Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-12
ENCOURAGEMENT TO AMERICAN POETIC
TALENT!
$500 PREMIUM!

IMPRESSED with the controlling influence which
is exercised by tho fine arts upon the direction and des
tiny Of human affairs it has given infinite pleasure wit
the bounfu in which, from time to time paint
ing and auary has been encouraged aud rewarded by the
Councils of the Nation.
But while this acknowledgment is due to the discerning and
worthy patrons of these noble arts it is equal Of
humiliation and to behold the apparent apathy and
difference with which they to regard the ncomparably
valuable creations Of poetry.
To them adorn the walls Of the Capitol with the glowing
revelations Of the pencil and decorate the public grounds with
tho costly chef uvres of the chse good which
the progress refinement But whilst they lavish their thou
sands these mmobe products and marble and
bronze they offer reward for the exalted
during and renowned ovaons Of the No fostering hand
sm these high places has yet invited the Promehean
FIRE Of poetry animate the history of country which,
with all its harmony Of form md wonder Of proportion lies
asleep around the humble Of Mount Vernon, ready
spring into life and beauty at the first kindng touch Of this
genial inspiration
proofs that crowd the records Of the past show how above
all others stands the divine art" Of poey. What all the
paintings statues and regaa Uf Versailles Of Fonanbleau
and the Tuileres, compared with the Marseles Hymn p
What the kngy panopy of gold and heaped in the
Tower of London what the collections Of the Royal Academy
the hsowed Abbey when
compared with the songs Of Burns and Dibden and Camp
be2 Or what hiss the world that would take in exchange
for Hail Columbia and the Banner ?" Well
might the British statesman excam "let but write the
ballads Of nation and not who makes its laws"
As far the living breathing is above the cold, in
sensate marble that is made represent him far the
radiant skies Of above the pershabe to
which the painter has transferred their feeble SO
far is poetry above all other that have their mission to
console and elevate and inspire the immortal mind Of
In vewof these facts, and considering the lamentablc
pauciy of patriotic songs in distinguished and beloved
country and with the hope being humble of
arousng proper public feeling upon this interesting subject
have been induced to Offer and do hereby Offer the sum OF
hve hundred dollars prize for the best National Poem
Ode, or Epic.
The rules which will govern the payment of this
follows
have selected hout consulting them the following
persons judges Of the prize thus offered
namely:
The President Of the United States
Hon. A. 0. p Nicholson, Of Tennessee.
Hon. Chas. Sumner, Of U. S. Senate.
Hon. R. M. t. Hunter, do
Hon. j. R chandler, Of U. House Of Representatives
Hon. Thos. H. Bayly, do do
Hon. John P. Kennedy, Secretary Of the Navy.
DR.. Jno. w. Q. Evans Of New Jersey.
Dr. Thos. Saunders.
Joseph Gales,
Gen. r. Armstrong, -
Dr. @. Bailey, " ~ 1855
w. w. Senton,
Professor Henry of tho Smithsonian Institution.
VIM. Seldom late Treasurer Of the Urited States.
Rev. 9. N. Butler, Episcopal Church.
Rev. r. II. Gurley, Presbyterian Clnrch.
Rev. s. s. RozselI, Methodist Episcopal Church.
Rev. Mr.. Donelsn, Catholic Church..
I'd These genemep, tbreeof them, are hereby a
hozed to meet Mt the Smithsonian Institute on the second
Monday Of Decsmbe such hour they may apon
there proceed examine the various poems
which may been received and determine which Of
them mercrious and deserving Of the prize Anu
hereby bind myself to the sam aforemennoneo
to whoever they shall to ms the person VINO
written Within the time prescrbed the best Nanona
Poem ard their representation that he or sno an
rican citizen.
3D. All communications must be sent to mo at Washington
(pospad before the rst Monday in December next with
full complete conveyance the copyright to me and my
heirs and assigns forever.
as soon as practicable for the highest price, and
give the proceeds the poor Of the city OF Washington
h No poem will be subject 70 this prize which
shall not have been subsequent TO this date and
ceived before the first Monday in December next
\ R.w. LATHAM.
WASHINGTON Fee 10, 1853. feb 12-3t