National Republican., 1875-06-23

YeTeally EeralCeQ. Tne Nn0le lanQ to-day seems
conscious Of some vast overshadOWinE presence.
Down into the very depths of social lile is discoV
cradle an all-pervading reverence for the past
and hopeful looking into the future The hearts
of men every where are impressed with the gran
deur and solemnity of the approaching Centennial
celebration Of the pation's birth. Ali classes are
catching tbe insniration of that august Occasion
reveling already amid its stirring scenes, and
mingi' with the countless throngs that fill the
streets and avenues OF the American Mecca
The late demonstrations at Concord and Lexing-
ton, and the later and grander ceremonies at Bun
ker Hill, are but the fOreshadOWlng of what the
world will see in 1ST6-but the tHinkling star
light preceding glory which will illuminate the
entire continent with its effulgence. General
Sherman struck the keynote at Boston the other
day, when he declared, "This is not Breeds Hill;
It Is Bunkers Hill, and I'll swear to It ~
The shout that succeeded this ayowal was the
expression Of the nations heart. Men are to-day
diligently gathering up old traditions and mem:
ories-6ec" ming severely Jealous Q; the name and
lutionary warriors are fighting over again the
early struggles OF their sires. Polished rifles are
cleaning alongside Of old hint-lock muskets, and
the richly braided coats of modern warfare,
blending with the p ain buff and blue OF tie Con-
a ar: rraet,ing sbat tbsT wsrs axsr
divided; are becoming ashamed Of their sad quar-
rels; are sacrificing their prejudices and hates
future, near and far, but one flag. one country,
one destiny. God grant that in this new depart
devoted PstEiOtism Of Is, But the purity Of its
public morals the simplicity Of Its manners, and
the unbending integrity of its official conduct.
OF THE oUTCRoPPINGs
of patriotic sentiment in advance of the Centen-
nisl, none more significant and interesting
than those in which the noble women of our coun-
try have been prominent. But few months ago
gathering of ladies. illustrating in costume and
decoration the revolutionary epoch, and more
recently in the small town Of Easton, in Mary
land, was conducted by q committee of refined
LADIES', q Centennial tea-party, rivaling in Its
rare collection of historic relics its antique dresses
and old fashioned amusem ents the most imposing
Of metropolitan celebrations. A few weeks since,
under the enterprising management Of q distin-
guished lady, whom we all delight to honor, (Mrs.
BouIiVpy1 an effort was made TO add to the funds.
now in process Of collection by the fatrer part Of
creation for the purpose Of constructing in Inde-
pendence square q splendid monument to COM
memorate the contrasting events Of 17T6 and 1876.
Now we are invited by the same gentle in
ceremonial, prompted BY the same patriotic
spirit which has Impelled the daughters and
mothers of our land to greater and more glorious
achievements. The correspondence between the
ladies and the Washington National Monument
Society, so crsdtable to both parties sufficiently
lafy graceful and aesthetic feature of this rscep.
tion could have found its suggestion only in the
breasts of the refined and sppreclatiVe OF the sex
May the effort add new impetus to the purpose
Of completing the neglected shaft intended to
grace the
MEMORY OF WASHINGTON
in the city bearing his name. May It Iinger no
longer in its finished proportions, o disgrace
to the nation aud q reflection upon its patriotism!
May stone VI On stone be added, and stone upon
eyes worthy Of the illustriOus desd-tAe Joy OF
the living pre- It, the pride of coming genera
tiOns forever!
In the presence of this glowing classic portrait,
of which the eye never grows weary-which bears
us away to the enchanting isles
"Where burning Sappho loved and sung
in the contemplation Of this matchless production
1t must be admitted that the splendid reception OF
which we are participants has not a mere social
significance. 1t is suggestive Of art In its most
comprehensive meaning, and especially Of art as
it exists in our own country. Athemo so broad 1 |
would not dare to venture al on, but will be par
doI ed am sure for a slight diversion which will
occupy your attention but q moment.
Whenever in the history Of any people a taste
for art has existed It has shown itself early In
civilization within their reach. This began in
Europe with individuals, as Cosmo, Pope, Leo |
and others, and by the competition thus engen-
dered came at last to be established those mag
nifcent public galleries which are the pride of
every land in Europe, and the admiration Of all
who visit Il EN-.
In our own country, with native talent equal to
any in the world, with a roll of such artists as
West, TrumbuIl, Stewart. Pes:e, AllstOn, Kel-
logg, Elliott, Mignot, Reed, Story, Weir, SuIly,
and Reinhart, and Of the opposite sex as Mrs.
M0TeIl, Miss Miss Gardner, Mrs TomRkins, Mrs:
Re8m, Miss Foley, and others. little advance has
been made in establishing suitable museums or
galleries Of art. A national academy of design
has been in existence, # is true, for long time,
embracing n its membership some excellent
nepes, but It has been marked by selhshness
part Of the artistic talent Of the country catering
10 the vanity Of the few, AID making exhibitions |
of so.called specimens Of art, some of which |
would do discredit to the walls Of village bar
room.
A few years ago in Brooklyn union was con- |
summAted between two art exhibitions and q |
zeal for the arts revived among its citizens; while
in New York, under the auspices Of Bryant, |
Comfort and others, movement has been lnau-
gurated looking to the organisation ofa
METROPOLITAN ART MUsEuM,
and, in the comprehensive language of the call, |
to consider also the whole subject OF art institu-
uonP, with reference to the requirements and /
responsibilities Of the present hour"
The question occurs, What was the meaning OF /
this reGWakening-thls revival of art artists and
prompted by the necessity of the times. Other |
interests have been cared for. Philsdelphia has /
its great Museum Of Natural History. The en- |
Museum OF Zoology in Boston. And one object of /
the Smithsonian Institute is to illustrate, BY its
of various races and countries. Art cannot be far
behind science.
tion on this continent, and the socnerthe better.
Year after year our students Of art have been /
compelled to seek instruction abroad, returning /
only to feel the Of their proud calling
at home, suffered to pine in poverty and neglect,
finding no adequate appreciation or encourage |
the ste for art the love Of the aesthetic has not
been cultivated as It should be. We have been /
too strictly StilLtsrian-tOo material. too much
some years past and patching up the resulting |
wounds to
GIVE ATTENTION TO THE FINE ARTS
or even the humRnities OF literature Now that |
we are we'll over this uninviting business some
thing is needed precisely In the direction indi.
Gated; something solid and substantial, not con-
tinRent upon the limited resources Of individuals
or communities Of Individuals, upon the csprices
and jeaIousies of members and managers, but |
something national and enduring.
to T us as ian nation; now @ that the Government % Is
richer and more powerful than at any former
period Of its history Il is duty we owe to our
morality and sensbility of the people, always en-.
larged and improved by the knowledge and con-
liberal foundation q great American Academy
of Design, with endowed departments Of instruc-
m on where me IN theory or and practice Of art shall
1t cannot be asserted that the country is too
young for such a scheme. 1t may be that hereto
have pressed upon Us to the exclusion Of those
studies which teem TO require wealth and leisure
But that period is fast passing. Weareno longer
States, hugging the Atlantic coast, we have
stretched over mountain and prairie to the
vast and powerful. Besides in q certain sense,
We are one OF the Oldest nations. We have never
EIoPed In the long ages Of darkness, through
which other nations have stumbled into the
dawn Of day.
PALLAs-LIKE AMERICA
sprang into life full panopIied. Oar Constitution
framework Of the most enlightened English % intel.
lects Of past agea The experience Of twenty centu
res was ours and We had but to appropriate it to
our wants. There never was, then, more ausplci-
Gus time than now, no more appropriate place
than here, in the Capital Of the Nation, to organ
iEe agrand national school of art.
We have In our midst q most attractive gallery,
Of which we are Justly proud. Why not engraft
upon this splendid gift Of our munifcent patron
Of art, Mr.. Corcoran, something which will In no
sense Interfere with the objects or constituted
management of the Institution, but give wider
scope to the great purposes contemplated by the
distinguished donor7 The gallery will then be to
the academy what the Louvre Is to the French
Academy OF Design
A GRAND THEATRE FOR THE CONTEMPLATION OF
ART,
and where the best masters may be studied and
copied BY the ambitious, earnest pupil under the
most adyautaReous EurroundfnRgP What more