Region, Ethnic Group, and American Writers: From “Non-Southern” and “Non-Ethnic” to Ludwig Lewisohn; or the Ethics of Wholesome Provincialism

Abstract

In 1785 a writer who used the pen name “Celadon” (singer) tried to clarify the meaning of regions in America by making them one with ethnic groups. The author of the small pamphletThe Golden Age; or, Future Glory of North-America Discovered by an Angel to Celadon in Several Entertaining Visionscontemplated the future of America from a mountain overlooking the whole continent. He describes himself in a state of rapture whenthe Angel recalled my attention by a gentle touch on my side, and pointing his finger a little to the south-west, Celadon, says he, do you see yonder long valley. … That whole region you may call Savagenia: It being designed for the future habitation of your now troublesome Indians. — And that other valley. … It lies toward the north-west … This you may call Nigrania: It being allotted for the Negroes to dwell there, when the term of their vassalage is come to a period. — And in all those vast spaces westward to the great ocean, there may be seats hereafter for sundry foreign nations. — There may be a French, a Spanish, a Dutch, an Irish, an English, &c. yea, a Jewish State here in process of time. — And all of them united in brotherly affection, will at last form the most potent empire on the face of the earth (pp. 11–12).