Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-10-27
MISCELLANEOUS.

Asreeably TO promise, we to-day publish the
beautiful lue speech of MIR. J. 7. Headley, be-
fore The American Ar,-Union. He is the au-
thor OF that charming book, Napoleon and his
Marshals' and his present effort proves him 10
he as good with the tongue as the pen. The COM
position is chasle and elegant, and arouses the
most thrilling associations. The speaker points
ont the proper policy TO form national TASTE
and 10 perpetua,e The patriotism OF our people.
MIR. ]. T. Headey said: Mr.. President and
Gentlemen Of the Art-Unon-l design 10 make
a few, and but a few, remarks, on American AT
and lis influence on national feeling. This Soci-
civ has for its sole object the encouragement OF
American Art. 1t is increasing, and must in
crease every year, and though all its good effects
are no. Immediately palpable, yet the seed it is
sowing through the length and breadth OF The land
will weld its harvest in time. II IS an American
institution-with home feeling and home pur-
pose and therefore love il.
Every nation, worthy OF the name oil nation,
has its native SOUL as we'll as native solt-lts own
neculiar views of all that makes up this lille, and
lis own mode of ut,ering those views. II this be
irue as a general proposition, il has still more
force when applied to this country. II there ever
was people on the face Of The earth with peculi-
AZ and striking characteristics, ii is the American
neonle. and il we could only release ourselves
from that strange infatualion about foreign arts
and artists, and foreign literature, and foreign
eyery thing, and dare and love 10 be ourselves,
we should soon have an American literature, an
American school OF art, as well as peculiar
form of government. do not say this from that
narrow prejudice and selt-ove which hates every
thing but It's own glorihca!ion, but from inc con-
yic,ion that every nation, like every man that Is
warrh apy thing, has soul, an uerance oil lis
own.-something in Itself worth showing 10
mankind; and, indeed, that lis true glory and
greatness consist in daring TO be itself, as
in a man in daring 10 be natural Our Auan'
tic coast has such an intimate connection WIN
Europe, that have sometimes thought we never
should have much that was national till The Wesl
should Give shape and character 10 the country
II is worth mans cOnsideralion-the tact Thai
an untutored Western man, who has grown up
away from all those aids deemed so necessary 10
the student sthe best living sculptor IN the Word
Mr.. Powers is a forcible illustration of what
wish 10 say on this point He went from Clncin-
natl 10 Florence, from 40 art 10 the seat and centre
OF art yet never forgot that nature, not the rules
OF the academy, was to be his guide. Unlike
others who are seized with sudden distrust Of
their own powers the moment they gaze on the
works OF the great masters, and merge their ind'-
yiduaity in the rules OF The academy, he follow
ed the bent OF his own genius, and triumphed.-
He did not despise the glorious lessons the silent
statues around him uttered, but he used them as
aids 10 develope perfeciy that which was in him.
He was not orer,oaslnred, but strengthened, BY the
world of art that suddenly opened before him.
Hence he became creator, not an ,mitatm. All
honor 10 him for the example he has set his coun-
,rvmen Fear is no more the curse of The world
than the curse OF individual man. Afraid OF
criticism, be speaks so to paciiy 1t, and mol SO
az 10 u,ier himself. Our artists painters and
scuip,ors have taken The first step in nationality;
our literature is sadly behind. Powers builds an
Eve beside the Venus de Medici, and gives 10 the
world an Americans conception Of '0oman; with
mailed as well as passion; with thought as well
as feeling. Clevenger rears his Wild Indian
rich, before Michael Angeles David. and asks Inc
world 10 speak cut its criticism. Brown mouid'
his thoughtful Indian Boy beside the Apoliino OIL