The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-11
DUTY or SOUTHERN AUTHORS.

| We are in receipt Of an address on the
Need Of q Literary Sentiment In the South
delivered before the annual convention OF
the Southern Literary Association at
Louisville, by Mr.. l.. ID. Mccormick, OF Ken
lucky. This address is most interesting
and thoughtful contribution TO the subject
which il discusses and enforces with great
earnsstness and ability the harm which the
South has inflicted upon itself by its past in
difference 10 the influences which might be
employed TO cultivate fruitful literary spirit
among the Southern people.
with us il writer is loyal to bis people,"
Mr.. Mccormick remarks. literary fame IL
almost q synonym for want" statement
| which is only too true. In consequence there
has been too decided tendency OH the part OF
| a number of our Southern writers whom it
| would be impossible to class rs literary rene
| gades to draw pictures of our Southern life
which have the subtle coloring which pleases
the Northern tastes because in conformity
with their own groundless prepossessions.
Our Southern novelists look to the North
for publishers, who, thinking only Of the
Northern reader. are indisposed to look upon
purely Southern local color with the highest
favor because contrary to their business inter-
ests apart from their individual prejudices.
Admirable as has been the comparatively
recent outburst of Southern literary talent. it
has not been as a whole as true 10 its native
soil as it would have been if Southern
audience alone had been considered. We
cannot recall very many novels of any length
Il. A l.. Il. Il. 4 ~
or very many short stories, that are not
in serious measure Objectionable TO Southern
sentiment. because representing the South
ern people, either as individuals or as Il whole.
ss distinguished for traits which a hostile
Northern sentiment has only been too much
inclined to attribute to us.
The Southern novelist holds peculiar
trust in ais hands. At this period in the his |
tory Of our section the slightest catering. con-
scious or unconscious. to the prejudices of |
those who grossly exaggerate our faults and |
overlook our virtues is q criminal act which |
is certain TO arouse only censure whether |
openly expressed or not The reprobation |
may be silent, but it is not the less decided.
Thackeray and Dickens satirized their own
people, it is true. but they did so without any
intention Of appealing to an outside and an
audience. 1t was all in the family.
which makes q very great difference
1t is the patriotic duty of every Southern
author TO touch upon only the attractive side
OF our Southern life. and omit from consid
Grafton all features which if slightly exagger-
ated furnish body and substance for the sneers
and vtuperations of our sectional enemies.
The South has already too many slanderers
abroad to contend with, to regard with
patience writers in its midst, who rely upon
pictures of its society TO win
at the North
Mr.. Mccormick believes, and we think very
Justly, that the establishment of great
magazine, supported by ample cap
tai, would exercise powerful influence in
building upaS Southern literature which would
DC free from the faint which distinguishes so
many of the best works which have pro-
'eded from the pens of go many of our South
I'm writer's who have risen to distinction in
ecent years. The strong temptation to lean
owards Northern prejudices would be re-
moved. for here would be splendid re-
'ository for the works of the Southern novel
st on their first publication with a pecuniary
eward As large as any which the Northern
magazines are in the habit Of Offering for simi-
ar writings. Furthermore, such magazine /
would foster a local literary spirit which would
Increase the circulation of such writings upon
qualification.