Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1853-05-31
Five Hundred Dollars Reward.

IMPRESSED rs am with the controlling influence
4 which is exercised by the fine upon the dircc
ton and destiny of human affairs ii has given me inf
mite pleasure to witness the bountul manner in which,
from time TO time, painting and stauary has been
cOuragcd and rewarded by the councils of the nation
But while the acknowledgements IS due the discern
ing and worthy patrons Of the noble arts, is equal
source OF humiliation and sorrow to behold the appa-
rent apathy and indifference with which they seem to
regard the incomParaby more valuable creations of
poetry
glowing revelations of the pencil, aud decorate the
chlScl, IS an omen OF good which will be hailed and
applaudcd by all cheering pledge of the progress
OF refinement. But, whilst they lavish their thousands
upon these nmobllc products of canvass and marble,
and bronco they offer reward for the exalted,
more enduring and renowned ovatons of the pcn.-
No fostering hand from these high places has vet
invited the Promcthean fire of poetry animate the
history of our country, which with all its harmony
form and wonder of proportion, lies asleep around the
humble vault of Mount Vernon ready to spring into
life and beauty at the first kindng touch genial
inspiration
1t surely work of supcrcrogation to introduce
the proofs that crowd the records OF the past show
now lar above al! others stands the ''divnc art of poe
sy What all the paintings, statues, and rcgalia of
Versailles, of Fontanb!cau, s the Tuilerics compared
with the " Niarselllcs Hymn!' What the kingly pano-
ply of gold and gems hcapcd up i'll the Tower of Lon
don; what the collections of the Royal Academy, or
even tho time hallowcd shrincs of Westminster Abbey,
when compared with the songs of Burns and Dibdcn,
and Campbell? Or what has the world that would
take exchange for ''Iai Columbia and the EEStar-
Span%lcd Banncr:' Well might the British states
man exclaim, "Iet me but write the ballads of a
ton, and care not who makes its laws
As far as the living breathing is above the cold,
inscnsac marble that is made to represent him; far
the radiant skies of above the pcrisha-
bic canvass which the painter has transferred their
feeble so far is poetry above all other arts
that have their mission console and elevate and in
spire the immortal mind of man.
In view of these facts, and considering the lamenta-
bic Paucity of patriotic songs in my distinguished and
beloved country, and with the hope of being the hum
this interesting subject, have been induced to offer,
and do hereby offer, the of five hundred dollars
prize for the best National Poem, Ode or Epic.
The rules which will govern the payment OF this
LIST. have selected (wthout consulting them) the
following persons to act judges arbitcrs of the
prize thus offered, namely:
The President of the United States
Hon. Charles Sumner, U. S. Senate.
Hon. r. NJ T. Hunter, ditto.
Hon. James &. Jones, ditto.
Hon Hon: J. id r. chaT yR; of u S IL of Reps
Hon. Thomas O., Us H. Bayly, do. do.
Hon John p. Kennedy, Secretary of the Navy.
Dr. John w. c. Evans, of New Jersey.
DIR. Thomas Saunders
Joseph Gales,
Geo. r. Armstrong,
DR.. G.. Bailey, OF inc frcss'
Prof Henry, of the Smithsonian Institution.
VIM Scidcn, late Treasurer of the u States.
Rev' G. NJ n Butler ButIer, Episcopal Church
Rev. S. s. RozsclI, NJ E Church.
Rev: Mr.. Donclnn, Catholic Church.
3D. These gentlemen any three of them, arc here
by authorized to meet at the Smithsonian Institute,
the I'd Monday of December such hour they
may appoint and there proceed to read and examine
the various poems which may have been received, and
to determine which is the most mcrorous and de-
serving Of the prize And hereby bind nyselfto pay
the sum aforementioned forthwith, to whoever they
shall present to me the person who has written
within the time prescribed the best national patriotic
an American citizen.
So All COMMUNICATIONS must tc sent to me at
Washington, (Post paid before tho first Monday in
December next, with full and complete conveyance
of the copyright to and my heirs and assigns for
4th. hereby bind and obligatc myself to sell the
poems thus sent to Ia practicable for Tho.
the city of Washington.
5th No poem will be considered as subject to this
prize which shall not have been written subsequent to
this date, and received before the first Monday in Dc
ccmbcr Il. w. LATHAM
Washington, Feb o. IS53-tf: