Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-17

THE Prize POEM. The prize poem which
was recited at the opening Of the fremont
Theatre, continues to produce no inconsidera-
bic excitement, in the literary emporium, and
| the spectators" and the members of the
"corps Hterati," are deeply agitated with
the subject. Indeed the excitement has been
felt, from Boston to Philadelphia. The Phil
adelphia Aurora, and franklin Gazette, of the
tenth instant, contains the following article, in
relation to the subject.
COMMUNICATIONS. A correspondent in
the Aurora and Frank lin Gazette Of yesterday,
wishes to know who is the author of the ad-
dress delivered at the opening Of the fremont
Theatre, Boston. I answer, it is Mr.. Buck
| ingham. Editor Of the Galaxy and Courier.
| He had the address mailed at Hartford and
signed with the fictitious name Of James jam
icson, his rcal name, at the same time being
known TO one Of the Committee, who was
| very tenacious in awarding him the prize. 1t
is to bo hoped that the best among tho REJECT
| ed addresses, will be published, that the pub
lie may judge Of the equity Of the decision"
This is the first time, that we have seen the
real name boldly given, though we have more
than once had it intmated to US, that there
was foul play in the game, and that there were
strong reasons for believing that Mr.. Bucking-
ham was the author of the poem, andt had
managed to get it received, with the view of
palming its authorship on his son if the address
proved successful. Coming from the quarter that
those intimations did, we at first were inclined
to believe them TO be correct, though we mar
vellcd that man like Mr.. Buckingham, should
thus idly PROSTATE hard earned reputation,
and for tho paltry consideration of one hun
dred dollars. risk his fame, as a man of
taste and integrity; and we are sorry to say,
that thus far we have not no reason to alter
the opinion we irst formed, in relation to the
subject
We will not undertake to say, that Mr..
Buckingham has been guilty of the act. laid to
his charge, and for the respect we bear his
talents, we hope he will be enabled 10 obtain
a verdict Of acquittal, when tried by the lite
rary courts Of justice. If the charg Q, which
has been preferred against him, be not true,
no epithets of condemnation can be too severe,
to be applied to the caIumniator, and depreda.
tor on private fame.
But il is marvellous, it is extraordinarily
strange, that the Editor of the Ncw-England
Galaxy. cannot prove his innocence, if, indeed
lie be innocent, and still more marvellous, it
is, that he cannot, with the aid Of the gentle
men composing the Committee. prove that such
a man as JAMMIEsoN, Of Hartford, the re-
Puted author, exists. The papers of Hart
cd, d,ny tn Q existence Of such an individual,
and consider the whole affair, to be nothing
but sheer act of imposition. The fact is, no
such man ever existed, and in awarding the
prize, an act Of literary fraud has been COM
mitted, which we believe, thus far, has had
no parallel.
From tho whole course Of conduct adopted
by Mr.. Buckingham, it is but too evident, that
he is acquainted with the affair in some way
OF other; for, when it was asccrtained that
the prize address, did not meet with public ap-
probation, he put himself TO the trouble of
apologizing for the author, and inserted some
additional lines. which he sale, ,wore cut out by
the Committee, and caused the failure. And
after having been openly charged with being
principal, or accessory to the fraud, instead of
adducing proof Of is.innocence, he INDUCED in
TRADE Of abuse, and whilst he did not DENY
the charges preferred. attempted to bully his
accusers out Of countenance. Whether he oe
guilty, or not guilty. it becomes him to satisfy
the world on the subject, and we assure him,
that we shall sincerely rejoice, on hearing of
his established innocence, and honor able ac-
quittal.
The Committee, have also sacrificed their
reputation, by awarding a prize to miscra-
BILE production, and rejecting those which were
decidedly superior, one or two of which, would
do honor 10 the pens Of the most celebrated
bsrds The whols sfair, commenced in-