The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1894-11-14
HAVE WE A NATIONAL LITERATURE /?
An interesting Paper or the Subject
by Dr.. Lame.
Road Last Evening Before the Aca-
demia-Other Features of
the Evening.

The Academia held it's regular monthly
meeting at the High School last evening.
The following officers were elected for
the ensuing term: President, Prof. j. II.
Pond; Vice. President, Miss Ella Nc
Cherry; Secretary, Miss Anna Tindall
Treasurer, Miss NJ. L. Mumford.
After the transaction of the usual rou-
tine business an interesting programme
was rendered. DIR. j. II. Lame read q
paper entitled "IS There an American
Literature?'
This inquiry, said the speaker, must
necessarily excite feelings of irritation
and resentment in those Americans who
nave become imbued with the national
idea, and who view with reverence the
list of writers of poetry and prose en-
craven high on the tablets of our national
fame.
If the question is 10 be considered seri-
ousiy, the reply must be prompt and
emphatic affirmative. That it emanated
from such specimen of foreign produce
ton as we often see hurryIng across
the continent clad IN an ill-htting
suit OF tweeds, and armed with stoliu
self-complacency and Il brierwood pipe,
turned in which invecsiye outweighed
logic. But, the speaker continued, ii was
propounded III d gentlo voice with u riS-
ing infection, and the least appreciatiye
Hit OF the eyebrows, suggestive OF a faint
shade OF incredulity.
1t would be manifestly unjust to enter
tain a suspicion that the inquiry arose
from an ignorance of the fact that Ameri-
cans have written books of poetry and
prose or from an absence OF familiarity
with their works.
1t was not until the revolutionary age
was reached-that stormy period between
the years 1860 and lS30-that any tendency
to the development of a national senti-
inent became apparent. The times were
such that the minds OF men were led into
the discussion of the rights of man and
form of government. The war of indie
pendence was fought and in il were en-
listed the tongue, The pen and the sword,
and as a consequence the literature OF
that period, both III prose and poetry, is
almost exclusively OF a political and
patriotic character.
From 1880 to the present time Ameri-
can literature has taken distinct ma
tIonaI type, until it may be said 10 have
attained 10 national lie. The genius Of
America has been the DEVELOPMENT OF
national character, and character builds
SLOWLY. An atmosphere OF sympathy IN
intellectual aims is not part OF the form
alive period Of individuals or nations.
Before the wall can be adorned with pic
lures II is necessary to build the wall.
Tho foundation of a structure must be
completed before the FURNISHED dome or
piercing spire IS raised.
q The American OF to-day NAV be con-
tent with laying the foundation and
building the house, and may also enjoy
It IN ST. bStautial way i'll the full assur-
ance that his sons Will employ all the
most refined arts of architectural adorn-
ment in putting Oh the cornice and The
frieZe.
There need be no haste in the building
up ola literature. Ii must be the out
growth OF time and its bloudea events
colcrlng life and emotions.
But, after all that may be said and
written about the accessories of litera-
ture, all theories are subverted by the
spectacle OF nations surprising the world
1t some time iii their history by the SOON
taneous production of a Dante a Goethe
and Shakespeare. The genius OF nations
are thus cryStalllZed through an INK nown
process Into IrideScent gems of priceless
worth, whose scinti]lations cannot be
obscured by time and whose imperish-
able nature Will not admit of decay. Lit
erature. then, before 1t can be said to
have attained its possl bilities in assum-
ing national type, must stand the cru
clal Test OF time; and when that cold, I'M
sparing hand has stamped it with APP
proval and affixed to ii 4 divine fire that
will not quench, then, and not until then,
can 1t be said to have approached that ex-
cellence and perfection which has become
national aspiration.
At the conclusion of DR.. LANES adj
dress, Miss Ruby Merkley rendered. in q
pleasing manner, 4 vocal solo entitled
Good Night" She was accompanied on
the piano by Miss Mollie Sheehan.
). II. Liggett then read paper on
1.-The Planet Mars" which was full OF
interesting information.