New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-08-22
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We have recently witnessed the singular phe
nomenon Of two men charged with the POSITIVE
electricity OF genius, demonstrating tins law IN the
most decided manner two men, alike in person, in
mental organic alton and in the general direction OF
mental effort both filed with noble impulses, and
alive 10 the sense OF the beautiful IN the very effort
TO part 10 the citizens of their country, Of which
they are ardent patriots, facts and sentiments de-
sirable to be known and which were received with
grateful enthusiasm, suddenly thrown into the
most positive antagonsm TO each other and what
is worse without any real cause 1t is certain the
cause did not exist in the character OF these men
their associate aims in the results OF them as
published to their countrymen.
Now this is lamen.able consumn alton OF a wor-
thy endeavor as il affects the parties themselves.
But the evil is not confined 10 them 1t concerns the
Public still more deeply by the injury it is working
upon Art and it is quite time the public should
know how the mischief has been brought about
how these gentlemen have been injured BY their
friends in the process, and how perseveringly these
continue to stir up the elements Of discord and
strife 10 widen the breach between them
1t very curious history, and if all could be
known about it, it would be very long one, with
a great many episodes, in which men through envy
Jealousy, and revenge have play ed their parts iany
up to the "rnodesty OF nature"
Ten or twelve years ago some Christian Mission,
ares went to the Creek Indians, in Arkansas, and
settled there TO teach and to do them some good
After a while these Missionaries committed some
immoralities so gross that the tnbe eXpehed eheni
from the Nation and for long time refused TO re-
ceivc others in their place. They desired to have
nothing 10 do with a religion which permitted its
teachers TO be so wicked The fault know
was not in the religion but in the false teachers
vet the conclusion drawn from the facts was quite
natural for those people
Mr. Powers and Mr.. Lester Missionaries OF
Art presented to their countryinen on the
subject with the view Of doing some good to the
cause of Art From what has since transpired
ny people may come TO the same conclusion in re-
gard to Art that the Creeks did IN regard to Chris
anity that is if they take for granted that these
Missionaries have been the cause Of all the unartst
ic discord that has anscn--that there was really
bad taste manifested in the publication by the one
and bad faith by the other the excellent friends
Of the parties would make it appear.
In the Autumn of l345 there was published for
Mr. Lester book entitled "The Artist, Merchant
aud Statesman :" the material of tins work was
prepared in Italy Most of TINT which relates TO
Ant purports to be Conversations with Powers,
in his studio at Florence in these of the lead
ing facts of the Artists life are given some of his
principal works are spoken of. and many opinions
and reflections upon Art are set forth coming
from the master together with expressions of deep
interest in the glory OF the country of his birth
Before tue publication of this work, the reputa
ton of Powers ms great sculptor was fully estab
lished: his high rank among the Artists was nc.
knowlcdged on all hands His countrymen We're
proud of him-they had long talked about possess
ing in him Canova or a Thorwaldscn
The work IN question was published and ii
gained for him higher appreciation than he
had before enjoyed ii showed that he was Pa
triot, a strong thinker and master OF the instru
ments of thought as well as those OF his art and
more than aa that he valued Art not for itself
alone but its exalted uses the highest OF which
was their illustration OF the history and heroism OF
his Nation.
We were present when the manuscript was read
to gentlemen of critical taste-hgh III rank as art
lists and authors 1t was read to them with the ex
press desire on the part OF Mr.. Lester thnt they
should point ont any views or expressions that they
might conceive to be al variance with good taste,
or otherwise Objectionable especially as 1t might
affect Mr. Powers 1t drew forth their unqualified
upprobation-nay enthusiastic applause; and SO
i, was with those who read the published work
n H. Il. wa
rcvicwed-so it was noticed in the journals; and
all was calm for many months. The sudden jareon
that at length arose reminds one OF the cries o,
Hook, as described by Patrick Henry, in the midst
of the festival of victory
A sound Of discord broke upon the clear, serene
atmosphere of the cathedral OF Art the minstra-
.ions OF the priests We're interrupted and the stat
ues of sculptured saints. with trowns OF sorrow
and Indignation trembed on their pedestals and
turned their faces to the walls and the limned he
roes all turned pale with scorn! People began 10
think something terrible had happened What
was il and how, wherefore Somebody. who
might perhaps be designated rs They had
whispered to somebody that the publication
would hurt Mr. Powers. Was it his friend or
was il some person who wished to raise question
that would be likely TO hurt him2 However that may
be the question did hurt him, and not the book
But the wound will heal and the man or men who
gave it will sink into oblivion
We can easily imagine the effect that such wins
perinss would have upon the sensitive mind OF the
artist but supposing, for the sake OF argument that
there was something in the book that might excite
n little envy, jealousy, censure do we not run
the rsk OF exciting these in our own best endeav
ors In our highest success are we not obnoxious
TO their poisonous sting Where we hope for great
advantage, should we not be willing to hazard
something Does not the consciousness of attempt
ms and performing great good console and sus-
tam us under any reproach? We had better not act
at all if we expect to pass through the world as
uacrring saints; If we regard reputation the
greatest good all effort will be painful, through fear
OF censure Doubtless this fear is often taken Tor
modesty.
y gentleman has recently put together number
combined with comments that possess IN
some degree tue character of special pleading The
effort whole, doth tend to the iniarv OF all the