Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-02-19
ENCOURAGEMENT TO AMERICAN POET.
&c TALENT!
ASOO PR E MINI

$500 PREMIUM,
IMPRESSED AZ / am with the controlling influence
which il ext rciseu by tie fine arts uuon h rec-
ton destiny of human Affairs, ihas given M in.
finite pleasure 70 WITT ess the boun i:ul manner in
which, from time time, painting statua. have
been encouraged and rewarded by tic Coun,is Of the
Nation.
But, while this acknowledgment is due to the dis.
earning and worthy patrons OF tn. noble arts. it is
equal of humi iatiou and sorrow to eho,d
tho apparent apathy AMI indhtren with which they
seem to regard the iucompsi ably valuable cre-
at, Ons of poetry.
10 see them adorn the walls cf the Capitol with tho
glowing revelations Of the pencil and Il, 90 ute the
public grounds with the costly chef duvres of the
chisel, is omen of good whi b will bs hailed aud
applauded by all as Cheering pledge Of the progress
OF refinement But, whist they lavish their thous-
ands upon these mmol lie p. oducts Of canv .ss ard
marble and bronze, they offer ward for The more
exalted, more enduring AID renowned ovations # he
pen. No fostering hand from these high places has
yet invi ed tie Promethan fire of poetry to ami
h-rmony OF form and onder Of roporii lips asleep
around the humble vault OF Mount Vernon ready 10
spring into life and beauty ut the st kidding touca
Of this NAL inspiration.
1t sure, were work of supererogaioa to introduces
the proofs that crow the records o. the past to show
how tar above all other stands the d iue art Of
poeSy What are all the paintings, statues and repa
lila of Versailles. of Fontainbleau. and the Tuer g.
compare wi; the IS Marsei.Ies Hymn Z" " hat the
kisgy plnoply Of gold and gems heaped up in tho
Tower of London what the eollec ions of the Koyxl
Academy, or even the time halowed shrnes Of est
IN nst;r Abbey, when compared with the songs Of
Burns, and Dibden, and Campbell! Or what hns the
world that We would take exchange for Hail Co
| lumbiS' and the ''Star-Spsng,sd Bann4ri" Well
might the British statesman exclaim ..let me but
write tho ballads Of y nation, aud 1 care not who
makes it, laws"
As FAR as the living breathing is above the cold
lnsensate marble that is made t. represent him; "A
1ir as the IA liant skies of above the per
lshable Canvass TO which the PAL Las nsferred
their feeble resemblance, SO far is poetry above all
rfQ At hRU
vate and inspire the immor tai mind o: mau
In vie" OF these facts, and ,onsdering the lament
able paucity OF patriotic songs in my distinguished
and beloved country, and with II hope of being the
humble means Of proper pubic e ng upon this in
tore ting SUBJECT have cen induced offer, aud
do hereby TT r, tie sum of five Eund, ed dollars 40
prize tor the best Nat.o ,al Pom. tide, OF Epic
The rules which will govern the payment Of this
sum a.e al follows:
LIST. have selected wi; hout coasu' ting then) the
following Ier:ons to act NJ judges ar4ters If the
! prize thus offered namely:
The Preside of the United States
hon. A o. Z. Nicholson of Tenness Q.
Hon Chas. Sumner, of U. S. senxts
Hon. X NJ. L. Hunter, do
Hon. Jas y. Jones, d.
lion J Chandler, of u House Representatives.
lion. Addison =, hit, do 90
Hon. Thos i, l! B.sly, do do
Hon. John z. Kennedy Secretary of tho Navy.
Dr. John W. q. Evans, Of New Jersey.
DIR. Thos Saunders.
Joseph Gales,
ten. K. Armstrong,
Dr.G Bailey, "a VIC hfeAS'
w. W. Sea.on.
Professor Henry, ofthe Sui:hsoEiln Institution
VIM Selden late Treasurer Of the United States
Rev. e. NJ. Butter, Episcopal Church.
Rev Il *. Cure Presbyterian Church.
Rev. :. = Roszell. Melhoui t f, isiopal Chu; ch
Rev. Mr.. DOnean, Catholic Church.
ID These gentl men, nr any three # them. are
hereby autho lied to meet ut he Smi. hsonian Ins,
tute the econd Monday Of December next ut such
hour rs they may app, int, aud tle1e t, read
ami examine IKE various pc. ma which may have
been received, and TO determine which Of them il
most mertol ious and deserving of the prizs. And
hereby bind myself to Fay the aforementioned
for hwith, VIII ever they shal, present to the
per on who has written within the time prescribed tho
est National Patriotic Poem, and upon tho iepre.en-
tation tnat he or she is an American citizen.
Sd. All communications must lie se.:t to me 1T
Wa. arlington .Fostpaid before frat Monday in De.
cember next, with full and complete conveyance of
| the copyright to me AID my heirs and assigns for
ever
4th. hereby bind and obigate myself to sell the
poems tn Is SENT to practicable, The
highest Price, and to give the pro eeds the loor OF
| the city of Wsshi gtou.
5tb. No poem be consi Tered Is subject to this
Ir3e which sh Ill not have been written ubeeque
to this date and received teforc The r.t Mond y in
| De'emb r neat. L. v. LATHAM.
| WASHINGTON, FEB TO- 1853. f.hl7-