The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-07
A STRONG LECTURE
Dr.. Bassett on Conditions of
Authorship in the South.
Speaks Of the Need of Greater Literary tu'
ture for the State and How II May
Be Obtained.

1902 at the Baptist Female University
had most admirable beginning when DR..
j. s. Bassett, brilliant member of Trim
ity College faculty spoke there before
the pupils and an appreciative audience
on "The Conditions of Authorship in
the South.
The address was a lucid and logical ex-
position of the literary needs and fall
ings of the South, as we'll as tribute
to what has been done and a plan for
greater achievements in the future. Here
and there in the thoughtful address were
bright and witty sallies which brought
laughter and applause. The lecture was
couched in scholarly language, and those
who failed to hear it, missed the OPP
portunity of hearing literary address
of great value from a most able speaker.
Dr. Bassett was introduced by Presi-
dent Vann of the University, and he
began his address by declaring that the
literary conditions of the South and of
North Carolina warranted him in dis
cussing his theme. The want of author
ship in the South he said was governed
by the law of demand and supply; here
there may be found the ability to produce,
DuL unless there is a. Q6mdnQ 1Or the
production it will not come. Books are
read in North Carolina as the people
want them, and the supply now must
surely equal the demand or there would
be further productions.
In discussing the matter DR.. Bassett
said that he spoke not as partisan, be-
cause he was a Southerner, but as one
who viewed the matter from the stand
point of an unbiased critic. The main
question he regarded as being how to
improve the conditions of authorship in
North Carolina. To do this it was nee
essary for us to find out how far we
have advanced in the scale of civilization
as compared with other people. Content
ment with our present condition, in his
words, was 1.-THE essence of death and
the result of remaining in this condi-
ton, he said would be an 'inbreeding
of ideas which would breed as much evil
as the inbreeding of blood.
BY comparison he showed that in ag-
riculture, in manufacturing and in COM
merce we were behind the old world, and
this he declared was the condition of
authorship Here we had no great names
equalling those of Shakespeare, Chau-
GER and Others and this because of good
reasons.
One reason for this he said was our
rural condition, but that we were not
so far behind, but that in a century of
well directed labor we might be in the
lead. God help us, God pity us, if there
do not arise some pioneers in this line"
he exclaimed.
The building of towns would aid litera-
ture, was his idea. for no great literature
had ever been developed in the country
Here, he said, the conditions were retro
grading, no great books or important men
being produced outside of cities.
Good authorship depends upon schol-
arship,' were the opening words in a
plea for a strong education, in which
he said that culture was knowing things
which are, which pertain to our life and
character and suit our feelings
Audubon, Minor on law and jefferson
he declared have no equals today in the
South, though there was not always an
agreement with Jefferson. He told of a
History of North Carolina, highly com
plimented, yet filled with errors, which in
other States would have caused it's au-
thor to be known as a ouack, and also
spoke of the shams in education. this
leading up to the assertion that our lit
erature was lacking in scholarship"
Speaking of the poetry of the South he
eomplimented Prof. B. f. Sledd's work
as being OF unusual merit Referring to
from matter he said that the contribu-
tions to college magazines were too much
of the girl. boy, log. dog business
which when stirred up brought on the
marriage bells and everybody lived happy
ever afterward" (much laughter and APP
plause.)
Another difficulty in the way was our
TACK OF cosmopolitan habits, we were
TOO provincial, different environments
would give us new ideas. We were gem
erous, hospitable, sold good tobacco. en-
Joyed Joke or dabbing in politics. but
knew little of the great things of the
outside world
Another evil he declared was a want
OF appreciation of the writer's of litera-
ture. publishers would decline TO take
stories OF the South but were ready to
hear from New England and other north
ern sections when appropriations were
ready, this being so because the South
neglected to read. 1--WE are not moor ;,
he said, but We are an extravaganza peo-
pie and we need to put our extra speed m
Keep up with other sections"
Dr. Bassett plead for proper consid-
Grafton in judging the work of others and
q strict observance of contract. Here bo
declared that giant fighting was neces
sary for an authors success as anvtbinp
He must not be overcome by criticisms
but stand up to them, no matter how
severe, if he would achieve success.
Criticism of ones writing often came
from prejudiced source, and this he said
should not affect us. He dissected a
history of North Carolina and showed it's
weak points, and then said that young
women who canvassed for North Carolina
political novels to aid no sending a
sister at scheel would not go to those
whose politics were opposed to those set
forth in tine political novel These
novels, he declared were prostitution
OF literature, as they tendency was to
, STIR IN rancors of the past.
After further abe and eloquent dis
cussion of his subject Dr. Bassett closed
by urging those who heard him to assist
by all means possible to advance the
cause OF literature, and that with the
ana or the educated, and of those whose
Had