New-York tribune., 1878-01-12
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Brooklyn, ~ T., Jan. II, 1878.


To me Edttor OF The Tribune.
SIR: From the reports which have appeared
in the daily press, and the rumors which are being
brited about in artistic circles 1t would seem that
most hghaned and extraordinary method OF selection
is about be adopted In connection with the represer
tatOn of American Art at the approaching Paris
Exhibition.
Mr.. Mccormick, the United States Commissioner Is
said to have quite lately convened meeting OF gentle
men-not artists but laymen-tO consider what steps
should be taken in this matter These gentlemen, 1t Is
further asserted arrived at the c0nclsion to select from
the various private galleries Of the country (which are
mainly TO be found in this city, what they con-
slider the best pictures to be forwarded there as
the presentation aud standard Of what native art
produce. Now to put the matter tersely this IS
simply anu fauous Many OF the best and strong
artists here, can be proven beyond question,
very lnadequ il at ALL represented in private coec-
tions OF They have been steadily working for
years in that spirit and with tnat earnest n-
tent which mark q renaissance their works have
deeper meaning, and expressive of more thorough
insight into the breadth, possibilities and lin
itaIOns or painting than many OF the older
artists from the nature OF the circumstances under
which they abOrcd, could discern were equipped to
reach Therefore, to debar the contributions OF men who
are abreast their from due consideration, from
proper aud qualified critical Judgment is
gross aud manifest injustice; and to approve
and ratify the contributions OF men WHO,
having served their generation, are. many OF them
virtually il not literally defunct and obsolete, Is about
rational It would he TO ask the old Libraries OF New
York to furnish books which would represent the issues
of modern publishers wardrobes which have been
selected for years according to individual idosyncraces
Of taste t mp showcases labelled with the names OF
the fashionable ailOrs Of to-day.
Pictures have been expressly painted with view TO
the Paris Exposition which, not improbably will bear
comparison with much European work, but II the pro-
iectcd plan OF the committee (o which not knowing the
component mcmbers. whose names have been carefully
withheld, speak with all respecD be followed ont,
then the major part of the American pictures
Will not represent American art as 1t is 1T
all The dllcttautism Of private collectors and
self-styed ccnnolsseurs has no business TO obtrude
Its iurigncluce in matter of this KIND, ana no hasty
and iligc.t,d scheme should be suffered to nuiiy the
ranrl and earnest aims of q Worlds Exhibition. Let Mr.
MctSmck aud bus committee. II II must needs act, IN
yife artists II large submit their intended contr
buttons let them consult cultivated and critical
opinion. and let them not stuify their country ana
render themselves ridiculous by presenting American
the world in what must be- 81 best very one
sided a. prct the time dsclalm any Intention
81 impuaning the mpat.alty taste Oi the gentlemen
IN question. 1t takes additional qualifications however,
veto on suecieus of an ART the conditions and position
which they can have given but easIal ana aeurish
am not an artist am connected. except by ties
friendship and goodwill with artists hut since this
known and able painters, trust YOU VIII give II space
and. ~ desire 10 skIrk no responsibility.
remain respectfully yours,
Ner iork, Jan. 10 le1s. JOHN MORAN
Mr. Moran would do well to heed one of Moham-
mcd'5 fav0ritc maximS " Haste is of the Devil
II womld have saved hm from some serious mistakes
Tie facts in the case are simply these: l. Gov
ernor Mccormick has pursued exactly the same
plan which was adopted in 1867 when the
Art of the United States for the
first time adequately represented in Paris He
has selected committee of the same character, with
"thc borough approval of a number of well-known
and able painters" =. The French Exhibition spe-
cinlly asks for the hest pictures painted since 1867
as a Illustration of the progress of Art III this co-
try during the last ten years aud portion of the
exhibit must necessarily be procured, if possible.
from private galleries. 3. II the committee should
decide that fair representation may still he made
within the short period left for action-a question
not Yet deridcd-the competition will be open to all,
both Ia those artists who according to Mr. Moran,
have become "defuuct and obsolete" since 1867,
and TO those " best and strongest artists here who
are very nadequately represented, if at all. III
miyate collections Mr. Moran does not speak for
the artists of America, but for few
usrscnal friends. Whom he confesses himself to be
a layman. he puts himself in the same rank with the
layinen Of the committee and his protest in advance
of their action is a boomerang which slitcs himself.
-Idl