Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-03-05
TERMS OF ADVERTISING.
For seven lines or less. For fourteen lines or le
ENCOURAGEMENT TO AMERICAN POETIC
TALENT!
$500 PREMIUM.

$500 PRE- MUM.
IMPRESS ED as am with the controlling influence
which Is exercised by tie fine upon the drec-
ton and destiny OF human affairs 1t has given in
finite pleasure tn wit less the bountiful manner in
which, from time to time, painting and statua, have
been encouraged and rewarded by Councils of the
Nation.
But while this acknowledgment is due to the dis
cernng and worthy patrons OF these noble arts, it is
al equal of hmi iation and sorrow to behold
s apparent apathy and inditferen; with which they
t. regard the lncOmparably more valuable
atoms of poetry.
10 see them adorn the walls Of tbe Capitol with the
glowing revelations of the pencil and decorate the
public grounds with the costly chef deuyres of the
chise, is Oneu of good which will be hailed and
app.auded by all cheering pledge of the progress
OF refinement But, whilst they lavish their thous-
autlS upon these immobile products of canvass and
marble and bronze they offer reward for the more
exalted, more enduring and renowned OvatiOns Of he
ben. No fostering hand from these high places has
yet invited the l'romethan fire of poetry ami
the history of country, which, with all its
harmony of form and onder OF proportion lies asleep
around the humble vault OF Mount Vernon, ready to
spring into life and beauty at the first kndng touch
Of this snial inspiration.
1t surely a work of supererogation to introduce
the proofs that crowd the records OF the past to show
how far above all other stands the divine art of
POesy What all the paintings, statues, and rega-
a of Versailles of Fontainbeau. and the Tuileries
compared with the :. MarseiiIes Hymn ?" What the
Sing,y panOply of gold and gems heaped up in the
Tower of LondOn what the cOllec ions of the Royal
Academy, the time hallowed shrines of West
minister Abbey, when compared with the songs of
Burns, and Dibden, and Campbell? Or what has the
world that would take in exchange for Hail Co.
lumbia' aud the ''Star-Spangled Bannsr?" Well
might the British statesman exclaim, 'et but
write the ballads of Il nation, and l care not who
makes its laws"
As far the living, breathing is above the cold
Insensate marble that is made to represent him
far the skies of above the per-
Shable canvass to which the painter has transferred
their feeble resemblance far is poetry above all
other arts that have their mission to console and ele
Vate and inspire the immortal mind of man.
In view OF these facts, and considering the lament
able paucity of patriotic songs in my distinguished
and beloved country and with the hope of being the
humble means Of proper public feeling upon this in
terpstng subject, have been induced to offer, and
10 hereby offer, the sum of five hundred dollars
prize for the best National Poem Ode, or Epic.
The rules which will govern the payment of this
sum ale as follows:
lst have selected (without consulting them) the
following persons to act as judges arbters Of the
lrlze thus offered, namely:
The Presideat of the United States.
Hon. a .. p. Nicholson. of Tennessee.
lion Chas. Sumner, of U. s. Senate.
Hon. K VI. T. Hunter, do
Hon. Jas g. Jones, do
HON. Chandler, of S. House Representatives.
Hon. ThOs III Bayly, do do
Hon: John P. Kennedy, Secretary of the Navy.
Ut. john ". c. Evans, of New Jersey.
Ct Ct: ;;:;'a 5;sS s2:S:: z!$.ro"s of tn. Press.
". W Seaton
Professor Henry, of the smithsonian Institution.
nm Selden, late Treasurer of the United States.
heE. T. VI Butler Episcopal Church
he' L. K. Gurley, Presbyterian Church.
heT SS. Roszell, Methodist EpisdOpal Church.
new Mr. Donean, Catholic Church.
Il Tkese gentlemen, or any three Of them, are
-Troy authorized to meet at the Smithsonian Inst
e'on the second Monday of December next, at such
4f as they may app' int, and there proceed to read
a4' examine the various poems which may have
III received and to determine which of them is
-"St meritorious and deserving Of the prize. And
-s'toy bind myself to Pay the sum aforementioned
-fhWith, tn whoever tn y shalt present to me the
'~n who has written within the time prescribed the
National Patriotic POEM and upon the represen-
""lon tnat he she is American citizen.
u All communications must be sent to me at
7%hingOn ,post-pad) before the first Monday in De-
e'lter next. with full and complete conveyance of
&e Dpyright to and my heirs and assigns for
e5ar
iih, hereby bind and obligate myself to sell the
pens thus sent to me soon practicable, for the
hest price, aud to give the proceeds to the poor of
"e qty Of Washington.
i 9a. No poem will be considered as subject to this
i-ls which shall not have been written subsequent
y aS date and received before the first Monday in
Dt,e1t-r next. R. W. LATHAM.
81 nNHIN;TON, FEB. 10, 1858. febl7-