The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-21

whether il may not be better 20 employ Captain Es s.
map. or soms ghs otesr p me yalIed sssss srny 10
for the government, Than 70 purchase the collection
either MfiCauin or Mr. > anley - gta te., st,t.
That opens the whole field Of iHqhiry, and will sns.
able the committee, or rather require the committee that
shall be appointed 10 examine and ascertain The relative
merits OF the various collections OF these pictures thai
are presented 70 our consideration. and 10 determine
whether either 10 worthy OF Our patronage 10 this extent
whether may mol be better TO employ oihcer OF
our own army who is competent 10 paint Tor US a
better series than either ! have mentioned captain,
Eastman. because be il well known 10 the country as az
artist oil very high order. perhaps equal TO any, II not
better Than any, engaged in painting Indian Portraits and
whose knowledge OF Indian character ana iaInilanlS
with The scenes among The Indians, qualify him perhaps
better than any other 10 judge OF what Is menion-
in such paintings, and who IS himself, perhaps
better qualified Than anybody else 10 produce series o.
government The advantage OF employing him, or some
other officer OF the army, is wo-told in the hrs place.
The money shall pay; and in the second place,
shall have 10 pay very little money at all He is an
officer Of the army; he is competent TO do the work,
and he is willing TO be employed at no more than he
now receives as an officer OF the army TO do this work
about which gentlemen seem to have much anxiety
and socitude Il is for these thai have offered
Mr. COOPER From the remarks of the honorable
senator from Arkansas, MR. BeRLAsD,l it is evident
that his objection is not TO the per but TO the
paintings collection OF paintings proposed TO be pur-
chased He is not for purchasing the portraits and other
paintings OF Mr. Catlin but he is for inslitutng in
qury which is designed to result in the employment OF
Captain Eastman paint series OF paintings, in the
purchase OF another gallery OF paintings the work of
Mr. Stanley. Now, have nothing 10 say against the
artistic merits OF either Captain Eastman or Mr. Stanley
the contrary, am willing to concede TO both OF them
very high degree OF skill in this department Of the fine
arts Both of them have given striking evidence of great
talent But according to them all the merit that is due TO
Them or TO either OF them TO say that they are cleaners
after Mr. Catin, is doing injustice to neither OF than.
have seen the paintings Of all these gentlemen; and al
though do not profess to be very critical accurate
Judge OF merits OF this kind yet, as far as have any
judgment. am compelled TO say that the collection OF Mr.
Catn is very Tar superior 10 that OF any other IN artistic
merit lie was The original pioneer ~ this held When he
first commenced TO give TO The world the series OF Indian
portraits which in London and which have been
seized in execution that field OF art was entirely
explored. His genius opened the way and until
to-day | have suspected-l had never heard
1t hinted--tha there was not a very great display
of artistic skill and talent exhibited by Mr.. Cailin
in the paintings which the resolution before you is
designed to purchase to grace this Capitol. Here and
abOad-everywhee wherever these paintings have been
exhibited, in contrast with matter what others they
accorded 10 the artist not only for faithfuness Of de-
lnea,on, but as have said already, Tor general artistic
skill.
Now, is il not matter which should commend itself
to the American statesman and patriot to purchase col
lection perfect that of Mr. Can is3 The portraits
which his pencil has executed the only remains of the
chiefs and braves of those tribes which were once the
lords of the soil and who have almost entirely disap
peared from The face OF the earth Is II not right that
should provide that poserity may know the forms
and faces OF these aboriginal chiettans as well that
they may learn from history the other characteristics
which cannot very well be exhibited on canvass Al
though Mr.. Stanley has employed himself with ability
this walk OF yet he has not had the opporlun
ties that Mr. Callin enjoyed, and has produced
much that is as worthy OF patronage as Mr. Calm has
done. |. Congress should choose very willing To
extend the patronage OF the government both 10 him and
to Capt Eastman do not think there would be any
very great stretch of public generosity in purchasing the
collection OF Mr. Catln in the first place. the few
scattering works OF Capt Eastman in the second place
and, finally to add 10 them the collection OF Mr. Stanley
do moi thnk that would be very great thing for a
rich and powerful nation, Advancing with greater rapid
ity TO wealth, power, 10 intellectual pree
THAI any other nation which has prece led in The his
tory OF the world can conceive of nothing that would
grace % greater extent those walls which are
being erected for The deliberations OF futue Congresses
than gallery containing the portraits OF the aborgnes
OF this country, in order that posiery may the faces
OF the men who occupied this soil when II was wilder
ness, and previous 10 their own times.
Now, If there be objection 10 the form Of the
luton proposed by the senator from New York, Mr.
SEWARD IS has been suggested by the senator from
Alabama, Mr.. CLEMENS and appreheDd that there
is something Objectionable in i-let amend il, and
not let turn back upon the proposition merely
because there is something IN THIS resolution that gentle
men do not like. ] vote Tor il in It's present
form, though ] think the employment of agent
is altogether useless We know what the coec
ton is, and where 1t is and a simple resolution
thonzing the President 10 purchase IT, and pay
exceeding much upon the delivery OF the collection
here TO authorized agent, would be all that is
sary; and if somebody else shall not move so to amend
the resolution, will do il myself ! have amend
men in my hand which, in the event that other gem
tleman shall move il, will do So But do trust that
this matter will commend itself TO the American Senate
and although gentlemen will thus thing ing
into the picture dealing business, hope that will de-
ter men who have proper regard for this mat,er-I
ought not to cay that, for il may be considered
Election upon some, and certainly do not intend any
such thing-I hope they will be deferred on that &C
count from voting this irfng submitting in COMPARE
10 ablitythat is necessary purchase this col
lection OF paintings.
Mr.. PRATT. At this stage OF the session, when there
remains SO much OF the public business OF the country
requiring the attention OF the Senate, do think will be
conceded TO be out OF place TO consume time in
discussion OF the relative artistic merits of the gentlemen
referred to- am opposed to the original resolution aud
also TO the amendment offered by the from Ar
kansas. [sir BoaLAsD and for the purpose of testing
the oil the Senate move to lay the whole subject
upon the table, and upon that motion call the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were accordingly ordered
Mr.. SEWARD. viii the honorable senator from
one remark in reply 10 senators who have opposed this
resolution
Cries OF " No, no - "Quesiion, question"
Mr. PRATT. My object in moving 10 lay this matter
upon the table TO prevent the consumption OF the
time OF the Senate. II withdraw my motion in order
to give the senator from New York Mr.. SEWARD an
opportunity reply senator's other senators will have
will be consumed in debating this subject. As that is
wha, wish 10 avoid, | cannot withdraw my motion
The question being then taken by yeas and nays upon
laying the resolution upon the table, il agreed to-
yeas 81, nays 20-as follow
YEAS-Messu Atchlson, Bayard, Borand, Butler
Charlton, Clemens, Davis Desaussute, Douglas Downs,
Fetch, Geyer, Hamlin Houston Hunter Jones OF Iowa
MALI Mua0n upfhn Mnrfap d.. n,,als