The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-12-30

the pest quanty, and very extensive. We under
mouth of the Cowlitz, on the Columbia, at five dol
lars per ton. We expect soon to test its quality,
A vessel left the Columbia river for Queen Char
lotte's Island on Friday last The expedition was
composed principally Of men belonging to Oregon,
truthfulness of the previously received reports as
to the existence of gold in large quantities on that
leland, and at the same time make raise" for
themselves; which, from the reports, promises to
be sure thing Spectator, Nou. ii.
The American Art Union and It's Assallants.
The thirteenth year of the existence and opera
tions of this institution is now about closing, and
its annual distribution of American art will shortly
take place. The approach of this event, which is
simply the division by lot among the subscribers for
lsol of the pictures purchased in their behalf, by
the Committee Of Management, and which have
adorned the walls Of the free gallery during the
past season, thus mnstsring to the delight of thou
sands, before being scattered amongst the various
homes of their ultimate possessors, has been the
signal for a succession of concerted and ilna.ured
attacks on the Art Union, its officers, and manage.
ment, and everything connected Herewith.
The columns Of the HERALD, in particular,
during the past week, have exhibited repeated
instances Of these ebullitons in series of commu-
nicasions, partly anonymous, partly avowed oy
their writer's, all of whom are making themselves
very uncomfortable at the gricvous wrongs which
the Art Union is inflcting upon somebody, and
doing their best to make everybody who has
painted for it, everybody who has managed it, and
everybody who has subscribed to it, as uncOmfor.-
able as themselves.
Taking them together, and judging them by their
words, he last test We should seriously wish apply
to them these censorious critics would be very hard
to please. One finds fault with the Committee of
Management for buying 30 many pictures; another
for not buying more one puts the committee on the
poor list, by calling upon it "to explain the
cause of its inextricabe embarrassment tsis year,,
while another holds it up to reprobaton ss purse
proud corporation, possessed Of property which il
comparatively immense" and which the public
ought to take care that its officers do not divide
amongst themselves. In one respect, however, they
are united, and that is in opposition to the Art
Union, and this fellowfeeling makes them won
drous kind to each ether and equally unknd to the
object OF their attacks. "The Art Union Is 0 CO.
lossal po YER" "the institutions of art in this city
have Isrished uodsr its blightiDg influence; 'sits
II anagers exhibit gross ana scandaous partialty;
s charter ar.fuly framed, md has been artfully
anebeed; its pretences are IN artful dodge;"
two hun dred Of IT'S present pictures are unworthy
Of public exhibition" il is an ''impudent assump-
tion 10 dictate In matters which it knows nothing
about: 1t resorts 10 contemplate Tsscs;" eft
iTamples on the interests Of artists and il has
crowned its ''almost nefaiious traffic" by turning
the "'cold shoulder on one artist who intends
never again 70 place himself in the humila.ng at
titude Of seeking aid from H." aud last Of all and
Thomas w Whitley.
This is a specimen Of the way in which the colors
are laid on IL these delineatioDs of the Art Union
and specimen also Of their TASTE and temper
The first inquiry which they suggest is, from what
sou.ce do they proceed
Certainly not from any one Of the public OF large,
with whom the Art Union is favori.e, above any
other Incorporated body in existence, TO our knowl
edge; because II Interferes with rights abrdges
10 erjoyments, proyokes no opposition contributes
largely to the general welfare furnishes an agreea
bic resort for ALL and harmonzes With the spirit Of
our free Institutions.
the last eight months has feqaen.ed the gallery Of
the Art Union, day and evening with cut charge and
there enjoyed not only the sight and study of the
latest products Of American art but also the best
indications OF its steady growth and permanent adj
vance.
Certainly not from the subscriber Of past years,
in city or country, who has received in return for
bis trihng outlay Of s. than an equivalent in
the engrayngs produced by the institution, besides
the satisfaction Of operating in the work of pro-
noting the Gne arts in this country, and thus rein
ing and elevating the taste Of his countrymen.
Certainly not from the young artist, whose early
but without the prestige Of acquired reputation TO
help him to purchaser, have been literally re-
eeived by the Art Union, and himself thereby
placed In the way OF self-mpport and success nor
from the maturer artist who has availed himself Of
the market offered by the institution, and sold
his honestly painted pictures to II for an honest
price nor, most of all, from the honorable artist,
who, struggling with adverse circumstances, and
yet unwilling to make this pressure the pretex. and
plea for the purchase Of pictures which he would
never AJAX private purchaser 70 outrage his taste by
buying, has found in the Art Union friend willing
to stand by him as long as he was willing to stand
being compelled to become almeners, and divert
the funds ntrusted to them for the purchase of pic
lures to the support of poor panters-poor In peck
et, and poorer in artistic merit.
No, these classes include not the enemies OF the |
Art Union, but Its friends and they are counted by
and tens Of thousands they are In favor
Of It's operations and satisfied with it's management
and they have no interest in impeding the one or
denouneing the other.
We are driven, then, to that class Of persons, al.
ways TO be found wherever an institution OF this /
kind exisu, where personal interests have in some
way come into collision with the Art Union, the \
very key note Of whose complaints is the echo Of |
some private injury, real or fancied, and who, as
they cannot agree with the public in prsising the
Art Mon, baves motive for trying to persuade the
public 10 agree with them in abusing it, A careful
examination Of the charges and alta ks aganst the
institution especially those recently put forth re-
veals this 70 be the secret Of their motive and their
manner Now and then there may be sashing
paragraph or two from some enterprising writer,
who engages in crusade against this and all kin
dred bodies, out ofpure love for opposition and de-
structiveness; but the main staple Of abuse and
SANDER comes from the quarter just indicated.
A few words Of explanation will show how IL
happens that the Art Union sometimes makes enc
mics and innocently provokes attack.
IL sengaged in the business Of promoting the
line arts, and necessarily Is constantly purchasing
pictures through the committee of management,
Who are for this purpose the agents Of the subscr
bers at large-responsible to them and 10 no body
Else in the world
:, Inc committee exercises its taste, judgment and
discretion in the choice Of the works Of art pre- sented
% them; some Of them IL purchases, some Of them
4 declines. In dong so 1t Is guided by rules aud |
which have stood the test Of experience
md have met the approval Of the institution. 1t |
lets in this matter according TO its best Judgment
md information and gives account Of it's doings to
ts constituents, and 1t is piece Of medd;esome in
reference on the part Of any body, whoever he be,
n md 4AlA A.. Iii