The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-02-05
The Boston Globe on Henry Timroo
and tho South-The Other Side.

NOSsSN
Timrod and the South, in which kindly JUS
tice is done to Timrod, but somewhat 10
dsparagement and at The expense OF tne
South. We like the article because 1t has
point and substance in it; and what there
is that sounds like spite we can forgive, and
shall accept as medicine, il upon consldera'
ton we shall come to the conclusion that
there is any measure Of wholesome truth
in it that iJ would be we'll for Us 10 lay to
heart. We thank the critic for his just and
kindly appreciation OF our poets, Slmms,
Hayne and Timrod. We owe him some
thing for that. His tone OF disparagement
as TO the couutrymen OF Timrod, and Simns,
and Hayne, we must attribute In part to ig-
uorance, and in part to the hippancy OF
prejudice. The atmosphere which inspired
some of his most caustc and relishing SEN
tences was bounded by the limits OF Boston
and smacks OF it's narrow self.sufficlency.
Apropos OF the subject OF literature at the
South, we reproduce some pertinent remarks
made by the Hon. George S. Bryan on
public occasion in 1859, In which it is con-
clusively shown that in original thought the
South has never been whit behind the
North. Judge Bryan, in response to the
sentiment, s'The Literature OF the South,'
said {:
That literature had been with the South a
weapon and not vocation-an accomplish
ment and not an employment. Her life had
been intensely poltical-and In the held o.
polItics and arms were to be found the high
est development of her mind. II was In tne
messages of her Presidents, the correspon-
dence of her diplomalists, the reports and
speeches Of her statesmen, the proclamatlons
of her generals, that the true strength OF her
intellect and The rich resources OF her genius
could be most fully seen. The bright and
broad track of her mind could be traced III
the policy and expanding fortunes oil Inc coun-
~. o-L.i-. r>~-~innafA and ."--'s'-" 40 mo
Greek, her career had been that OF the Ro-
man; and the forum, the camp and the Senate
had almost absorbed and possessed her most
gifted sons. Her life had been one of action
and, to do her justice, you must take into the
account aohdt she has done-and the moral
force, the fullness of cultivation, the iptellec-
tual vigor necessary to her achievement. In
all our great wars she has furnished the great
eat general. In the War of Independence
Washington governed her military councils,
and IL was to him that CORVALLIS finally sur
rendered his sword In the war OF 1872, the
victor of Orleans was the ablest and most re-
nowned chleltain. In the war with Mex
leo, Scott and Taylor fill the eye,
and will contend In history for the
higher distinction. But, brilliant as the
South has been in arms, 1t has been more
brilliant in oratory. And even here her power
has taken the shape of action; and the huing
uotce-enforcing policy, expressing senti-
ment, vlndicatIng principe-as In the per-
sons OF Patrick Henry and Csy-has been
more wonderful, fascinating and potential
than the lettered page. Our little State has
furnished In one generation, In the persons OF
Calhoun, Hayne and McDufle, Preston and
Legare, orators who would have given fame
TO any parliament of orators aud sages that
ever Sat In the most renowned States OF an
clent or modern times. 1t has been the ioaPs
preolable privilege Of speaker to listen
often to ottAereloquence of the immortal trio-al
now invested with the sacredness oil the grave
who 80 long, whether In conjunction or con.
aict. dominated over the mind OF the country,
and gave direction 10 its policy. 1t will be
permitted us, and 1t is but fair, In making our
reck koning with the North, in the honorable
emulation OF mind, to remember that If the
North can boast-and proudly-of webster,
| the South can claim Calhoun and Clay.
And going back to the day we now cele-
: brate with us alike the Jubilee of the free
ana the saturnslia Of the bond-stlll the day OF
pride and triumph to all Americans, yet equal
and nndminished, and meaning TO be so-is
| It not allowable for us 20 recall The fact that
when the argument for the great act of Revo-
luton was to be stated, and tts cause OF our
fathers WAS to be vindcated before tile trl-
bunal of the nations and posterlty-in COM
niLtee, OF which Franklin, The wit, sage and
philosopher, and Adams, the scholar, the
statesman and mighty orator, were members
| It was committed to Jefferson 10 cothe in 6t-
ting language the Declaration, solemn as the
blood OF civil strife, and pregnant with the
issues of everlasting glory or shame to the in
| faut nation !!
J Yet, returning to the sentiment, to which l
| have been called upon 10 respond, and speak
| ing more strictly to it-athough the ntellec-
tual life of the South has been essentially that
of politics, and In estimating her intellectual
achievement and wealth, we can no more
leave out of the estimate the efforts OF her
orators, than we could in measuring the mind
of Athens, or Rome, or England, strike from
! the account of their literary performances the
oratIons OF Demosthenes or Cicero, Burke or
Chatham even in the more tranquil do
main of literature proper. the South has-its
history and position duly consldered-no need
to be ashamed of the contributions she has
made to the common stock Of the great re-
public Of letters. In the walk OF history, L
need not say that 1t was Ramsay, a South Car
Gilman, who first told, In language simple,
grave and direct, the story OF tie Revolution.
1t was Moultrie, who, achieving the NGEss great
battle of the Revolution-like Cesar, was able
to describe what he did. 1t was Marshall
himself soldier, statesman, dlplomatist, Judge
who first drew the full length portrait of the
| Father of his Country, and in his Life of Wash.