Only let the fundamental conditions
be fulfilled, and renewed Art will show, like that which preceded
it, in its first works, its aim and intent. In the production of the
distinctly characteristic, if it proceed from a fresh original energy,
Grace is already present, even though hidden, and in both the advent
of the Soul already determined. Works produced in this manner, even in
their rudimentary imperfection, are necessary and eternal. * * *
LATER GERMAN ROMANTICISM
By George H. Danton, PH.D
Professor of German, Butler College
The group of later Romanticists is distinguished from the earlier
pioneers by less emphasis on speculative philosophy, by greater
spontaneity, and by more creative ability. The later school was less
interested in questions primarily esthetic and was more democratic.
Both groups were enemies of the aristocratic Enlightenment of the
eighteenth century; but where the earlier group worked with the
Kantian understanding and with a supersensuous philosophy, the younger
men lived in the world and were of it; they used the people to carry
on their propaganda. Thus, though later Romanticism contains nearly
all the ideas of earlier Romanticism, it displays in addition also,
political, national, and social tendencies which were in the main
foreign to the earlier writers.
There was in the later group a deeper sense of religion and a firmer
belief in the spiritual foundations of experience than is shown by
their predecessors, though all Romanticism tried to penetrate the
mysteries of life and all Romanticists were seers as well as
prophets.
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