Through no more appropriate channel can we convey our thoughts upon the subject we have selected, than through the columns of a periodical devoted to the South, and to the maintenance of her literature and institutions. And if there should be found anything of force in what we shall urge, we could ardently hope that the seeds thus sown in diffidence and weakness, might, under the skilful culture of abler minds, germinate and grow to a tree bearing useful fruit. If there is any wish for the accomplishment of which we could breathe forth our most earnest prayers, it is for the establishment of a Southern literature, standing secure and independent upon its own pedestal, lighting up the threshold of its temple with the refulgent beams of its self-illumination. If there is any enterprise, towards the successful achievement of which the energy of every southern mind ought to be bent in unrelaxing effort, it is such an enterprise as will give to the South a literature that will command the respect and admiration of the world. If there is any duty, more than all others incumbent upon the Southern people, the performance of which they cannot neglect without discredit to themselves and injury to posterity, it is the duty of rewarding by their approbation, and stimulating by their praise, the literary creations of the genius of their section. It is the literature of a country that gives her people a position among the nations of the earth, and to this source must she look for the place she is destined to fill in the eyes of

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future generations. He who would refute error and advance truth, who would create light and dispel darkness, who would gain renown and benefit his kind, who would wield a power greater than the sword-he, we say, who would do all this, should devote himself to the task of elevating the literature of his country.

While it is the imperative duty of the authors of all nations to let the light shine that God has given them—to contribute, like so many springs, to swell the great stream of human knowledge and happiness, till it overflows its banks with the waters of truth-to worship wisdom and learning for their own sakes-while such motives, and such promptings as these, should inspire the heart, and kindle the genius of every author; yet to the Southern writer, besides all these, there should be other inducements and incentives to literary labors. Graver and more solemn considerations than a mere thirst for fame and distinction, should impel him to drive his pen. He lives in a community in which African slavery subsists. We, of the South, recognize it as a great social, moral and political blessing-beneficial alike to us and to the slave. We see in it a great pillar of conservatism, and we regard it as the best and most enduring basis for Republican institutions. But the rest of Christendom stands united against us, and are almost unanimous in pronouncing a verdict of condemnation. Wild crusades have been set on foot against our institutions, and amid the

clamors and uproar of false philanthropy the still, small voice of truth is unheeded and unheard. The great question of African slavery is not understood in the outside world, whose prejudices are against it. Its great truths have not been fully presented and sustained; nor have its advocates been sufficiently untiring in their efforts to write its history in such letters that even those "who run may read." It is because of the world's ignorance of African slavery, as it exists at the South, that the world is arrayed against it. Let there be light upon this subject-let it be understood-and we need not fear to stand alone; for then, against the fanatical tide that threatens to overwhelm us, there will be raised a great moral break-water in our defence. As literature has been the most powerful weapon which the enemies of African slavery have used in their attacks, so, also, to literature we must look for the maintenance of our position, and our justification before the world. Let Southern authors, men who see and know slavery as it is, make it their duty to deluge all the realms of literature with a flood of light upon this subject. Let them dispel with the sun of genius the mists and clouds which ignorance and fanaticism have thrown around slavery, purposely involving it in an obscurity and darkness, through which men will not grope to find the truths upon which it reposes. This, then, is the "Duty of 'Southern Authors." The field for their labors is wide. Upon their efforts may depend the destiny of the South, and the preservation of her institutions. Their exertions should not be spasmodic and 'periodical, but constant and continuous. The press should teem with productions upon slavery, with as steady and unceasing an action, as it does with writings upon religion. The true features of slavery should be described in works of endless succession. Thus, by a constant agitation of the streams of literature, with the elements of truth, we shall be able to make the world view both sides of this great question, and see how we have been wronged and misrepresented.

On the 29th of June, 1853, an address

was delivered by Professor James P. Holcomb, before the Society of Alumni of the University of Virginia, containing thoughts that should recommend themselves to the grave and earnest consideration of every Southern man. It was our good fortune to hear that address. Every one should read it. It contains wise and comprehensive views, which, when fully carried out, will mark the commencement of a new era in the history of our noble State University. It also contains appeals in behalf of a native Southern literature, which, if listened to, would arouse the sleeping intellects of our section, and make them create new stars to shine "forever in the firmament of letters." As it was the impression made by this speech which first led us to think upon the subject we are now presenting, we shall quote the eloquent language of the able and learned speaker, so far as it is applicable and auxiliary to our theme. We shall invoke the bright blaze of his genius to warm with inspiration the hearts of Southern men, and illuminate the path along which lies "the Duty of Southern Authors." Professor Holcombe says:

"Domestic slavery has impressed such distinct and peculiar features upon Southern society, that it can never be comprehended or appreciated by the rest of the world, without a class of native authors, Southern born and Southern bred, to interpret between us and them. Northern men, of the most enlarged patriotism, seldom visiting us at home, and then in a ceremonious way, looking at us through imperfect lights, and judging us by false standards, catch only the sharp points which rise up above the face of our institutions, and are unable to form a fair and intelligent estimate of our character. Hence our history, our moral and social habits, our opinions, all the circumstances of our condition, are discolored by the partial and broken medium of that Northern literature, through which they are now exhibited to the world. * We want a native literature to vindicate the integrity of history, and preserve from oblivion the fame of our fathers."

*

Southern literati, read here your duty

to the South, your duty to yourselves and to posterity! With the great moral force of literature overturn the unholy citadel erected by the slander, fanaticism, and malignity of your enemies, from whose unconsecrated towers, arrows steeped in the poison of falsehood and infamous libel, are shot at your institutions. There never was a field that promised a more deathless immortality to the author than this, nor greater benefits to his country and race. The success of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," is an evidence of the manner in which our enemies are employing literature for our overthrow. Is that effusion, in which a woman, instigated by the devil, sows the seed of future strife between the two sections of her country, likely to be the last? No. The literary workshops of the North are even now resounding with the noisy and fanatical labors of those who, with Mrs. Stowe as their model, are forging calumnies, and hammering falsehood into the semblance of truth. Southern men, learn that the arms with which they assail you are the best for your defence. In the great

armories and arsenals of literature, if you will look for them, there are more weapons for you than for your adversaries; because you will use them in the cause of reason and of truth, while your opponents wield them in behalf of prejudice and fanaticism. The sacred Book of God sustains you; reason and conscience sustain you; the annals of the world upon the subject of slavery sustain you; the immutable and eternal fiats of Nature and Nature's laws sustain you. Why should you hesitate, or doubt that victory will be yours, when on the side of slavery all these stand arrayed, with nothing to oppose them but ignorance, passion, and a spirit of fanaticism, as mad as it is mischievous?

But listen again to the stirring and eloquent words of Professor Holcombe, and recognize the groves through which Southern literature must wander, if it would fain gather enduring laurels for its brow while living, and chaplets to deck its tomb when dead.

"We can no longer cover the salient points of our institutions through the

halls of Congress. The voice of the statesman and orator cannot reach the masses, with whom lie the issues of life and death. Literature alone can dispossess the demon of fanaticism by its 'sweet compulsion.' Let us appeal to her varied forms, of poem, drama, novel, history and essay, to enter every cottage in the land, and disperse the delusions which invest this whole subject of domestic slavery. Let them vindicate it before the reason and conscience of our people, and hallow it as a great instrumentality of Providence in their affections. Let them declare how carnestly we resisted its original imposition, how consistently we have labored for its subsequent amelioration, how uniformly we have sustained every measure of policy which promised for it a peaceful euthanasia, and how fiercely those who still roll in the unblessed wealth of that bloody commerce from whence it sprung, have sought to close every avenue for its gradual extinction, and hem it in, to perish amid social and national convulsion. Let them point out in characters of light, which all who run may read, that human wisdom has yet devised no scheme for its abolition, which does not call upon a great and enlightened people to sacrifice all the civilization which makes life valuable, for the mockery of conferring an empty freedom upon a race unfit for its enjoyment. Let them show, that although the same imperious necessity, which suspends ordinary laws in times of peril, forbids us to banish from the statute book the provisions which uphold the power of the master over his slave; yet all human laws receive their form and pressure from the spirit of a people, and, like the atmosphere we breathe, although possessing a weight more crushing than iron, may be made to bear lightly as the gossamer film of summer. Let them exhibit the mighty though noiseless features of public opinion in softening the harsher features of slavery, and converting its elements of danger and suffering into springs of refinement and virtue. Let them deliver to an immortality of honest scorn, the libeller who has raked through the prison records of a nation, that she might hold