The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-22


eminent, without surrounding hei with aamssoss e1
spring, all OF them making mouths 81 tssT munsss eAt
not imagine lLaughlerl Bat a seems IA. feNsss ~
done IT. We are 10 take q On uusi and ths sthahF
from Louisiana cannot believe that ouEhi lof so
ment TO question the works ol grnas o. ttai 80 lgA
ers would tender 10 America anyihinx unwpltaY o ~
Sir, we have taken some female hgutes on tfus lhffF
is beautiful specimen the ea-i polueo Of tbis as
toll and II that does not represent ifeedoH a. much a.
any female figure could, | am mistaken Thee = eoi
senator, and scarcely decent person who cones sF2~
the Capitol who would not wish 10 see that hkus Slow
away with gunpowder, or taken ou, Of sEm = soNs
other way. Even the distinguished senator tfom oPs'h
Carolina Mr., BUTLER at one tine unrfed ttsaiait1i
In which most sincerely sympa,hised 20 have he sial
ne removed from lis present position. u = dsgtses v
the country | believe that have heard lhsi islseo
was OF genius, but yet one oi his IDEAS "
the specimen TO which have alluded on ouf easiefu
porlico-one that has almost driven the decent people 81
the United States from walking OF promsnading apoa
that porco do not believe in buying any mote te
male figures on trust
| Mr. CHASE. / would ask my friend from Wisconsin
he ever saw work OF Powers which did not command
Mr.. WALKER. | have never seen many Of MS
| works. have seen The Creek Slave, and admired y
very much bot should not like 10 that anythlag
like il placed on the porco of the Capitol | could not
and would not | could detact from the great merit
or the distinguished fame OF Mr.. Powers That Is not
my object. | believe him TO be capable OF the highest
achievements in art but we 10 take him on rust
Are we 10 have figure, group. an dealy an alegoy
bough TO the United Sates and placed m the Capitol or
the Capitol grounds, when may not, alter Il shal
have been pu, there, app owe OF III | hope not
only say 10 Mr. Powers and 10 his friends, let us SEE
your work. let us decide upon II let COMMITTEES decide
upon II, and then, perhaps, we will purchase A. Bot
while two committees have recommended this appropa
ton, can any member OF either Of these committees
say that he has ever seen The staue II was not said
by the senator from Ohio that the distinguished gentle
men whose he read ever claimed 10 have seen IL
They doubtless did it, or they would not have spoken
OF 1t SO positively but he DID not communicate TO " the
TACT whether they had seen II or not IL may be that they
have taken the works OF genius on trust am not dis
posed 10 coubt them. though do not fully agree with
the honorable senator from Louisiana on that point, Bu
really while such are The IDEAS oil the honorable sena-
Tor from Louisiana, cannot all be unanimous IN those
views For one, should like to have my tase consult
ed in regard 10 these female figures representing America
Tree and popnous government, as well as that oil the
honorable senator from louisiana; and hope we shall
not make this purchase until see the statue.
Mr.. COOPER. ! do not rise for the purpose OF con-
tinung this debate at length, but 10 say that there is
spurious as well as genuine genius; and that works OF
this kind ought no, TO be taken trust any than
others. remember, few years ago. TO have heard that
Mr. GTeenough possessed most towering genius; and
under this belief Congress was induced take work OF
his trust, and you have the resu, in the purchase OF
the which stands in the grounds east of the Capt.
lol. | have admitted that MIR Powers possesses very
high talent scnp ptor, in one direction. In point Of
mechanical execution OF his statues he has no superior
perhaps in the world but have yet TO learn that he has
executed any group, that be is the author OF any great
conception, calculated 10 give him that kind Of fame
which entities his talents to be designated BY the higher
appeation OF genius. Sir, know that we are all IN the
habit oil speaking OF the Greek Slave as great work of
genius; but il IS not 30 regarded in the world OF art
Strike from ii the chain which binds the limbs, and II
will stand forth Venus, as perfect, in the estimation OF
those connoisseurs who have denomnated II great pro-
ducon Of genius, as il did before weeping Grecian
slave.
Sir, | do not wish to do injustice TO any American
artist In the execution OF busts, in the execution OF
single statues, have doubt Mr. Powers has supe
ro; but, before group OF the purely ideal kind is
pot upon Congress al the expense OF large outlay we
ought 10 see it, should not for the outlay, II IL
calculated TO elevate the standard OF American ge.
MUS but am afraid ii will degrade IT, as the specimens
/ lyn w DIp hay AN laDtOl al m
den that this artist has talents TO execute, cfedtably,
such conception the il is proposed shall pur
chase. II do intend 10 purchase, and purchase
trust bad better go 10 those who have already shown
BY what they have done what they capable Of doing
refer TO such men Crawford and Ives and others
now abroad who have given earnest OF genius so de-
cded 10 elevate their country IN the estimation OF the
world.
Mr. MALLORY Mr.. President, the proposition 10
purchase this beautiful work OF genius and o involves
considerations which appeal to hearts earnestly
considerations apart from its intrinsic value that the
pendnure contemplated by the resolution indeed TO
be pitlul. An Amecan--an ardent enthusiastic Amer-
can-awakened by ihe magic whispering OF genius to a
consciousness OF merit, sought 10 tread the thorny paths
to fame which the time honored names OF others had
pointed out Finding not only absence OF all encour-
agement, but the chilling blight OF cold indifference his
own country, he sought foreign land, and there esab
llshed reputation OF which bis country may well be
proud though has reached her through the medium oil
| foreign critics alone
OF this parlicslar statue we have numerous criticisms
from very reliable authorities and TO such authorities
VIC ever uPon hucu suUJeelsi oul oNh Jug
ments.
! NV honorable friend from Pennsylvania says very
correctly that 10 form correct judgment upon such sub
lecs refer 10 the world OF and the opinions
OF artists aud do not suppose there is statue in the
United States OF any merit views OF which have not
been formed from the cTiques OF artists. There but
few in public life in our country who have the
leisure and the opportunity II they have the taste, 10
study address Their minds to the merits and value OF
such productions OF genius and hardly think there
many senator's here competent to-decde upon their
merits.
have seen and heard many and highly faering cri-
ques upon Powerss statue and the testimony OF some Of
the most gie sons OF genius OF ourown and-the Ev-
erels, Longiellows, and lvings, of Amerca-has been
produced here tonight in its favor. ! want no better
guide ior my vote; and II did, might appeal TO bis
beautiful Eve and his Greek Slave, although criticised
by my honorable friend from Pennsylvania as guar
antee that his great work, which he so ardenly desires
his country TO possess, cannot be unworthy our admTa
ton Obedent the dictates OF his uDerrng genius and
the impulses OF heart which has wavered from
his native land, he sought to produce work which
that land might value Are there here who would,
in consideration OF this pauy sum OF money, hesitate
about adopting his beautiful America as our own The
appeal has been made to us; and, Tor am free
say that unwilling by dissenting vote to announce
TO the wotld from this high place that we not only re-
u-ed to American genius, that we permit
ted him his road TO fame unaded IN foreign
land but refused receive work upon whrh his art
has been emnenty displayed though that work is
typical OF the progress and destiny OF our country.
n Objection has been raised here that IT IL alegorca
All similar works must necessarily be so, and they de-
mand The very highest order OF genius Let us unhesi-
tsngiy appropriate this sum of money. II is work OF
which we shall all be pronda work which is TO last Tor
ages and the value of which, depend upon IT. will IN
crease with every succeeding year The sum proposed
insigni6ean and II it were greater would vote Tor u