THE SOUTHERN

LITERARY MESSENGER.

JULY, 1845.

AMERICAN LITERATURE.

THE PRESENT STATE OF AMERICAN LETTERS, THE PROSPECT AND MEANS OF THEIR IMPROVEMENT.

The literature of a nation is the source of its chief conceptions, the mental and spiritual elevation of glory. Its eminent authors are the most becoming a people asserts their chief claim to preeminence. objects of national pride. Through them the men- An investigation, such as we propose at prestal greatness of a people is revealed. Through ent, involving, not so much a comparison with the them, and that literature of which they are the attainments of other nations, for the purpose of organs, the intellectual and moral resources of a soothing our self-complacency, as a scrutinizing country are developed, its institutions are main-view of the present actual condition of our own tained, its natural scenery portrayed, the events of literature, for the purpose of correcting abuses and its history recorded, and the peculiar inspiration securing improvement, demands an intimate knowderived from each of these sources is embodied ledge of the literary movements of the age, and and transmitted to the world. Through them, and the greatest candor, impartiality and faithfulness the silent but mighty power of their productions, in its application. We should guard equally against as they approach the mind and heart, in the still- the flattering suggestions of national vanity on the ness of retirement from all other influences, the one hand, and the indiscriminate denunciations of tastes, habits and character of its citizens are form-foreign authority on the other. We never more justly ed, and a shape and direction given to its future expose ourselves to the charge of a want of mental destiny. That nation, therefore, which disregards independence, so frequently hurled at us from abroad, the character of its literature, is guilty of the reck-than when we meekly surrender our opinions to the less stupidity of despising that which is both the form of its highest glory and the instrument of its greatest prosperity. A nation without a literature, however abundant in natural resources, is a nation without true greatness, and, however liberal the form of its institutions, without true independence. To be dependent on others for the power to think and the expression of thought, is the most servile of all subjection. Every American, therefore, who cherishes sentiments of enlightened patriotism, while he surveys with just pride the spectacle of his young, free and vigorous country, rising upward in all the might of its physical and social energies; will turn with eager interest to investigate its attainments in the field of literature. The discoveries made in this department will serve no little either to increase his pride, or to awaken his despondency; for, according to the standard of his

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harsh judgment which others may pronounce on the character of our literature. Nor is it so easy to divest our minds entirely of this influence. Addressing us in the familiar tones of our own language, deepened by the authority of age and accumulated experience, we are prone to forget that it is not still the voice of parental solicitude. With the diffidence of youth we submit to its rebukes, and scarcely venture to hope beyond the line of its proscription. Here is an obstacle which has ever stood in the way of forming a just appreciation of our literature, and the want of this appreciation, united with other causes, has hitherto burdened the wing of American genius.

With the English nation we have been placed most directly in competition on the literary arena; and not content with being our rivals for the prize, they arrogate to themselves the exclusive preroga

tive of being judges to decide the contest. But than between nations differently situated. To avoid we should be assured of their impartiality, before all resemblance, we must run into absurdity, and we submit to their decision. We should consider become unlike ourselves. the inequalities of our condition, before we acqui- The literature of England derives an imposing esce in their judgment; and, discouraged by a de- majesty from the past. We fail to define precisely feat apparent, but not real in its nature, suffer an its present limits. We suffer a multitude of great unmerited disparagement to rest upon our energies authors and their productions to rise promiscuously for the future. There are many and special rea- before us, many of whom, and they the mightiest, sons why we should suspect the justice of their were known before our separate existence as a naopinions, and prefer to exercise our independent tion, and we stand humbled under a view of our judgment on the subject. Our kindred by the evident inequality. But the past should be excluties of nature, they have become our enemies by ded from our conceptions, or we should demand an the events of war. A secret remembrance of our equal participation in its honors. Once we were past triumphs on the field of battle, serves to cher- the same people. The same literature was ours. ish a spirit which invariably discolors and distorts The mighty current, accumulating for ages and the character of its object. A lofty pride, so pro- swelling in its strength, rolled on in the same chanverbial as to become a national characteristic, nel, until at length, by a political convulsion, its suffers them not to admit a comparison in greatness waters were divided, never more to mingle. From from any quarter, much less from a region exer- this point of separation we may survey the origiting such antipathies as ours. Added to these, a nal stream with the same pride, as equally our own; strong political aversion, founded on the liberal and if, when we turn to trace separately the diviform of our institutions and government, conspires ded currents, it is discovered that ours pursues to increase a disposition to disparage and denounce a more meandering course and is more confused every thing produced under such auspices. This last is perhaps the strongest influence which operates to pervert the views of English writers with regard to our literary attainments. Hence, while they seem occasionally willing to allow us the pos- Even confining our observations to an equal space session of a moderate degree of mental capacity, of time, and comparing the current literature of they yet magnify the defects in our literature, and each nation strictly in its present aspect, it would invariably trace them to the peculiar nature of our be unjust to apply the same rule of calculation to government, which, they maintain, is unfavorable both. The hindmost courser is not necessarily the to the higher forms of intellectual development. most deficient in speed. England, fully equipped But we will not hastily admit such a proposition. and furnished for the race, exulted in all the We will at least waive our assent, until experience vigor of her literature long before the outset of has conducted us still nearer towards its demon- our national career. The machinery of her gov stration. As yet, our history has afforded nothing ernment, strengthened by time and modified by to serve as an argument in support of the doctrine. experience, discharged its functions with ease and Any visible defect, any aspect of inferiority which harmony. Her richly endowed and firmly estabmay appear in our literature, is not to be traced to lished institutions sent forth constant supplies any thing permanently inherent in the form of our of learning and talent. Her learned professions government; but to the peculiar circumstances of were filled. A surplus of educated mind remained our location, and the evils incident to the incipient to find exclusive employment in the field of literaoperations of a newly organized community.

and turbid in its flow, we will not yield to despondency, when we remember that it forms to itself a new channel and finds a fresh course among the rocks and rubbish of the wilderness.

of the
tions.

ture. Her rich and powerful aristocracy stood But may we not be misled as to the extent of ready to support this array of genius, the patrons our deficiency? May not our inferiority be more author and the purchasers of his produein appearance than in reality? May we not forget Thus the stream of her literature, fed from the allowances due in our favor and the subtractions so many fountains-a mighty current from the to be made from the superior advantages of others, past-an open channel in the future-rolled on, in adjusting a fair comparison of literary attain- without an impediment, in its course. ments? English writers have pronounced us to be, How different the state of things with us! None not only their inferiors, but their imitators. Let of these advantages were ours. A new governus not be surprised into an admission of the charge, ment to be formed and developed, a new soil to by discovering at first view some show of evidence be tamed and cultivated, new institutions to be for its support. Springing from the same origin, founded and furnished, civil offices and the learned using the same language, inheriting the same great professions demanding all the cultivated mind to models of literature, and existing under forms of be produced under such auspices, whilst the unsociety, happily different, but yet affording many cultivated remained subject to the urgency of points of resemblance, it is natural that a greater physical necessities and debarred from access to similarity in literature should exist between us, 'intellectual gratifications. All these peculiarities

of our condition stood as so many obstructions to score of them, varying in dimensions and quality, the struggling fountains of native literature. In according to the field before them and the matethe mean time, a counter current from abroad sent rials within their reach. Literary institutions up an additional resistance. A constant supply spring up spontaneously in every direction; but, of literature from the living writers of England, such is their number and proximity, that they droop transmitted in the form of a common language from mutual encroachment and a want of culture. and through the channels of unrestricted inter- Literary periodicals, differing in size, form and course—a literature so familiar in its associations quality, burst forth from the groaning press in as to impress us with the charm of home, so emi-every quarter of the land'; and these are the chosen nent in kind as to discourage domestic competition, channels, through which are transmitted the occaso abundant in quantity as to leave no opening for sional fragments and hasty, unfinished sketches of additional supplies, served to lessen the motives to American genius. The current literature of the enterprize and damp the hopes of success on the part of native authorship. Under all this opposition, in the midst of all these disadvantages, American literature struggled into life. Let these be borne in mind, and we will not be surprised or discouraged at any evidence of inferiority which may appear. Let us not suppose that, because we once in kind and distinctive in character. These two triumphed in a struggle for national independence, qualities are always found united in a vigorous litewe should immediately burst forth in a blaze of rature. To be great, it must be original. It must successful competition in literature. Let us not breathe a national spirit, reflect the peculiar habits hastily conclude our experiment to be a failure, and character of a people, and derive its ennobling and because we have not already outstripped the inspiration from the history, institutions and sceproductions of the Old World, imagine some native nery of its native land. This impress of nationdefect in soil or climate, and adopt the insinuation, ality, however, appears chiefly in one department so gratuitously thrust upon us from abroad, that it of letters-that embraced under the term bellesis cheapest and best to depend on foreign supplies, lettres, or polite literature. Here the peculiar for entertainment and instruction-an idea so flat-glow and coloring of the national mind is imparted. tering to their pride, so accordant with their policy! Here the feelings and the imagination blend with But so humiliating to our self-respect, so danger- the hues of the picture and unfold the features of ous to our interests! the national character.

day is glittering in rills and streamlets. If the amount of printed paper circulated in the country, constitutes a proper definition of literature, we may justly lay claim to an undisputed preeminence. But quantity is by no means the chief consideration. A national literature must be both eminent

This general view of our past career is demand- Under the general term literature, however, many ed, in order that we may form a faithful judgment valuable works are produced in a country, which of the present aspect of American letters. A enlarge its claim to literary preeminence, but still national literature requires time, and the gradual exhibit no distinctive marks of nationality, save by operation of combined influences, for its formation. the title page, which reveals the name and nation It does not spring forth in its full proportions in a of the author. These are often standard works of single day. With us it is still undergoing a pro- permanent and universal value, independent of the cess of development. It has not attained its per- region which gave them birth-works treating of feet maturity. The defects and blemishes, which the general rudiments of education and the varimark its present course, may, therefore, be traced ous departments of human science, having directly to a remnant, or a new modification of the early for their object the practical and the useful, dealimpediments with which it struggled at its origin. ing in facts, principles and doctrines, and demandThe first and most visible defect to be noticed, ing for their production accumulated stores of learnis a want of unity and depth of current. Ex-ing, patient research, and deep penetration of mind. pansion and diffusiveness seem preeminently to In a new country, situated as ours, this form of characterize the present movements of American literature is generally the first to be developed. mind. There is power, but it needs combination. The necessaries of life must be secured, before its There is energy, but it lacks concentration. We delicacies can be enjoyed. The substantial and have the elements of greatness, but they are dif- the useful must precede the ornamental. The rubfused over too wide a surface, and dispersed simul- bish must be removed, the foundations laid, the taneously in too many directions. This feature frame-work planned, and the massive timbers will be found manifest in most of the departments erected, before the delicate hand of the artist can of life. A single individual often unites in his impart the finishing charm of beauty to the edifice. career the claims and duties of several professions. American works of this class are numerous, and A single profession is crowded with a multitude of of a high degree of excellence. On this point we eager applicants, whose eminence bears an inverse need not be specific. Flattering testimonials from proportion to their number. Every village has its abroad are not wanting to support our sense of their pert newspaper, and every large town and city its merits. We need only advert to the fact, that nu

merous works of this description have been repub- | accumulated stores through a thousand meagre lished in England and adopted as works of stand-outlets.

ard authority, on the subjects of which they treat.* Such being, as we conceive, the present aspect If we are chargeable with any deficiency, it of American letters, we can determine their prosmust be discovered in another form of literature. pect for the future, only by observing the nature of In the department of belles-lettres, the inventive the impediments which resist their course. We and creative powers of the mind are called more point out the means of their improvement, when we directly into exercise. The sentiments, the pas- detect existing evils and prescribe the method of sions, and the glowing imagination combine with their removal. These, as we have stated, are a the energies of reason, to mould and tinge and remnant or a new modification of the obstructions beautify its productions. An endless variety of which beset its origin-evils springing up from the subjects are embraced within the charmed circle of very soil, identified with the physical circumstanpolite literature-a classification depending more ces of a new country. Between the author and on the outward dress, than the name or nature of the public there is an established law of sympathy. the object. Countless forms mingle promiscuously A constant interchange of influence extends from within the radiant enclosure. Eloquence, history, the one to the other. The same causes which crephilosophy, morals, religion, romance and poetry, ate a public taste and demand for literature, awaken each with its clustering progeny. But there pre- the energies of individual genius to furnish the sides the enchantress, veiled in shadows, or crown- adequate supplies. The same evil influences which ed with light, the spirit of the nation! To this pervert the tastes and habits of a people, lessen the quarter we invariably turn, when we speak of a motives and encouragements to native authorship, national literature. Here, in the midst of much Instead, therefore, of seeking out the pale student to awaken solicitude, we find many causes to sus- in his retirement and scrutinizing the secret eletain a generous pride. America can point to bright ments of his mind as an index to the state of literanames not a few, who have entitled her literature ture, we will find a more acceptable and faithful to respect and admiration. Through many dis- criterion in the general features of the national couragements, unaided and alone, they have made character. their way to eminence, and transmitted their brilliant productions to their country and the world. Let not an ungrateful parent refuse to cherish these richest offerings of filial affection.

We have been styled a money-loving peoplea nation of political wranglers. How far these features are exclusively American, and whether they are accidental and transient blemishes, or inBut, as we have already intimated, our literature herent and permanent traits of character, we shall appears at present under a peculiar aspect-one, not pause at present to inquire. Let us be candid discouraging indeed, if regarded as a fixed and enough to recognize the likeness, although we feel permanent form, but yet tinged with a hue of prom-it to be a caricature. The worst form of slander ise, if viewed merely as a state of transition to a is but an exaggeration of the truth-distorting its future and higher result. The patient and pro- features, altering its relations and causing it to tracted labors of authorship seem, in a great measure, to be suspended. Its efforts are hasty and fragmentary. We have gained in quantity, but are losing in quality. It is a day of rapid literary movements, a day of papers, pamphlets and painted periodicals, of cheap publications and republications. The very mechanical form and structure of current literature is an index to its character and determines its fate; reveals careless haste in its origin and indicates a transient efflorescence of existence. That mind, however, is as devoid of philosophic acumen as of generous hope, which can discover in all this present exhuberance naught but the signs of imbecility and hopeless declension. It reveals rather the indications of strength, but of strength resisted and baffled in its efforts; the struggling of a smothered flame; the strength of an impeded current, unable to proceed in the full column of its waters, and urging its

* See statements made by Mr. Simms in his letter on International Copyright, published in the Messenger, January 1844.

convey a false impression, whilst a sufficient accordance with facts is maintained to cover with plausibility the sting of malice. It cannot be denied, nor is the fact to be concealed, that with the mass of our people the acquisition of property is the absorbing interest, the engrossing pursuit. Nor is it surprising that this should be the case. In the early period of a country's growth, the claims of physical necessity are the most direct and unjust in their operation. In a country such as ours, with vigorous virgin soil and liberal government, equal in its protection and ignorant of any privileged class of its citizens, there naturally arose a universal and eager enterprise in the pursuit of wealth. The public mind has not yet escaped from the stimulus of this excitement. At the same time a principle and a passion, it controls both the mind and the heart. All other pursuits sink into subservience to its authority. All other aspirations crouch beneath its sway. Instead of being itself a subordinate good, it becomes an ultimate aim. Instead of taxing merely the physi cal energies, the time, and a due degree of mental consideration, it enlists the whole being in its ser

vice, and becomes the centre around which all the af- | ambition of interested politicians and the shamefections play; the circle in which all the thoughts less prostitution of a mercenary press. Its effects revolve. Beyond this, there is nothing esteemed great or worthy of aspiration. The value of every other object is determined by its relation to this one result. Wealth is the crowning consideration, the ruling impulse, an oracle to solve all questions, the test of every scheme, the criterion of every enterprise. Hope looks to no higher goal. Here is found the reward of all effort, the fruit of all learning, the end of all legislation. A nation can boast of no greater prosperity than the facilities of acquiring wealth. Life has no higher prize than the pleasure and the pride of dying rich!

The

on the peace, order and virtue of society are the most disastrous. It extends a withering influence over the prospects of literature. The current passion of the day, in which all the popular sympa thies unite, it is hailed by impatient aspirants for fame, as the promised tide," which taken at the flow leads on to fortune." Genius turns from its bright visions and hopes. Learning forsakes its treasured lore. Even Poetry hangs its silent harp on the willows, and all embark on the swelling tide and unfurl their sails to the passing breeze of popular applause. But in addition to this perversion That these remarks have an indiscriminate ap- of individual talent, there is a general corruption plication we are far from believing. But that they of the public taste arising from the same cause. describe too faithfully the general state of the The few leisure moments of the multitude which public mind in our country, we are constrained to can be spared from domestic avocations for purpoadmit. The blighting effects of such a moral at- ses of reflection and reading, are engrossed by the mosphere on the growth of native literature need stimulating details of the party newspaper, which not be described. That this evil is to be perpetua- not only causes a misemployment of time, but creted in its present existence, we cannot suppose. Ex-ates a false and vicious appetite, that, loathing the perience is imparting its salutary lessons. The wholesome food of literature, longs only for larger movements of life are becoming adjusted. Causes supplies of the foul garbage on which it feeds-the are already at work to weaken the sway of Mam- poetry of slang, the romance of defamation! But mon. An inspiration has gone abroad to break the a greater evil still remains to be mentioned. spell of this delusion. Soon it will be discovered direct tendency of present ferments is to destroy that " man cannot live by bread alone." New tastes all true patriotism, and thus annihilate the very and appetites are forming. The mind and the soul and life of a national literature. That high spirit will crave their proper nourishment. And devotion which hallows the single and mighty form enterprising genius will furnish its rich supplies. of our common country, is dissipated in the wrangConnected with this evil, indeed, in a great mea- lings of party strife. The spell is broken, the insure flowing from it, is the prevalent passion for spiration gone. The events of its history, the politics, the rage and tumult of party strife. A exploits of its heroes fade from the public memory. diversity of political views, producing a conflict of Its natural scenery, divested of those associations separate parties, is the unavoidable result of a pop- which endear the features of a native land, mirrors ular government; and so far from being depre- no image of beauty or grandeur to kindle the imagcated, while restrained within proper limits, should ination and inflame the heart of a degenerate and be cherished as the legitimate manifestation of that divided people. But a hope arises that this evil is jealous vigilance which secures our interests against beginning to effect its own cure. Its violent manthe artful encroachments of power. But it would ifestation seems to awaken the apprehension of be absurd to apply any such plausible description thoughtful and virtuous minds. Remembering that to the present frantic impulses of party spirit in there is one object, which rises in importance our land. Instead of promising security, it threat-above all the questions of party strife, and that there ens disaster and ruin. Instead of the sentinel, is a foe more terrible in its ravages than the enwhose quick sense and watchful eye guards the croachments of a foreign enemy, or the misrule of citadel of our liberties, it has become the incendi- any administration, let all such combine their examary, who applies a torch to consume the edifice. ple and effort, with the conservative influences Under the low conception that wealth is the only already operating—the dissemination of knowledge worthy object of individual enterprise or national and the diffusion of virtue and piety in the landlegislation, there has arisen a struggle for the ap- to hush the elements of discord, to compose the propriation of present advantages-a war of local feverish impulses of society, to remove narrow interests and sectional prejudices; whilst in the prejudices and inculcate enlarged and liberal views, absence of enlarged and elevated views of national to promote a spirit of mutual concession and united policy, the cords of union are becoming weaker, patriotism, and teach to a reckless people this wisest and the one great, ennobling idea of country is lesson of national policy, that the interest of each fading from the public mind. The tendency of separate part is found in the union and harmony of this infatuation is such as to awaken the most pain- the whole system. ful solicitude. Its present prevalence and excess

But we turn from these evils, which exist in the may be traced, in a great measure, to the reckless' prevalent tastes and habits of our people, to con