THE AMERICAN WHIG REVIEW. PROSPECTUS FOR THE YEAR 1850. THIS Journal has now passed through four years of its existence, and has a wider circulation through all parts of the United States than, we believe, has been attained by any similar work. Since its enlargement, at the beginning of 1848, it has increased some fifteen hundred; which, considering the high tone it has continued to preserve, and the solid and valuable matter, from the pens of able writers, it has contained, is, we think, a matter on which we may congratulate the country; as it evinces a growing taste for a less light and ephemeral periodical literature. The calculations of its projectors at the onset were not, therefore, ill-founded, when they supposed that something more substantial was required, and would be appreciated. They found, too, as they supposed, in the country, a great want of an organ to represent and speak for that great body of sound conservative principle and common sense, which forms the solid substratum and basis, as well as the crown and summit of society. The party in politics which represents that body of principle was also without an organ of this character; and therefore it was determined to make their doctrines its leading feature. As the want of such a journal was obvious, its continued support is alike demanded for the political well-being of the nation, and its fair fame in the field of periodical literature. The newspapers, to whom the discussion of politics must otherwise be left, cannot, by their nature, thoroughly elucidate the questions that arise; and a superficial agitation of important subjects tends rather to unsettle than to establish principles. Without such journals, also, we are readers of foreign periodical essays in literature, politics, philosophy, and criticism, to the neglect of the development of our own mental resources and education in this important form; thuз taking biases from abroad which disturb the purer influences of our own institutions. So great are the facilities which our laws give to these publications, that it is absolutely the interest of some to decry our own literature whilst purloining that of others; when, at the same time, we are sure that, could we arouse the interest, and command the support of a tithe of those of our people whose tastes and means would permit it, our writers could make this journal equal, perhaps, to any in the world. The material for this, we are sure, exists among us; and for many reasons we believe that better use could be made of it here than elsewhere. But it must have remuneration equal to what it would obtain in other forms, or in other countries. These latter observations will at least indicate the ideal we aim at. That we have done something, however little, towards its accomplishment, we have reason to think, from the decided approbation of the journal expressed by the first minds in all parts of the country, as well as by the steady, and of late, rapid increase of our subscription list. The new year opens auspiciously. The party, for whose principles we have contended since the commencement of our enterprise, defeated as they were then, but strong in the might of truth, have prevailed. In this victory we verily believe that true Liberty has triumphed over anarchy; peace and prosperity over war and disaster; consitutional law See third page of Cover. Our Massachusetts subscribers are respectfully informed, that plate of the HoN. JOHN DAVIS having failed to answer the extions of the publishers, it will be engraved anew, in the best and a copy sent to each subscriber. that arise; and a superficial agitation of important subjects tends rather to ie than to establish principles. Without such journals, also, we are readers of re the sult 9Tre gn periodical essays in literature, politics, philosophy, and criticism, to the neglect st of so to dat the development of our own mental resources and education in this important form; hus taking biases from abroad which disturb the purer influences of our own institutions. or of Bos jo So great are the facilities which our laws give to these publications, that it is absolutely the interest of some to decry our own literature whilst purloining that of others; when, at the same time, we are sure that, could we arouse the interest, and command the support of a tithe of those of our people whose tastes and means would permit it, our writers could make this journal equal, perhaps, to any in the world. The material for this, we are sure, exists among us; and for many reasons we believe that better use could be made of it here than elsewhere. But it must have remuneration equal to what it would obtain in other forms, or in other countries. These latter observations will at least indicate the ideal we aim at. That we have done something, however little, towards its accomplishment, we have reason to think, from the decided approbation of the journal expressed by the first minds in all parts of the country, as well as by the steady, and of late, rapid increase of our subscription list. The new year opens auspiciously. The party, for whose principles we have contended since the commencement of our enterprise, defeated as they were then, but strong in the might of truth, have prevailed. In this victory we verily believe that true Liberty has triumphed over anarchy; peace and prosperity over war and disaster; consitutional law |