The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-01

relation in life, or the necessity Of temperance
in every coalition of society and among all
classes of people. But the great difference of
opinion is as to the means best adapted for the
advancement OF practical temperance in social
'life-whether or not the great and inalienable
personal rights Of citz ms ard their families are
to beinvaded and + Mere / void, in order TOGO
cree submission to question of dubious consti-
tutionality founded upon doubtful theory re-
specting the habits of the people in any
part of the country. If the Legislature can
render nugatory any one of these rights,
they may extend the sanepower to all of them;
and as the Legislature is a body with limited
powers, it seems wrong thai they should make
advances toward the grasping Of power with
out limit.
All these great questions-moral, constitu-
tional, legislative, and social-will be fully and
amply rought before great tribunal of two
millions of people, between this time and the
State election in November; and both parties
win, no doubt, all to their assistance every
means of power, a1d every talent, that may aid
in shedding light upon either side of the ques-
ton.
Governor Seyn our, by this bold, decided,
and moral act, as we call it, throws himself
upon the people OF New York, and will be taken
up by the party Of freedom and social rights
he will receive their support and their aid
during the coming election, for his continuance
in his present place. On the other hand the
opposition party, consisting of all the odds;
ends, fanaticism, and other isms, hypocrisy.
and cant, within our borders, will endeavor to
unite and impose upon this State enactments
entirely at variance with the laws Of social
liberty which last are grounded upon the dear
est principles bequeathed to us by our fathers.
The tocsin will soon be sounded, and it be-
hooyes every good citizen to examine the whole
matter carefully, decide under which banner he
will serve, buckle on his arnor, and prepare for
the great battle.
THE FINE ARTS IN AMERICA.-When we speak
of the fine arts in America we refer more par
ticularly to painting, as we have but few sculp-
tors Of repute. Indeed, with the exception Of
Powers, Crawford and Ball Hughes, we can re-
member but few whose chisels have carved their
names on The immortal edifice founded by Phi
dias, Praxiteles and Lysppus. The art Of
painting deserves more patronage, or at least
more appreciation than falls to it's lot in Amer
lea. Even in New York-the centre Of wealth,
learning, prosperity, refinement and commerce.
the artist receives but little encouragement.
He paints landscape, marine view, histori-
cal picture, or works up an exquisite bit Of still
life He knows it is good, and he holds it at
price which will remuneratc him for his labor,
and nobody buys it. A member of the Goldfish
aristocracy, whose daughter say it is pretty"
offers twenty five dollars for it perhaps which
the artist refuses. BY and-by poverty knocks
at the door, and the favorite picture-the COM
panion of the artists solitary hours, the mani
mate canvass seeming to laugh and weep as he
felt alternately merry or desponding-goes out
Of the window, is put up at auction, and is
knocked down for five dollars over the cost of
the frame!
With all this in view-and every body knows
il is true--the cry is raised that there are no ar
lists in America. If the Fifth avenue connois-
senrs will buy the pictures we are ready to
guarantee that tho artists will soon appear.
That there are few landscape and portrait
painters of marked merit in this city we are
ready to admit when we remember the produc-
tons of Doughty, Kensett, Hicks and Elliott.
But we also believe that there is much rising
talent which needs only a little encouragement
to bring it out in full strength. Now an un-
known artist-no matter how good he may be
has about as fair a prospect Of being rewarded
for his labor as has General Pierce for the !" sue
can afford to indulge in the luxury of picture
galleries, are governed altogether by names,
One can hear item say in a gallery, That's
sweet landscape-who did tt" ''Oh! No. 10
Jones'" "Who's Jones ~ Nobody knows Jones
but Smith, whose connections live up town,
paints Indifferent pictures and "takes his ease
at his inn y while the meritorious Jones starves
in garnet and pawns his work to buy bread
for his children.
Artists are not honored here as they are
abroad. Their parvenu patrons "snub' them,
and sometimes openly insult them. The wife
of gentleman who recently represented US at
the Court of Saint James has collection of
pictures. A lady artist, desiring to see them,
waited on the female diplomat after her return
from England with letter of introduction, and
modestly requested permission to view the pic
lures. She received sharp refusal, and heard
the ex-ambassadress i" wonder how Mrs -
could send such people" to her. And this is
often the case. 1t is true that some artists are
able to say "There is my picture-I must have
SO much for it or no sale" But these are the
favored few. Now men of talent must throw it
away on Notwithstanding clowns appear hand
some and country girls look brilliant and grace
full. Bread and butter must be had, and it can
only be obtained in this way. People will not