Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1853-04-19
Five Hundred Dollars Reward.

IMPRESSED as am with the controlling influence
Il which Is exercised by the fine upon the dircc-
ton and destiny of human affairs it has given me inf
mite pleasure to witness the bOuntifl in which
from time to timc painting and satuary has been
Courag and rewarded by the councils the tiv,
But while the nCknowled nent is DUO to the discern
ing and worthy patrons OF the noble arts equal
source of humiliation and behold the appa-
rent apathy and indifference with which they seem to
regard the nconparably more valuable creations Of
poetry.
TO them nlorn the walls of the Capitol with the
glowing revelations OF the pencil, and decorate the
public grounds with the costly DGUvREs of the
cliscl, ~ an omen of good which will b. hailed and
apPiaudcd by al! as cheering pledge of the progress
of refinement. But, whilst they lavish their ttrss nds
upon these ilnmobile products of canvass and marble
and bronze, they offer reward for the more
more enduring and renowned ovations of the pen
no fostering Hnd from these high places has yet
invited the Promeheun fire of poetry to animate the
history OF our country, which with all it's harmony of
humble vault of Mount Vernon ready to spring into
life and beauty at the first kindlng touch ofths genial
inspiration.
1t surely work of supcrerogaton to introduce
the proofs that crowd the records of the past to show
how far above all others stands the divin art' of po
sy What all the paintings statues and rcg1la of
Versailles OF Fontainblcau the Tui!crics, compared
ply of gold and gems hcaped I'D in the Tower of Lon
don; what the collections of the ROYAL Academy or
even the time hallowed shrnes of Westminster Abbey
when compared with the songs of Burns, and Dibdcn
and Campbell? Or what has the world that VIC would
take in exchange for "IIa Columbia and the ''Star
SPangled l5anuer:" Well might the British states
man cxclam, ''Let me but write the ballads of ma
ton, and care not who makes its laws"
nsGnslte marble that IS made to represent him far
as the radiant skies of above the pcrisha-
cIa 80 ~ winch 'c painter ms transferred their
ecoe so far Is poetry above all other
that have their mission to console and elevate and in
sPire the immortal mind Of man.
In view of these facts, and considering the lnmenta
bic Paucy of patriotic songs in my uishcd and
beloved country, and with the hope of being the hum
this interesting subject, have been induced 70 offer,
and do hereby offer the sum of five hundred dollars
a prize for the best National Poem, Ode or Epic.
Inc rules Which the of
follows
LIST have selected (vvithout consulting thern> the
following persons to act judges arbiters Of the
prize thus offered, namely:
The President of the United States
Hon. a: o: p. Nicholson, of Tennessee.
Hon Charles Sumner, U. S. Senate
Hon. r. NJ. T. Hunter, ditto
Hon. James G. Jones, ditto. .-r.-a
Hon J. r: Chandler, of U. S. H. of Reps.
Hon Addison White, do. do
Hon Hon Thomas T u H Bayly, do. do.
Hon John p Kennedy, Secretary eco; Of aG the Navy
Dr. John w. c. Evans, Of New Jersey.
Dr. Thomas Saunders. --
Geo! r. Armstrong :, a.
DIR. G. Bailey, COI uie FFeSs.
w. w. Seaton,
Prot. Henry, of the smithsonian Institution.
VIM. SeIden, late Treasurer of the u States.
Rev C. M Butler, Episcopal Church.
Rev. S. S. Rozsell, NJ. E. Church.
Rev. Mr.. Donelan, Catholic Church.
Cd These gentlemen, any three of them arc here
by authorized to meet at the Smithsonian Institute on
he "a louy Oh december next, at such hour thew
may appoint, and there proceed to read and examine
the various poems which may have been received and
70 determine winch Is the most mertOriOus and de-
serving OF the prize And hereby bind myself to paw
the sum aforementioned forthwith, to whoever thew
shall present TO me as the person who has written
within the time prescribed the best national patriotic
poem and upon their representation that he or she Is
an American citizen.
Sd. All communications must be sent to me at
Washington, Cpost- paid before the first Monday in
December next, with fun and complete conveyance
ever.
4th. hereby bind and obligate myself to sell the
highest price, and to give the proceeds to the poor of
the city of Washington. r.
prize which shall not have been written stseent 10
this date, and received before the first Monday in De
cenber next r. w LATHAM