The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-11
The s.a,us Of Calho,.,..

The statue Of CaIhoun.
We give place below To a letter from our coun-
tryman, Hiram Powers, and the Introductory re-
marks of the Charleston Mercury. They cannot
fail to interest the lovers of the fine arts and the
numerous friends and admirers of the great Caro-
linian--the lamented CALHOUN.
"We publish below very interesting letter from
Powers-interesting for more reasons than one.
Fears had been entertained that the statue OF CAL
houn board of the ILL ated bark that carried
Eve to the bottom. These fears agreeably
relieved by the letter Another point of interest is
the artists conception of the character OF Mr. Cal
houn, which we have never seen so fully developed
before. lie has evidently studied his subject with
earnestness and affection, and his idea Of the great
statesman is very striking, and finely elucidated.
We look for work on which the artist may rest
his fame, and devoutly trust that no untoward ac-
cident may occur to mock his precautions for its
safe passage The loss of the 8 Eve is a real
calamity, as it was one of Powers's earliest de-
signs, and has been long undergoing his perfecting
touch. We beleve that no engraving of it has been
seen in this country; but the number of critical
notices by travellers had given the work wide
fame, and excited lively curiosity to see il. 1t
executed for Mr. John S. Preston Of this State,
IA gentleman known both for his fine taste in art
and his liberal patronage OF artists,
FLORENCE, April I, 1850.
81 am much grieyed at not having an opportu-
nifty to send the statue, since il has been finished
and encased. No ship has yet presented, and, in
answer TO my inquiries, now learn that the first
vessel for New York will be the good American
vessel Elizabeth, which will sail about the middle
Of next month 1t is barely possible that some
vessel may touch at Leghorn, and sail sooner, in
which case shall be advised in time to get the sta
tue off.
81 have taken every possible precaution to ensure
the safety of the statue. The 'blockings' have
all been fitted by my hands, and, if any acct
dent occurs, it will not be for want of careful pack
leg, and every possible attention this side of the
water. intend to go down to Leghorn to see 1t on
board ship
at is fortunate circumstance that this statue
was not ready in time for the new and large Swc-
dish ship 'Westmoreland,' upon which my untor
tunate Eve > shipped She stranded near
Carthagena, (Spain,) and was in almost hopeless
condition at last accounts Ohe water up to the
ridors,) and likely to go topeces. Eve was in
sured for $1,000 but ] had an ideal bust on board
which was not. This is my punishment for ven
turing to ship on foreign vessels. shall not do it
again
"We have very bad accounts here of Mr.. CAL
HoUN's health. hope they exaggerated. II is
small consideration, but to me one OF much inter-
est, that he should my statue OF himself; and
know that you and others who have united in this
project entertain similar wishes in this respect 1t
Is very probable, however, that he will see a very
good daguerreotype of it in the possession of Mr.
Aspinwall, who promised to show ii to him. The
words :" Truth, Justice, and the Constitution"
have been engraved upon the scroll in gilt letters,
and as nearly as possible, in the hand of Mr.. CAL
HoUs. ! have given the form of his writing, but
corrected the trembling hand little The effect is
fine.
'sIt may be satisfactory to you to know, that, as
far l have been informed, or have means of
knowing, this statue has given entire satisfaction
to all who have seen it here Some say that it has
a more vigorous expression than Mr.. CALHOUN
now has, but this is owing to the time at which
took his likeness, about fifteen years ago, when he
was really in his prime. He had, to be sure, the
look of age, but none of its infrmities; the very
time of life at which great man. like him, should
kar hrxtt .ak oh,
terity.
"You will find that have represented his hair
shorter than he now wears it, MIR. Kellogg sent
me drawing of his head with long hair, but l did
not like II 30 well. 1t was shorter when made
his bust, but then thought it too long for the
best effect. Mr.. Calhoun's head is beautifully
formed; nothing could be finer than the outline of
it. The concentrated energies of his powerful
mind appear to glow, and sometimes to flash, from
his face Where all is angular and masculine, long
hair is eemnate and soft, il does not accord with
the 'cast-iron man. i may add, that long hair
disturbs the clean and fine outline of his head Ii
is true, that at his Preside, and among his friends,
Mr.. Calhoun's manner is soft and gentle as
child's-his smile is sunshine, and like the sun
shine, it toarms while it enghtens all around him;
but it is sunshine Ii is ordinary light and heat
that is perceived and felt in Mr.. Calhoun's relaxed
presence II is the light and heat Of melted cast
iron.' II may be enjoyed, but it cannot be played
with. have preferred to represent Mr. Calhoun
as he is known and understood by the mass of our
peope-the disnterested and stern statesman of the
South. / say nothing of his political views, more
than that believe them to be sincere and honest.
81 pray you to pardon me for venturing to give
the above views of Mr.. CALHouN's person and cha
racter. An artist ought always TO act upon fixed
ideas Of the subject he is treating-in other words,
he should have proper conception of it, or his la
bors will be abortive. The above has been my con-
ception; il is for you, and all those who have 30
kindly and generously united with you in this pro-
ject, 10 Judge how far have been successful in
forming and executing the design for MIR. CAL
Hous.e statue. have been long while about II,
but rhe subject has never been absent from my
mind. Upon other work have ever spent 30
much time and labor, nor is IL likely that I ever
shall agan-for it is the fret full length drapcd sta
tue that have made.
"Yours, most sincerely,
"HIRAM POWERS.