter indifer-
ence and / may say contempt OF foreign COM
petitors unaided, unsustained, and discouraged
by the misgivings of their own people, they
have produced these gems. What may they
and appreciation that should attend and sustain
them? Why then is not the land flooded with
Southern publications and why does not the
trumpet of fame sound the names of Southern
authors as loudly as it does those of other na-
tions? The fault lies at our own doors. We
are allowing ourselves to be enchanted by dis
tance that deceptively robes in the habilaments
of heaven the unsightly Irregularities of earth.
Truly is a prophet dishonored in his own coun-
try, unless he happens to be Yankee; and be
it said to the praise of the North, they sustain
their own people and public interests: The
South has the material requisite to the estab-
ishment of literature that would call forth
the respect of the world and enhance her po-
itical, financial and home interests. In the
literature of the South lies the germ of great
country-it is the secret handspring of power.
Do we want the rights and independence be-
oueathed to US by our ancestors, and that ty-
ranny has wrested from us? Believe me 1t
does not lie in the sword to achieve Our
strength is in the pen. Let US then build up
literature that the civilized world will bow in
defereAce to and recognize as the axiom of our
greatness. The North has done more with her
pen than her sword, and We equal, and | am
not quite sure but excel her in mental ability.
spending our time and talents prohigately, or
worse still, giving our substance to feed press
that spits forth the bitterest vituperations, the
most scathing Sarcasms and ridicule upon Us?
care we so fond of being abused" as some one
has enquired, that we pay certain journals an
annual salary to indulge their malicious asper-
siuns at our expense? How contemplate we
must appear in their eyes I dare say if We
are so fond of these invectives, we might make
an arrangement with some Southern paper to
give us a weekly or monthly mess for less mon
ey, and then we would derive the double ad-
vantage of Excepting the money in the family"
that is in our own land How many of our
people patronize the few choice, pure gems
scattered here there through our country,
known as Southern magazines? Alas, but few |!
And how many-how very many subscribe for
Northern periodicals. How are we to sustain
literature at this rate? How make our iniu-
ence felt, our power owned, ourselves respected
by foreign nations? Must the few noble spirits
who struggle to uphold our character advance
our interests, promulgate the glorious truths be-
longing to us as people, perish in obscurity or
dwindIe into insignifcance by the edict of a
thankless community? Heaven forbid Let lis
arouse from our apathy-awake to our danger,
and resolve that, come veal or woe, we will
support our own people, build up our own
country, and sustain our own press. Do we
want our sons TO have noble principles to love
their country and to guard its honor with q
Jealous eye Then put Southern publications
into their hands. Do we want our daughters
to be pure and gentle, with vigorous minds and
generous hearts Then give them Southern
books, Southern magazines and journals to read
There is a healthy atmosphere pervading our
literature. The beauty Of our sunny land-its
genial cline, its untarnished virtue, its chap
tism of blood" its noble sacrifices, its immortal
heroes, the brave smiles that have made even
the tears of affliction divincly beautiful, all
tend to inspire the mind and heart with sub
lime ideas and pure sentiments, and make our
literature the best in the world of letters. All
we ask, ell we need, is encouragemcnt-and
though the Shamrock cover the plains where
the Laurel once proudly bloomed, will convert
this emblem of sorrow that is seen only in the
land of the conquered, into trophy Of victory
to deck the temple of fame. Only give place
in your libraries TO such publications rs the
XIX Century" which is in itself gem of
brary, and you will have contributed your part
to this great cause. Let your children see, as
they run their eyes over our book-shelves or
tables, that we are what we profess to be--true.
genuine Southerners, and do not preach De-
mocracy and vet patronize and sustain Radical
ism. Then let every mansion and cot in the
South show at least somet Southern periodical.
How respectable, how Independent it looks to
see batch of of Southern newspapers neatly
folded and the XIX Century" laid on the top
of them, in our parlors, sitting-room or libra
ries, as the case may be. They speak our SEN
timents-they breathe to all comers that we are
a true people, true to our interests, true to our
professions: Let these gorgeous Elshion-plate
magazines be appropriated by the juveniles of
the household as embellishments in the picture
gallery of their baby houses, and let those vile
caricatures chat stain the outside sheets of some
Northern papers be pasted on; the walls of
Sambo's nut, and the reading matter in them
be converted into hambeaus to light his cob
,,;ye and LOT thn "Ropner of the Sontb tbo