The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-10-04
TIE DAILY CRESCENT.
NEW oRLEANS~
THURSDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 4, 1870.
Art and Government.

9F~--~'--'~ ~ - N~s~+$- - 'AoA9s
Art and Government
There are those who read the history of the race
and fancy that all the great movements of the
world are iusepaably connected with the actions
and relations of governments. The evoIutions of
armies, the speeches of Senators and the laws of
Legislatures appear as the only matters worthy of
recollection in the past or of consideration in the
present and the future. Especially is this inpres.
sion felt by the politician who, after the manner
Of those combining their studies to one particular
branch of knowledge, imagiues bis own world of
thought aaa action the great centre around which
revolve the smaller sphsresOf less important intel
lectual occupations. And az in our country every
man is necessarily arpOlitican, the tendency with
our people may be TO attribute too much to govern
mental action, and look upon governmental pro.
gress and governmental improvement asshe great
end and object of all efforts after advancement
and higher civilization.
But we should-Deyer lose sight of the truth that
good government is only the means tO-be used for
improving our civiliZatiOn-not the end of our
struggles for the cause Of social Improvement and
intellectual advancement. Political combinations
ought Only to aim at the protection Of the life and
property of individuals. Whenever government
attempts mOre-Uhen not satisfied with the simple
function of protecting the citizen in his rights and
immunities, it tries to push the individual into
paths he would not otherwise pursus-then it
Z becomes dangerous in its conduct and destructive
in its tendencies. Lat government keep within its
due'bouhds-let its exeTtions be used only for tha
efficient protection Of life and pFopertY-thus win
Che purposes Of its establishment be most cefsiRlY
reached and secured, -B
The functions Of government are, therefore,
purely material and the object Of all law is only
10 secure a man in the dominion he has acquired
over certain portion of matter he calls his prop
eTty With the higher pursuits of man govern
nent has not rightfully anything to do America
first taught the nations that religion should be en-
tirely banished from the civil administration aud
we have seen that religion has been strengthened
rather than weakened by its emancipation from the
intiuences OF the State. 1t remains for ua %
prove, hereafter, that Art, which deals with the
spiritual and immateriaI-lBhieh reveals to,us the
forms of beauty and grace that lie hidden in the
depths of the artists SOULS altogether independ-
ent OF political assistance, and may go on indsf-
nitely expanding and improving, without receiving
any aid from the State.
These general remarks have been elected by the
publicationef the following letter from the French
Minister Of the Interior to the managers of the In
ternational Art Unionin the city of New York;
REPUBLIC OF FRANCE.
LtbTrty ,EQUGLftV, FIR atsrRitR,
Subdivision Department Of the Arts - Isl Bureau.
sssrs auagers-I have he honor 10 sRnoa5oeto you
hat aEe decided that three pictures now in the e1hlb
winch you have established in AmsFes uSdef the name Of
the International A Union. These pictures are" The
be Fish MaFtst 6y n Buya Sst6 suu 81 " ah0'
d1s G ne ~ P59ehng lasGe 2S1ss 70 ne lDeToa
winch ithas view and to bear witness to the sympathy
popularity Of tie works q the Schools Of FShee Accspt e
gentsmeH The issuance Of consideration
Nowwhile we cannot help admring tue liberality
of the French Government, which thus sendsto our
country several of the first paintings exposed at the
last exhibition of the Louvre, We cannotelp think
ing that the recipient of the favor will be more
useful than the giver-that the International Art
Union Will do far more for the advancemento of Art
than will the Department of Arts in the Ministry
Of the Interior. We cannot but be gratifed at the
fact that the French Government should sOrightly
appreciate the mission of Art as to send us these
paintings at the vsry time when our international
relations are not Of the most amicable sort.
On several occasions we have expressed Gun
opinion that Art and Nationality should be kept
separate and apart; and that to mix up national
feelings and national preiudees with eur apprseias
ton of artists or our Judgments on their works.
was to degrade Art without exalting patriotism.
How could this be done if alLnatiens wereta havs
Departments of Art in their Ministries of-the Int.
rior! In the maintenance of such department
the french Republic gives another proof of its dim
perceptions of the true objects Of government; and
although in this single instance, the French Minis.
try has shOwnitsef able TO rise above international
s,,g L. l. -.
such an example can hardly overthrow the general
argument against mixing up Art with Government.
LETTER FROM LOUIS NAPOLEON. THE last
European,steamer which has arrived, the America,
brings the following intelligence GA letter from
Louis Napoleon to a friend; published in the Aoni-
tsur, has been virtually acknowledged by the Cab-
net, and has made some talk in political circles.
The letter says that the French Republic has net
sent an army to Rome to put down Italian liberty,
out, on the contrary to regulate it by preserVingt
sgainst IFS own excuses, and to give il solidbass
by replacing on the POntiical throne, Prince who
tst TOOK part in all useful reforms. Most persons
appear to wish TO make prescriptions and tyranny
me basis of the POpe's return. He tells General
Rossolan not to permit, under the tri-coloE flag,
any act which can lower the character of French
intervention. He thus cuts of the restoration of
the Pope's temporal power and secures general am
nesty as we'll as a secularZation OF the admlnlstIa
ton code of Napoleon's liberal government"
Carr McCERREN INDIcTED.-Several indict.
ments have been found at New York against Capt.
McCerren, i'll the matter of Miss Dickson. He APP
peRred in the Court Of Sessions, and gave bail in
the sum of $1,000 to appear and take his trial on
the charge. The case is one OF alleged violence
| and attempt at seduction. Dickson was a
| passenger from Ireland in the vessel which Capt.
McCeFTen commanded. When the complaint was
examined before the Police Justice, great deal of
doubtful testimony was produced against the young
woman's character; but since, the most ample
proof has been brought from Ireland Of her unim.
| peaehable correctness Of conduct,