The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. I., No. 1, August, 1834

"The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. I., No. 1, August, 1834" by Various is the start of a magazine made to uplift stories and art in the South during the 1800s. This first issue tries to start a trend of Southerners writing, which was something that wasn't really done because everyone was too busy with politics. It talks about how important it is for Southern writers to be themselves and how it wants to show off the South's own culture. The start of the magazine is a message from the publisher who is hopeful and wants writers in the South to step up and show who they are. Letters from famous writers at the time encourage people from the South to share their writing. The writings in the magazine try to get people thinking about what the South could do with its writing, sharing new stories, poems, and essays that speak to important topics. It pretty much gives a spotlight to writers who might not have been heard otherwise.