New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-29
FINE Arts.
JOHN RooERs's "sLAvE STORY"

/. JOHN SLAVE olOhi' b.
This last work of John Rogers is already
familiar to those who Interested In such Things IL
represents group of four persons At small desk on
which lie papers and writing materials, sits william
Lloyd Garrison Opposite to him. at the back OF the desk
stands young negro woman with child In her arm
On the right OF Mr. Garrison his left hand resting on the
back OF the chair his right arm placed akmbo, Henry
Ward Beecher Is and by his side is the tall spare figure
OF the poet Whittier clad In the Quaker coat and holding
IN his hand paper The faces forms, and bearing OF
the three studied from the life, and as &C
ourae and characteristic they can be represented on 80
small scale AS portraits they are faithful both in letter
ana IN spirit 1t was the purpose tomodel
group Of several wellknown representative men. But
group OF gentlemen sitting standing together, would
possess little interest beyond the fact that each was
portrait To constitute the piece work Of art their
coming together or at all events. their being together
must be accounted for There must be ground OF meet
ing, OF interest bond OF sympathy else tue
work, having no harmony, would have no motive,
consequently would have no charm. the CEN
trail point OF interest here is the negro woman,
who Is supposed to be telling her story OF
the three men, who listen each after his MANNER
Mr. Garrison's face wears eager expression, COM
pounded OF indignation the wrong and pity for the
victim. Mr. Beecher listens with the kindly interest or
an honest sensible, fmperturbable nature MT whittier
takes in the tale houghtuy but as soul was not In
close communication with his ears. The woman is per-
haps tre neatly dressed for her character She Is
scarcely one Of the slave who had stories to tell
In the days when such stories were most narrowing
to hear but her countenanoe indicates trouble enough TO
account for the expression the faces OF the auditors
The piece recalls of Rogerss earliest believe his
very earliest performance The Slave Market" There
the poor negro had sympathizers. That tale OF
Of unmgaed barbsrsm, painful In every one Of It's ele
ments and In every OF Its suggestions This is tale
OF the It is less heartrendng and 1t commands
sympathy from all who hear It, The poet bends his head
TO the black womans appeal the preacher stands aten
tive before herr the phanthroplst gives patient ear as
ne has been In tho habit Of dong for many years Had
the limitations which the artist imposed on himself 81
lowed this idea might have been carried out further by
tho addition OF other figures. prominent states
man or political chief might have stood for
the part that tho friends OF the Republic have taken In
behalf OF the negro. Them another figure still would be
required the soldier whose agency was so important In
placing the former slave where he s in the attitude
OF andng the respectful attention OF leading minds
But this would have made the group too large to manage
without confusion and after all, the additional figures
while thoy might have told the story more completely,
not needed to tell IL faithfully The soldier and the
politician came late on the The conscience of the
Teorme the heart OF the preacher the soul OF the poe
these lent tho first hearing these expressed the earliest
compassion. Garrisons burning nvectiVes, Whlttlers
fiery lines reused tho conscience and stirred the heroism
OF tho people long before the statesmen or politicians
manifested sign OF emotion. The pulpit came thunder
ing 10 later but IL did come at ai aud the three agen
cies tho reforers pon tho prophets word, the bards
song prepared the way the organization OF party and
the array OF war. ... ..-r. U.......... .
Mr.. Rogerss piece has the qualities that distinguish oil
bis pieces It Is loss delcately flushed than some
Taking Oath" for instance; is less rugged than
Others such az the Union Refugees and the Council
of War" But it has the merits OF fathulness and sim
cerity There anectatlon OF either simpuelty or
dignity The theme is chosen from such as possess
genuine interest Tho treatment 10 natural though In
parts trine stn 10 say ungrsoefuL The sentiment
quiet Mr. RoEsrs's groups produce an eject Ike that
OF Auerbachs Village Tales Each Is story OF 60
tual aud experience told without ornament OF fancy
highly oolored phrase interesting because Is true
and because IT Is told II true. lie Is an humble
but earnest chronoer OF the details OF our
grand histories His ART 10 for the people, II domeste
all can understand IT, al appreciate It's meaning ali
can porcetye ltsrut aud respond TO Its feeling. is
always humani It h always gentle and
sweet; it has always something for the
heart; often 10 has something for the soul
seldom aspres teaoh the lessons 1t conveys are
tho familiar Of every experience; but when 1t
Oes tsaoh its lessOns worth needing. I1 am Is to
record tho ssI observed incidents OF history 20 fix tho
characteristic phases OF life they And IL IL say
ing good deal say nothing recorded that is not
deserving Of record nothing fixed In plaster or bronze
that II would be wise 70 forget Its inspiration drawn
from the feel OF the hour 10 Is atsied IL can meet
tina interest Of the hour and find immediate welcome
fom people Of refined taste l Is manly ana serious too
triiug morerieious and n IL does not live as
long as ambitious works 1t will enjoy warmer life
In a greater number OF hearts
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