A cry for a national literature rang throughout the country. Margaret Fuller was quoted as saying that, ?It does not follow because many books are written by persons born in America that there exists an American literature?Before such can exist, an original idea must animate this nation and fresh currents of life must animate this nation and fresh currents of life must call into life fresh thoughts along its shores

Although the country was divided, many southerners saw the inhumanity of one person owning another. Angelina Grimke, from a wealthy South Carolina family, appealed to women of the south for the abolition of slavery, ?Some of you own slaves yourselves. If you believe slavery is Sinful, set them at liberty?If they wish to remain with you, pay them wages, if not let them leave you. Should they remain teach them?(447).?

In 1787 James Madison echoed Emerson?s thoughts on self-reliance in his contribution to The Federalist, as part of the collective works of ?Publius,? consisting of the three politicians: Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. In this work the call for self-reliance in the democratic government cannot be denied, ??it may be concluded, that a pure Democracy, I mean, a Society, consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the Government in person, can admit of no cure for the mischief of faction?The two great points of difference between a Democracy and a Republic are, first, the delegation of the Government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest: secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended (347).? These works by ?Publius? defined democracy as a government reliant upon its self and that of the people.

The universal themes of individualism, self-reliance, and slavery were instrumental in the creation of a uniquely American voice. The young country and its people were struggling with many issues during its early life, a nation that was eager to have its own identity. The simple act of understanding and facing these issues made the country exceptional and helped to create an American identity and a uniquely American voice.

James Fenimore

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