The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-29


every portion Of the country, complaining Of the
conduct of the Art Union, Of this city, for their
postponemen. of their lottery distribution contrary
to the pledges with which they commenced their
operations of last year Some OF these letters in.
form us that the five dollar tickets are offered for
faur Aollass and half, and others intimate that on
sDp!ication 70 the agents to refund the their
money, in Of the violation OF the hedges
made by them, they at once refused to do SO.
There seems to be no limit to the disconten. en-
gsndered in the public mind, both in this city and
tbroughou the country, against the management
Of the Art Union, in the conduct they have pur
susd relssive to the last lottery distribution.
The history OF this ipstitution-its rise, progress
elimination, and 0eoline-is very curious. Az oar
leisure we shall give IL, in all its interesting and
picturesque details. At present, We have only
time for few leading facts.
The Art Unicn reached ia eliminating point in
1919 During that year il cold Is $50 tickets, pro-
ducirg an annual revenue Of nearly ono hundred
thousand dollars. Since that year j. Las been
regularly declining; and a. TIC termination OF 1851
the subscriptions were only about two thirds Of
what they were two years previously. The causes
Of this sudden decline as interesting and Goto
rious those Of the vcssitudes of the seasons The
managers have been igsging several bulletins in
explanation Of their misfortuaes, and we have
already published issued under the sau,tiou of
all their names; but the following, which, il see MS
has been issued to enlghten the ignorant who live
beyond New York city, is the most remarkable
exposition which we have ye. seen this subject
AMERICAN Arr UNioS,
Nav YoRa, January 2, 1862 !
The Committee Of Management Of the american Art
ppton having postponed the disribution invite your
at eutiop 10 this circular.
The great bulk OF our subscribers have paid
their dues TIL December while most OF tbs peeuniary
obligations Of the Institution must be entered into before
that time. We have therefore, 60 assume, every year.
the basis OF our operations number so much lees than
that of last year, e. ia be considered certain.
In ls49 hsd 1S 900, which fels the next year to
1850 principally by reason Of the Jenny Lind exa site
expensive concerts daring the fan of tas year
Although that cause temporary, did not assGms
increase the next year cat with iuser caution
sumed only l5o0ca number much less than any year
since l64TanG made engagements accordingly Toe
fact that up to December our list waa GIG more than
last year indicated cur calculation The month Of De-
cemher however, was extremely eola and inciement-
sn extraordinary scarcity OK money prevailed through
out the country and Koesuth cycteme and festivals
epgo.ed the thoughts 81 all and drew upon the purse.
laN0-not enough to meet the engagements already
entered into
II We had distributed all the paintings and charged
the debts to the subscribers or nezt year. o. IL We had
taken from the catalogue the most valuable rictGres
IL faith of which our members had joined, and dis
tyibused the residue we SHOULD have impaired the
confidence in good faith, end IN che future opera
ops If the Art Union that should nave destroyed
institution SO important and na.fone ia its Charao
ter tina. lite loss would be public calamity Common
honesty and the duties OF trust determined to
postpone the disrihaion till the list shall reach l6 goo
Every right minded member Of tho institution shoud
feel urged not only by that community Q! feeling which
is the lie OF the Art Union but by his personal interest
his pride and his patriotism, to hasten this result Il
viii then be accomplished IN few days. May we not
ask personally to persuade St least, one friend or
neighb to send in bis subscription without delay
direct or he Sc
nents TO subscribe were never greater 1he six en-
cravings which each member will receive are fully equal
the beet issued and alone greater return
than any ilsr institution has made and the col
lection u paintings If superior to any former one.
There need be no fear tba. the American Art Union
viii continue prosper The people its friends
and viii continue their support. Il has extended n
taste for art through larger extent OF country and
smopg persons and has at this moment two thou
rand subscribers any other Art Union in the
world The committee, in their gratui.ous labcr aud
responsibility, have personal ends 20 serve. The
OF soue attacks upon them by uuscropulcus
press in this cit- well understood here and they
now alluded to only to say that they ere harmless in
the city false and nnfcunded and that their authors
will have ar opportunity TO snsWer them IN acour OF
justice.
BY order OF the Committee Of Management.
ANDREW WARNER, Corresponding Secretary.
There are nans points in this pronuncianeato
which will hereafter demand cur full attention
We shall only notice 4 few leading facts, at pre-
sent. The idea put forth by this philosopher, who
Jenny Lind excitement and expensive concerts
IN lS5u, caused tho decline during that year, IS Q.
rioec with the rretensions get forth in their re-
cent bulletin, that the g kossuth excitement ard
the scarcity Of money were the causes for 1851.
Now, It is well known tina. since the gold dseo &C.
rice of California, this country never was 60 psos
porous as it has beer during tie last two years
AID that money never was so plenty ani yet, il
zee MS hat the AT Union complains, with great
psthcs, of its awful scarcity. We deny tho f.ci.
u is not tue in any aspect II was not scarcity
OF money or any Jenny Lind or Kossuth excitement
which has produced the decline of the Art Uoior
during 1850 and 1851, but tie indisposition OF the
public 70 purchase tickets, from not yet ex
rleiued.
Now, what is ore of The most prominent o. Tie &c
causes! We will eudaavor to explain.
l. Tie years 1850 and ISL, one o. Inc prominent
directors or the Art Union Lottery nstitgtion vas
Henry J. Raymond, who was at the same time ed
itor a the Co,ai9 en@ Enquirer daring Mr..
Webs absence ia Europe. aud also member of
the Legislature of New lo;k. As an editor Of "a
leading journal, circulating all over the country,
and al. o as leading member Of the Legislature,
Mr. Raymond took very important bat very
dangerous course on enc OF the most delicate ard
sensitive public questons Of tie day-the oiat
sloeerg question lie was enc OF the most active
and resoluse advocates Of those doctrines in the
New York Legislature, which called forth the in
dirnatiep, resentment, axd alarm o. the frieads
the Union all over the republic. lie circulated the
ZANE dangerous doctrines through the columns
Of the CoHrto' a,1 Enquirer, during Mr. Webb.
absence &c Minister to Austria, and he came very
lear running that Leading journal into oblivion ant
ruin THE dangerous editor, legislator, and m ana
ger ofthe Art Union. nc doubt gave stamp am
character to the history and prospects OF the in
stitution among a large proportion Of society, il
different parts Of The country. who had money t
spend on art, but who were shu. out Of an associa
ton OF which he was one. We have every reason
to believe that his connection with the Ar
Union Institution, from his public position ir New
York, had as deleterious an effect on the receipts