Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-30
SUNDAY. ..............."MAY 80, 1885,
Southern Writers.

Recently the S0utn uas Uetn iHpi'Ss'nb
herself upon the domain OF literature In
manner that IL exceedingly gratifying. IL
q seldom that We receive lot OF magazines
now that do not afford evidence that south
crn culture and southern literary talent Is
gradually receiving substantial recognition
at the North. For many years following
the war 1t was exceedingly difficult
for a southern writer 10 secure from
some northern magazine and book
publishers the courtesy Of an examination
OF his manuscript. We have known manu-
scripis OF undoubted merit-manuscripts
that were subsequently acccpted-to be re-
turned from the North 10 southern writers
IN condition that proved beyond question
that they bad not been even "glanced
over" Despite the fact that the South had
before the war furnished strong men IN all
departments OF American literature. and the
North had made money by publishing their
productions. until lately the prevailing opin-
ion In the North seems TO have been that
nothing good in the way OF literature could
come out Of the South. II q manuscript was
so fortunate as TO escape the stereotyped
endorsement "Declined" IL was very apt
to.prove TO be not production OF especial
literary merit, but criticism OF southern
institutions that catered TO northern
preiudice. This fact, rs our readers
know, finally led TO "gush" OF
newspaper and quite number OF are
yiewv articles from southern men, agree
ing with and encouraging northern STRIFE
lures upon our educational system, social |
system, &c. We regret to say that in some
instances southern writer's seemed TO be |
willing to subscribe to any reflection that
might be made upon our institutions in |
order to get hearing in the North and SEE
cure The commentator OF northern editors |
and publishers. However, as we have |
shown, both the northern publishers and |
the northern public have "revised" their |
estimates Of southern literary talent. 1t |
ern writer stands an equal chance with the |
northern writer before the publisher. But
n can be said that every day the southern
writer's chances VI having MS work ac-
cepted are increasing. II eau be said that
the northern people Of culture no longer de-
mand that he should do violence TO the SEN
timepts OF his people. 1t can be said that
the culture OF the North Is calling upon the
South 10 enter the literary arena in earnest.
Were this moi the case II Is hardly possible
that even the appreciation the publishers
now have OF southern literary genius would
induce them to continue TO investin SOUTH
ern literary productions and stimulate
southern literary work. Had not the eX-
periment OF publishing articles from south
crn men paid 1t would have been
abandoned long ago. As consequence OF
the change OF the attitude OF northern pub
fishers aud northern readers IN respect OF
southern authorship there has been what
we are almost justified in terming q "South-
ern Literary Revival" Certain Il is that
great impulse has been given to literary
labor In our midst. Southern writers have
invaded not only the sphere OF magazine
and review literature, but the sphere OF
DOok.tnahtDBs anu hoeiSe 'h " ""''"
paper of book by southern man Is
no longer "great rarity" What is
equally as pleasing rs the fact that
the number OF southern writers is
increasing Is that the tendency OF the work
of such writers Is largely 10 the direction
OF preserving the memory OF southern In
stitutions and OF vlndlcatlng southern
modes Of thought. These efforts are calcu-
lated to do great good in the matter Of
bringing the northern people TO an under
standing OF the South, not only as regards
her present purposes and sentiments, but
Ms regards much involved in her social and
other systems IN the past, concerning which
there Il great Ignorance in the North. II is
10 be hoped that the South will make the
most Of the encouragement that is being
given her in this matter. THERE'S wealth
of material In the South that might be
woven into the American literary fabric,
and which would help TO make II more en-
during and increase its value. There Is an
abundance OF literary talent In the South
the development OF which would be Of
vast advantage in enabling us 10 secure
the recognition for cultivation, refinement,
and educational progress we are entitled TO
IN the eyes Of the world.