New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-09

readers whose growing taste found so little sustenanee
at home he remained silent because he felt no hlneui
ate personal necessity Of poetic utterance Tue GeraT
poet INLAND said 10 me- Il cannot now say 81
shall write any more, because only write when ieeI
the positive need and this is independent OF my WILL or
the wish OF Others" Such was also tue ia" VI ST. "a
mind and the mind every poet who revfes ms "a
vine cft God cannot accept mechanical prayer ana
do not compare sacred things with pIOIane' Mnen
poem cannot be accepted which does NOT eS ba
its Inspired He is the true priest Oh ne
human heart and the human sonl VINO rhg tIuiT""S
eXpesse the emotions and the aspirations OF MS OWL
1t has been said OF Halleck as Of CanpDelI, thav n
was afraid OF the shadow which ms OWL iie MGR
fore him." protest against the use ol y ~ o
matte sentence To msinterpret the pOellc nature W
The inference Is That poets write merely IVr 'na a@ped
recognition which Is called fame anu hayng icb
certain degree, fear 10 lose il by later productions ~
such consideration, never deserved the name oh tS1
1t is unworthy estimate OF his character HIoH
explains the honest and honorable silence OF Flz
Halee The quality Of genius Is not TO be measured 10y
its productive activity The brain which gave us an an,
JacEet was not exhausted: 1t certainly capable OF
other and equally admirable achievements pus ' hy tbe
Poets will and Halleck endured her absence without
complaint as he had enjoyed her favors without 4seuS h
sincerity of his genius harmonizes with tne entire
character Of his life. It was enough Tor MN I' Srnr
let loose the Theban eagle III our s0ngiess A A
can ar He was glad r,e ana into and become
a part Of the national e-that
Sweet dim the eyes unshed,
And wild VOWS iaer on The tongue
when his lines keen and flexible fire. burn IN the ears
labor and love for " God aud their native land J!
his relative place among American poets 1t is sufficient
that he has his assured place, and that his name is a per
arent mart of literary history. 10 sSucient tha nc
deserves every honor which can render To MS eoly
not only Of the very first representatives OF Ae
can song but from his intrinsic quality as poet Leu us
rather be- thankful for every star set III our heaven ha
seek to ascertain hos they diner from one an9nt
of those whose lives have been frightened by tue poet
personal sunshine, let him remember that the sSS
criticism will set the lyrics of Hllleck hlghtI
than their authors nnanbltious estimate oce lnJ ~
our poetic annals HallecE is sti too our orbit for
the computation Of exact parallaXi but we may seS
leave his measure of fame 10 the decison OF lmpara
Time pOem which bears within itself its own rght 10
existence, Will not die. Its rhythm IL reshy leu rom
the eternal pulses Of Beauty, whence flows the sweetest
life OF the human Age CaunOt quCnCh us Ollsal
fire, or repetition make dun Its Immortal music ~ Iol-
ever haunts that purer atmosphere which oVerlrs me
dust and smoke Of petty aud our material IN
erests-ofen indeed calling Ia us like distant clarion
10 keep awake the sense OF lnteieGIhm uenEnt M men
would else perish from our lives Tie poetic literature
of land the finer and puTer ether above l5 @
vacant and barren for Us, except perehance, iceue
ark-nOte here aud there. Dana, Halleck ana bryant
rose tnretbpr on steadier wings, aud gave voices
IN the s0ltude-Dana with broad, grave under-tOhe,
tbe wind IN suamer woods and the fall of waters in
mountain dells; and Haleck with strains blown from
silver trumpet breathing manly fire and courage Many
voices have followed them; the ether rugs with new
melodies, and yet others shall come to lure all tue aspra
rated destiny but shall not forget the iOreruunes
who rose i'm ADVANCE OF their welcome and created their
own audience by their songs.
Thus il is that in dedicatnga monument TO FitZGreene
be American People They have at last taken that de.
parture which represents the higher development OF
natIOn-the capacity value the genius which cannot
work with material instruments; which is unmOved by
Atlantic Gables, Pacific Railroads, and any show of mar
Nelous statistical tables which grandly diSPen'es with
popular of success which SIMPLY expresses
itself, without consciously wording for tue delight OF
others-yet which, once recognized stands thencetorih
as part Of the glory of the whole people.
Ii token that we have relaxed the rough work two
and a half centuries, and are beginning 10 enjoy that
rest and leisure out Of which the and the beauty
Of civilization grow The pillars Of our political fabric
Dorc columns, but they still need tile GROWING capitals
aud the sculptuTed entabature. Law, and Right and
Physical Development build well but they are cold,
mathematical architeCts the Poet and the Artist make
pie, is to worship positive material achievement IN
whatever form it is displayed even tho Poet must be
istence. SO much of our Intellectual energy has been
led into the new paths which our national growth has
Opened-sO eXacting are the demands upon working
brains-that Taste, and refinement OF mind, and warm
m 81 ne erTe a r M Bga@y are only
flowers The light that never was or land"
vision it clarifies Yet the faculty here the
need The delight in Art Of which Poetry the highest
manifestations has ceased 10 DC tne privilege OF IOru
nate few, and viii soon become. let US hope the com
mon heritage Of the people. any true song has hereto
fore been sung 10 uhletuhg ears let US DeOd III lhls
dedication the sign that our reproach is taken away
that, henceforth every new melody OF inc land shall
spread in still expanding vibrations until all shall learn
The life Of the Poet who sleeps represents the long
period OF transition between the appearance OF American
Poetry and the creation OF appreciatve and sympa
that In beginning he content with the few who
heard him; that the agitatons OF national life through
of his song; aud that with q serene equanlmity
Of temper which is the rarest American
tue, no saw during his whole life, wealth aud
personal distinction constantly passing into less
All popular superstitlOns concerning the msallthrUpy
the irritable temper OF Genius disprOved In MIN:
have never known man so Independent OF the moods
and passions OF his generation We regret that
he shOud have beer chosen assist In the hard pioneer
work of literature because ne seemed 10 be
conscious Of Its pryaOns. Yet he and ms cOmates have
walked rough and for the most part lonely track,
leaving smoother way broken for their followers They
have blazed their trails through the wilderness, and
carved their sounding names the silent mountain
peaks teaching the scenery Of our homes language,
atmosphere OF great historic deeds. FzGreene Haeck
set his seal upon the gray rocks Of Connecticut on
Oming, aud The Field Of the Grounded Arms. He has
done manly share forcing tins hafsubdued Nature
In which we live TO accept human harmony, aud cover
its sOulless beauty with the mantle OF his verse.
However field Of poetic literature may bloom,
whatever products or ripper culture may rise TO
shadow It's present growths the memory Of Haeck per-
ennialY rooted at It's entrance Recognizing the purity
aud aectOnately dedicate tohin tins monument There
cypress In tue wreath which lay his
or an insufficient destiny We have no wif defiance OF
the world excuse, sensitive protest 10 Justify Our
hymn conservation IL cheerful though solemn Looking
forwards from this haOwed ground, only behold
Future for Poetry, SUMMER than its Past We
recognition Of an immortal ideal element gradually
evolved from the strength OF natures which have con-
quered material forceshe growth OF all hue and gracious
attributes on Inauguration ana fancy, 10 warm ana
sweeten and expand the stately GOODNESS OF intellect We
VI Ihy lhougnt shau De met WIN gFdteIul Wei
come, not with dull anazement mean suspicion. We
Stay here at the level OF delight In you !'-but
which shall cry 20 him Higher still higher though
may not reach you, yet In following shall rise I"
And our last prophetic hope weOok FOR that fortunate
age when the circle OF sympathy now so limited shall
be cOeXtensive with the nation and when, the
Poet loves his Land, his Land shall love her Poet
hymn was sung, and then the ceremonies came to q
close the poet left to the sunny silence OF the
green field where he lies.