The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-05-11
Nathan al Literature and the Progress Of the
A,.s-Vhe crsar Men OF the Nation.


A.ts-qhe Great Men OF the Nation.
There ia probably no country IN the world where
so few monuments of art, taste, or patriotism have
heen erected 10 great public men, as in the United
Ssa,es On the continent of Europe, at almost
every STEP the traveller has his attention arrested
by the sight of some monument, statue, painting,
or memorial of distinguished characters and great
events. This sentiment of yeneration for illustri-
ous citizens manifested itself among all the early
nations, in q variety of forms and among all the
republics of antiquity, more especially, it seemed
10 constitute Of the principal national charac-
teristics. Hitherto, very little respect has been
shown TO the departed sages and heroes of the
revolution Of 7s, and their descendants probably
feed that, by inflated, bombastic and ridiculous
Fourth Of July orations, they have discharged
tisfactory al least to themselves the debt of graft
tude they owe to their fathers. A great many in
effectual attempts have been made raise nation
al monuments to the great men Of the past age to
whom the nation is much indebted for its exist
eace a republic and its present position.
But there other forms, through which the
gratitude and admiration of a nation can speak,
besides monuments and forms which often
more enduring and better adapted 10 the condition
and habits of a republican people like our own.
The invention Of printing has enabled age
which it was stirred and guided, and the art of en-
craving, in all its various forms, has, in connection
with typography been carried to such real perfec-
ton in our times, that there has probably never
been period in which such complete, satisfactory
and minute memorials and records have been
gathered up, 10 transmit 10 after ages, as in our
own. We venture TO assert, that no nation has
ever existed which has preserved clear, in
siruclive and authentic records of its early his
tory, as the United States. A vast number of
works, of great ability and value, on her ma
ional history have been published and from
time 10 time, even during the infancy of the fine
arts in this country several illustrated editions of
the national history have appeared. Among these
may be mentioned national Portrait Gallery,
Published some fiveand-twenty years ago, by Silas
Herring, the painter. II embraced the portraits of
great number of eminent Americ ans and al
though the work displayed little Of the luxury or
taste common TO those of its kind in Europe,
vet il contribution of very great value TO
the archives of our national history, and TO our
treasures of national art
But hitherto no work had appeared in a style
which could rival the magniticence of such works
published in Europe The announcement that a
s. Gallery of Illusrious Americans" which was
designed TO fiji the vacant niche was about to be
but there seemed to be some apprehension, lest a
work. involving many difficulties, and so much
expense, should not be carried out. We have
ourselves neglected any special notice Of this work
hitherto but the numbers are now being issued
with 10 much regularity and rapdity, and with
continually increased beauty of STYLE that it calls
for some more prominent notice. II is TO be COM
pete in twenty-iour numbers, and the proprietors
hope 10 finish it before the present year closes
Each number contains a large, faithful. and ex-
quistely engraved portrait of a distinguished man,
and biographical sketch, on two sheets of draw
ing paper, printed on large type, making altogether
the most superb specimen of typography that has
been seen in this country-and, so far as our OBJ
servalicn goes, in any other. Each number is con-
tanned in a cover, which serves the double purpose
of portfolio for the engraving and et;erpress and
rs also journal Of art, TASTE and literature. The
size 10 imperial foo-sixiecn by twenty three
inches. The first number contained the portrait
and biography of General Taylor written with
great brevity and power The second was devoted
10 John G. Calhoun. IL was published some time
before his death, and contains, not only the best
likeness Of the man that ever has been made, Tin
the estimation Of his fIiends). bot the most able,
just, sud glowing account Of his history. I, was
noble irbute to that grca; statesman; and although
shafts Of lanaticism being hurled at hi. pure
and lofty character yet it might have been proper
ly pronounced over his ashes as a funeral solenin-
~ The third No. is taken up with Daniel Web
ster, the Colossus Of the republic, the greatest
lawyer in the world aud man who. IL he IL found
true TO the whole nation, during the present ses-
sion OF Congress, will leave nothing complete his
fame This likeness, also, is the best, OF the man,
that has ever been made. The last number pub
lishcd CHE fourih), Is devoted 10 Slas Wright and
the same remarks we have made about the others,
apply appropriately to this.
1t has always been regarded a matter next to
impossible TO write, without prejudice passion,
about ones own cotemporaries, and 1t certainly is
no easy task but in this case, the editor Of this
woIk seems TO have achieved that point success
fully, for the opinion of his countrymen has been
expiefsed through the press, in every part OF the
nation with perfect unanimty II is the only good
thing We ever heard Of, that everybody liked: but
itwould be hard to find anything TO say against 20
noble and national design az the grouping togc-
ther into a splendid gallery the portraits Of twenty
four ct the most illusriouz citizens Of the republic
particularly at this time, when fanatics and
bgots Of all descriptions have put forth all their
encrrics 10 disturb the tranquility Of the Union
excite local passions and sectional prejudice, TO
innone one portion ofthc nation against the other
and Encourage an intolerani hicotry which, IL al
lowed &C. grow unchecked, would, IN very short
per.,d hnr the nation 10 destruction. We PER
ceiye that the two next numbers &C this gallery arc
10 embrace portraits and lives of Colonel Fremont,
and Henry Clay, and in the whole Scope 81 our
history here are not two Eohlcr subjects
No Nun. perheps, a, any period Of the world, has
achieved so much during the same period. a. col
Fremont. No man has had 20 extraordinary an
sgrncy in the spread of cur government TO the
coasis If the Pacific. No man ever reprc-enied 90
young. q powerful. -,r'ngc a common wcnth
nCc'enel Fremont. in bic new capacity the re-
preventative Of California, conducts himself with
the ,mc ability. hunntss, and discretion which
~ a - II. 4