The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-03-03

Hiram Powers.

A correspondent of the New Orleans Delta
protesting to write from Europe, assails
Hiram Powers, the distinguished sculptor, in
the most bitter manner, denouncing his
claims as an artist of genius, and accusing
him of the deepest ingratitude towards has
old friends and enefectors-Southern gen.
tlemen like Gen. Jackson, John c. Calhoun,
Mr.. McDufie, Mr.. Preston and Others The
Delta take occasion TO fully endorse the re-
marks made by its correspondent, and adds
''Powers is not by many the first charlatan
who has played upon our national feelings
and preindices-for his own enrichment
How successfully he has done this-how he
has passed off copies for originals, counter
felt for genuine-how artistically he has
child of genius, while heaping up splendid
fortune; what skillful tricks and impostures
he has employed to humbng and deceive
eredulous, generous, sympathizing people
and Government; and how ungratefully he
has repaid all their favors-will be found
graphically portrayed in the letter which
has recently reached MS from Europe" s
The Delta speaks of the Legislature of
Louisiana ordering from him statse of
Washington. for the very large sum of $l0,-
600; of how Mr.. Robb, in order to patro-
nize poor, struggling child of genius, Or
dered, at great expense, copy of the Greek
Slave of how the city of Charleston gave
him commission of S5, 900 for Mr.. Cal
houn's statue ; of how the Masonic frater-
nifty of Virginia commissioned statue of
Washington for $1,000, and advanced a
portion of the money many years ago and
| finally the Delta reminds its readers of the
powerful appeals" made in defence of
Mr. Powers by that paper, when difficulty
arose as to the ownership of the Greek
Slave, and when his character was strongly
assailed by his enemies. --.s.-.,-..
All this change in their opinion as to the
merits of Hiram Powers, is brought about
| by ga Southern gentleman happening to
call on the artist in Florence, when the lat
ter, in a conversation with his countryman,
was frank enough to express an unfavorable
opinion of the institution of slavery, and
| its further extension. For this otfense, the
Southern gentleman characterizes Mr..
! Powers as sectional and fanatical man,
insensible to all the obligations that national
brotherhood and patriotism impose
| inht tn npin
ion, and right to express it on all proper
occasions but that q Southern gentleman"
at this late period in the history of Powers
fame, should all at once discover that he has
no claims to distinction as an artist-that
he is only bust-maker-a simple copy
ist," &c.-is simply ridiculous. The cause
of the correspondents hostility towards Mr..
Powers is too apparent, even if he did not
confess it, and proves him to be fool and
a bigot. One would think that a reputation
of twenty years, during which time the ap-
showered upon the great sculptor, in ac-
acknowledgement of his genius, and as a tribute
to his unrivalled creations would be suffi-
cient to cause the 90 Southern gentleman" TO
hesitate before commencing such an assault,
merely on account of aditference in political
sentiments. From the general tone of the
letter, we should judge the writer to be some
stone cutter, jealous of Mr.. Powers, and
who takes this very contemplate method to
iujure and defame his character.