Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-12-23
Twenty-third Congrcss---2d scss.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Monday, Dec 10.
P.aRLLaNEAT9RY POLEMfcs.
pAlStINcs ron Tnk RoTusDo.

(crucred To third reading
'ic ias SESSION. was taken up and read third time
Mr. J: Q. Adams expressed doubt whether four ma
1--WE ARTISTS could be found who fully competent TO
tc execution OF the task 10 bc assigned TO them He
moved To strike out four thereby leaving il rctionarv
WITH The committee to employ one or more Artists
MT JARVIS Chairman Of the committee which report
ca tiie oiD remarked that there difference of
opinion in the committee as to the terms of The resoln
ton; and they had doubt whatever that four Amcr-
can artist could he found who fully competent to
ue WORK. lie did not wish to make monopoly of the
business as we had done before; there was nothing
ne sad IN the pictures now in the Rotundo which could
ee auuuced as an argument in favor of giving the xecu
noii OF four more paintings to one individual lie did
NOT uount four paintings could be executed by four mr.
lists eher OF which would he equal TO the best of those
now IN the Rotundo -Four artists he believed could be
ound who would adon the Capitol and do honor to the
country lie had however, objection the proposed
amendment nor to the employment of a less mn nbcr
than four if four could not be found.
MT. Wise said, IN reply to Mr. Adams that he hoped
me House would pardon few observations from him on
hs resolution and amendment he felt deep interest
in the subject The gentleman from Massachusetts, SAYS
that he doubts whether four American artists can be
found competent 10 execute these paintings Sir | am
PROUD TO say and believe, that this countrythc great
masters deadis richer in native talents in the fine
art than any country the globe. Without meaning to
DC invdlous IN the naming ofour artists American
WIZ ooast that Ailston Is the finest historical painter
Suy the finest portrait panter-and Greenough is the
hnest sculptor in the world. And to these could add
me names OF twice the number t0ur One-Chapnan-
know TO have slept upon his easel during STAY ofthree
years IN Italy, before the works of the old masters i'm Tho
ana TO nave had an historical painting engraved
by the Academy of Fine Arts at Rome The country is
Tich IN artists Though tie fine not encouraged
mere they are indigenous TO the country. The gentle
man says mat the result of employing om viii be that
inc paintings will be Indifferent Sir cannot see how
mere are Tour pannels in the Rotundo TO be filed BY
selecting an artist for each, you will enlarge the field of
scecuon develop much native talent as possible and
by having than artist YOU will ensure success
IN the pictures; by competition Such is the object of
selecting J@r. The evil of monopoly is now to be
seen IN the Rotundo. The precedent of Truinbus
paintings instead of being quoted for the selection one
aust should be cited for the selection of four Docs
tie gentleman from Massachusetts not know that the
piece OF The signing of the Declaration of Independence
was dubbed by former representative of Virginia mir
handolph) the painting of shns 1t may be- seen by
any who VIII look at them that the faces in one are the
idces OF ali four and that all the faces in the same piece
nave all the same characteristics There always win be
100 much SaleneSS in any four pieces executed by the
same hand however different the subjects and there
fore, there should be different hands to execute them
Contrast wanted for effect besides competition for sue
oess, Iour are employed, four styles of American
painting will be exhibited. hope, sir, the resolution
VIII pass IN its original form.
Mr. Ward said, that the subject had been brought
before the Committee of which he was member M tho
last session of Congress- on the motion of the honorabe
gentleman from Virginia, (Nlr. Wise1 and il had been
iuy discussed IN tie Committee In reporting the rcso
lution now before the House, the Committee had consi-
dercd that IL due the American artist that these
pictures should be distributed among them He WAS
proud 10 know that possessed many native artists who
were July competent to the task which proposed to
assign them lie spoke of Sully Allstdn Vanderlin
Morse Leslie, Wier. Chapman, Trumbull Agate Os-
good and others, artists, whose works would never
dscred the Capitol of the Nation With this list before
us, lie thought it would lie highly inexpedient 10 confpc
our selection to less number than that which the Com
mttee had proposed. There were, he did not doubt
many young artists IN country, whose names per
haps were yet unknown to fame but who only wanted
an opportunity to distinguish themselves Chapman and
Wer he considered as artists of inconsidcrable merit
lhey were destined: if generously cherished and pro-
perry appreciated TO become at no distant day the most
distinguished artists III this any other country Ma
ture had endowed those youthful candidates for fame with
taste and genius that qualified them adorn the walls
OF our Capitol and to illustrate the brightest pages Of
lsfOr Iler.a
were deserving ofour confidence and lac hoped that we
should afford some of them opportunity oftrnnsmttinr
their names to posterity in this great work
Mr. Burgess did not know, he said what had called
forth this immortal band of artists If we arc so crowded
by native TALENT we surrounded and pressed by such
host OF native artists why said he do we not let them
complete among themselves the works for The ornament
ofhe Rcundo and, when they arc finished as TO please
every eye, select and purchase such we approve for
our purposc He himself felt little tenacious of the
right to vote for what subjects he pleased and it was
right which Inc would not willingly dclepate If artists
selected their subjects he would wish choose from
S.elf works such as nc might approve. He doubted
HIMSELF whether possessed many artists who ,yerc
competent to adorn the Capitol; but as it was subject
out of his usual path. he did not pretend 10 dorno; 1
upon it. He knew Mr. Allston and had seen some ol,;
works. and he would be very willing commit the pro-
posed works to his genius. But, if employed num-
per OF artists TO execute the paintings what subjects
would they select? There was one subject in this ci nc
aabsorbing interest, which had formerly been suyocs,
cd-lhe battle OF New Orleans. At the mention Of il
many ieel their blood warm and hearts glow Ii might
TOO exeitc some party feeling feelings in conncx
ion with the Constitution and Some in reference to mat
tiers OF taste There point in the battle re-
ierrcu TO- winch could be selected by the artist as the
leading incident There should be- i'm n pointing some
point to which every other circumstance should refer
without This, the picture could have no unity What
makes the unity Of the Declaration of Independence fl
was one conspicuous individual in tile Of presenting
Inc Declaration of Independence. That the absorb
ing act which gave unity the piece He did not know
Ddt all the gentlemen who had been named were cosn
ae arst but he was quite certain, that they could not
PANT battle without unity. 1t would be a fabbc
rout, or mob. And how could mob be painted In
no way but to place one upon stump making spcecb
Gentemen seemed TO be too fearful Of making ilouopo-
~ but II we had among native artists any Cnrreggo
or Michael Angelo, lac would put him upon the Same
level with ordinary artist lie was not such an odu
agrarian principles. Are We, said Mr. b. in such
state OF mediocnty that we have star amonnsf this
host OF artists If VIC have such galaxy Of talent there
must be some star OF the first magnitude which ousncs
the rest lie would, therefore, oppose any division Of
the work among different artists merely for the pnrpoo
Of avoiding monopoly. lie would not give to anv art
is the power to select the subjects Let them Law tbe
subjects winch they arrange before the House and let us
choose from them such worthy Of the Capitol and
Of the nation.
Mr. Wise said, that il had been urged that this conn
Try Is not rich enough in artists FOR four paintings but lac
ana not expect 20 hear The question which had been ask
ca by Tie gentleman from Rhode Island (Alr BurgesJ
what s there To call forth much native talents i'm
the iinc arts IN this country? In his cousry rs N
- not only the richest ia the fine arts now but x is tho
richest country in the world IN hsf1riea ersBfs for
the pencil Of the painter Ia historical events of thc
battlefield. and in the council chamber Eyefv inch 80
ground in this country in consocra,ed 10 freedom, Nv
events great, holy and sacred Every State in tIc
Union las events 20 be- pnintcd-cvcn tho little State a.
Rhode Island haa grcqt 70 be painted But sir
This not tic meaning OF the gentleman lie did Nh
mean 70 dsparage his country well her artists His
meaning pcopcd out before he took his seat and ,a moi
cit snohcrcd ~ his qucstifn This gentleman appcars