The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 5, May, 1864 / Devoted To Literature And National Policy

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22770

Title

The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 5, May, 1864 / Devoted To Literature And National Policy

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This May 1864 issue of The Continental Monthly presents a powerful argument for the Union cause, contrasting the economic and educational superiority of Free States over Slave States. It features Robert J. Walker's statistical analysis of Ohio versus Kentucky, alongside romantic poetry, literary critiques of Adelaide Procter and Jean Ingelow, and a stirring appeal to American women's roles in the war effort.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in May 1864, *The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 5* serves as a vital literary and political organ dedicated to literature and national policy during the Civil War. The issue opens with a significant essay by Hon. Robert J. Walker, who utilizes official Census data to demonstrate the vast superiority of Free States over Slave States. Walker compares Kentucky and Ohio, showing that despite similar geography, Ohio's population and wealth grew exponentially faster due to the absence of slavery. He extends this comparison to national statistics, highlighting the Free States' dominance in education, infrastructure, and industrial output, arguing that slavery is the sole cause of this disparity. Walker concludes that the Union must crush the rebellion to preserve free institutions and self-government. The issue also features a collection of fiction and poetry, including a dramatic narrative about a chieftain facing a tragic choice between duty and love, set against a backdrop of moonlit castles and chasms. The literary section includes an 'Editor's Table' reviewing the works of Adelaide Procter and Jean Ingelow. The editor praises Procter for her lucid, pathos-filled style that resonates with human experience, while noting Ingelow's brilliant but occasionally obscure fancy. Both poets are noted for their deep religious convictions. A significant portion is dedicated to 'Loyal Women of America,' a tribute to the contributions of women during the war. The text argues that women have proven their strength and capability through sacrifice, elevating their status and rights. It includes a poem, 'A Soldier's Psalm of Woman,' by Lieut. Richard Realf, which celebrates women's compassion, nursing, and moral support as vital to the soldier's endurance and the nation's freedom. The issue concludes with a correction regarding an article on marriage and a notice for a music textbook.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Politics
• Literature