The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-02-15

phasized and broadened. It is a. time
- When Southern writer's can we'll afford
to line up en- masse as opposed to that
which is unworthy or hastily prepar-
| ed, and putting aside all thought as to
temporary riches or glory, make for
! thelr section as well as themselves a
| literary precedence which NAV well he
| enVled. In this way they will press
! surely and steadily toward the mark
; OF higher Southern literature, and
by their instrumentality will be added
star in the crown of American liter
allure easily outshining all the others.
The marked ability displayed by the
writer's of the South whose produc-
tons are now before the American
reading public is ample warrant for
the statement that were no new writ
ers to appear upon the scene of ac-
ton. those already at work could
fashion for this section a literature
certainly not surpassed by that of any
other section of the country. If the
full measure of the present opportu-
nifty be realized and taken advantage
of, the South in the near future would
| become the literary mecca of America,
from whence would flow a literature
of which any people might we'll be
proud. The attainment of such re-
suits as these are we'll worth the care
full and thoughtful effort of the whole
body of the Southern people. And, in
deed, the subject is one deserving a
calm and dispassionate consideration
free from sentiment and prejudice.
How to Obtain the Desired Results,
If such desirable state of affairs Is
ever to exist it is to be brought
about partially through the efforts
and self-sacrifice of Southern writers.
They must be so in love with their
high and noble profession and so value
the honor of their section as that per-
sonal glory or gain will be sunk en-
| tirely out of sight. Again, it must
come through just criticisms of South
ern productions by Southern critics.
The work of critic is meant to lift
through the pointing out of defects,
the standard of future literature.
Through the critics wider knowledge
of books and their makers he is able
to intelligently point out to their au-
thors the weak or dishguring parts of
their works, thus enabling them in
the future to steer clear of these him
ORANGES to perfection. Therefore, the
critic and the author should be on the
best of terms, for an honest critic is,
indeed, an authors best friend. If
the South is to share in the benefi-
cent results accruing from the work
of the critic, it is clear that it must
come at the hands of Southern crit
les. Many of the most broad minded
Southerners are loath to accept the adj
verse criticisms of a Northern critic,
due in a measure, no doubt, to fla
grant injustice so often obtained at
the hands of Northern critics. The
existence of such a state of affairs
causes the responsibility of Southern
critics to be all the greater. Although
it may be trying for a Southern critic
to be called upon to harshly condemn
the work of a Southern writer by so
doing his work will eventually re-
dound to the distinct advantage of
Southern literature. Southern writers
will not be slow to discover that to
gain the praise of even Southern crit
les they must keep their work up to
an exceedingly high standard and
following, as natural result of such
realization, will come a marked eleva-
ton in the grade of Southern produce
tionS,