The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-21
POETRY AT THE WORLDS FAIR.

The action Of the Commissioners of the
Worlds Fair in sending formal request TO
the Poet Laureate. of England, to furnish the
leading poems for the opening ceremonies OF
the Fair when that great event shall be In
augurated, has been generally criticised and
we think very properly so. 1t is not an ade-
quate justification to bring forward the I'M
doubted fact that Tennyson is the most illus
trious writer of verse now living, or 10 lay
stress upon the other fact that the Fair is an
international occasion. as its very name re-
veals. Neither the one nor the other makes
the step which the Commissioners have taken
appropriate.
Tennyson, il is true, is poet whose genius
would insure poetic production of the high
est merit but he is essentially foreigner;
man in the heartiest sympathy with the most
conservative spirit of the hoariest institutions
of his country; poet who, while responsive
to the claims Of free government and OF gen.
eral liberty, is far from being cosmopolitan
in his views of existing natiOnalitles. and
therefore is not entirely in accord with the
spirit which should animate the man who
seeks in poetic strain to welcome all the peo-
ples Of the earth TO tho Worlds Fair at Chi
cago.
This duty should fall upon q native Ameri-
can poet, one who is fully capable Of appreci-
atinR the grandeur of his theme in its inter-
national aspect. in the points Of view in which
it will be regarded by the world at large but
who at the same time has the profoundest IN
sight into the various bearings of the Worlds
Fair in its relations TO the genius Of the Amer
lean people, TO the character Of our political
and social institutions and TO our achieve
ments in all the branches Of science.
A poet born in the atmosphere Of a mon
archy, and who has never been accustomed TO
the influences that prevail in this country,
cannot treat the subject that will be presented
on this memorable occasion with the peculiar
inspiration that will be demanded.
America in this age has no poet of the high
est order of genius, but there are a number Of
poetical writers In the United States whose
great talents would enable them with so
magnificent theme TO produce poem which
would be considered by all 10 be equal 10 the
splendor Of an event of such worldwide inn
the allotted age Of man. but in recent years
he has written many poems that recall the
best efforts Of his intellectual power in It's
maturity. Jamas Russell Lowell still sur
wives his pOetical faculties unimpaired in their
strength even when compared with what they
were when he composed the great National
ode which was read at the celebrationin Cam
so,
of the command of the Revolutionary army
on Cambridge Common.
These are poets Of a distinction that is not
bounded by oceans or skies, but several others
might be named whose reputation, though
less extensive. would ensure magnificent
expression ofnational and international senti-
ment on the occasions Of the Inauguration of
the Fair
Even if the choice were 10 be confined to the
South, which has never been fertile in poeti-
cal genius we believe that the event would
show that the decision was not iniudicious.
Ianer, whose genius contributed TO
tho splendor Of the opening cere-
monies Of the Centennial Exposition, is
now no more. but he has several Successors
who, though still young in years. have writ
ten much Of very high order of merit
Prominent among these is son of Virginia,
Charles W. Coleman. Jr.. of Williamsburg
who is winning distinction in the field Of
poetry, and who. if the South is 10 be repre-
sented in the literary exercises attending the
Inauguration of the fair. would prove him
self to be fully competent 10 reflect honor
upon his section by sustaining the high char
acter of his previous poetical productions.