The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-05

many hy men have ,oed in the laboratories OF
science and wrought discoveries that have secured
the gratitude of all alter generations Tins antagonsm
has BEEN and not now, exeled Dy Tue People hey
have long since learned have faith in tue power OF
mnd-to regard lis exertions with avoring complacency
and anticipate proposed achievements with undoubt-
ing confidence in those who have laid the charge OF this
upon the people will be found lis Let US endeavor
TO illustrate The position by an example:
When Dr.. Rush had completed ms great work on The
human voice. he offered il 10 distinguished bookseller
for gu blieaiion. He declined 10 publish H. giving his
objection that II not suited to The country After al
delay OF several years. DR.. Rush published The work al
his own expense, and in the preface TO the third edition
made the following remarks: vi know well that the
higher views OF science and taste, and all originality 10
Individual Gas being the minimum OF minority where
nothing is undertaken but through numbers and linked
opnons considered as contrary 10 the popular spirit
OF our institutions Yet upon thus very belief offered that
work 10 The public, hoping by Tire dinasion OF ITS prne-
Plies in due sut The country 10 u and thus, IN
stead OF being present onfull but precaIous
wages endeavor be the unpaid server of enlght-
ened and grateful iutury."
The result of the publication showed that the country
suited TO IT, and waiting Tor lis appearance. II illus
traed OF thousand instances wherein time serving
publishers have permitted their OF the great merits
of works 10 be outweghed by considerations OF present
profit, based low and false estimate oil popular M
iegence Ii also illustrates the essential motive OF all
men who, By position and reputation OF judgment, have
the power promote discourage this class OF intel
leclual claims, and who have chosen TO discourage.
But we know the time is past when such claims may
be put OF with the freezing iteiy q Inc oia senelns
is hundred years in advance oil the age y we nave
experience and intelligence enough 10 recognise m such
men as have been Knocked with this atcng verdict the
of all the valuable discoveries and Developments
in the sciences and arls which are now contributing so
largely the interests and enjoyments OF mankind ana
TO know that without those minds 10 advance OF the ages
the ages could never advance and are taught by
these experiences that the glory oil nations consists 80
largely in their that they cannot auord 70 dis
pense with their exerions. If the time has come Tor Inc
beginning of more consistent Harmonious and expires
sive national art--if the national aainments and SEN
tments have reached the maturity requiring ithen Inc
national artists who may be supposed to have participated
in the general development win feel disposed to exercise
the privilege common TO all citizens, OF suggesting how
the national sentiments should be imbodied Hitherto,
go far as scuIpural illustration has been attempted,
has been done by foreigners, with or two exceptions
With what need not be Indicated Alter time,
it will be that 10 illustrate the national history the
mind of men born and educated in the nation will better
succeed. -
We have number OF sculp,ors of The highest ability,
who have been for years modesty asking PERMISSION to
do something for the naoD and only one has been per-
mitted TO strike the chise Some OF them have per.
formed works of national character, hoping they VIII
be adopted and ordered by the government Now and
then friend oil ait will appeal TO The govern
ment in behalf of such works, and the people every
where feel thrill OF approving sympathy with The
writers; but, sadly enough Tor the artists, responses
come not from the acting power. Meanwhile time wears
and hope wanes and they become Aliens through necessity,
and almost forget try TO forget, their native homes
while the patriotic fire that Illuminated their hopes,
and power illustrate It's gores, fades and dies and
they have last console themselves with the abstract
pleasures of Art in foreign lands. And until better
direction Of thought is taken, worse depression sun
weighs down the hopes and prospects OF arss VINO re.
main in their own country. When they have TO respond
in the negative TO The inquiry il they have studied IN
in Europe the countenance OF the inquirer falls lie
supposes nothing good come out OF any but oegn
school while iron those who perfect themselves there,
nothing is received So practically, the foreign schools
places to exile those who aspire TO the national ser
| vice in Art
Not only has the time arrived for national works 10
be dono but for Offering welcome home TO The exIied
workmen. They must or later seek that well
come and find for such OF them feel strongly the
na,onal sentiment, and have prepared 10 illustrate II,
will deem just necessary to make opportunities Tor
exerllon in that way that the national genius IN me.
chancs will look in the direction OF the capital while
celebrating their Inventions those endowed with ca
pacy for craftsmanship will seek opportunity Tor It's exer.
| ton. And when contemplate The sculptures IN the
Capitol, the smaness OF their number The poor attempts
they TO express The ideas which should be limbo
died in the central national house-he want they mani
fest OF elevated conceptions OF the basis OF our national
existence and glory when consider the almost en-
tire absence OF national monuments al the seat oil gov
eminent, the wonder is that they have not long since
been invited to begin The vast labor OF gratitude and de-
yoion demanded OF the age.
The Capitol is being extended to more than twice ne
original sze and alterations are TO be made IN the old
structure. Doubtless architectural arrangements will be
made throughout the whole edhce that will appropriately
receive many OF the works in painting and sculpture
which are 10 answer this demand. But there will be
| scarcely room for them within its walls
In the ample spaces OF the public grounds, so admra-
bly, designed for their reception by the lamented Down
must stand the temples oil lame, and innumerable
works in illustrative marble and monumental bronze.
In audlng 10 the fragmentary sculptures 10 The Capt.
toll il Is unnecessary 10 speak OF their apparent dehclen
ces their exprsssionof what IS required IN their
place.
Some Of them well enough conceived 10 illustrate
The incidents intended. and il artistically treated
would deserve place 10 galleries OF art or 10 isolated
places in the Caplto but they not significant OF
The comprehensive history and spirit OF the nation they
should not occupy the conspicuous places they do IN the
Capitol. Taken together, that series OF Indian groups
in the Roiunto are notifying satire on our humanity.
Passing 10 The eastern porch OF The Capitol we Ind
Mars and Nenusthe latter bearing the olive branch
TO admit Of the new name given that antique pair OF
"War and Peace" These figures, though respectable
nation. All nations, 1t ~ true, entertain the attributes
OF war and peace; but left to ITSELF American genius
would not thus imboJy them. II the statue OF General
Washington bad been placed in OF those nicbes and
Chief Justice Marshall IN the other, the nation would
| have deemed them more appropriately filled
CHANGING at The group on the eastern pedimenl OF the
Capitol, where should be sculPured the great sgne OF
the nation, in which should be peson6ed the best sp,
and purposes oil IFS life, Ind sculptured aegoreal
representations OF Justice and Commerce conendng for
the patronage OF Liberty.
II is said that this group has another meaning but il
is imitation OF the group which occupied the
eastern pedlment of the temple OF Minerva al Athens,
representing Neptune and Minerva conending for the
patronage OF Athens.
few months since there placed for exhibition in
the library Of Congress lndcrous monumental desgn,
supposed 10 be the work OF artist OF Naples s pu.
pose stated 10 be 10 illustrate the discovery Of the cOun
try by Columbus-lhat 1t s 10 be erected in this city, IL
the artist can be commissioned 10 do il.
The estimates OF this work-purpoTtng 10 have been
Ar-indcate that the figures will be larger than Perscos
Columbus, and will be made for isys pTce--a very