New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-07
STATUES IN TIE PARKS.


The desire to commemorate departed worth
is so prasewOrthy in itself that it costs an effort
70 question the propriety of any of its special
manifestations. And yet it Is safe to say that
the reyerent love which reared the statue OF
Abraham Lincoln in Union Square might have
found more fitting expression. If good look
at his bronze effigy in Central Park were vouch-
spfed to Daniel Webster, the great expounder
would hardly contemplate that astounding
work of art with unallOyed satisfaction. bad
statue is surely not an appropriate memorial OF
a good man and when it is remembered that the
majority Of such works are unsatisfactory, not
say misshapen and awkward, bereayed
community should pause before making an
other attempt in this direction. Even II IN
any given instance a work of adequate nobility
and dignity could be assured, the question Of
properly placing it is one which deserves seri-
GUS consideration.
The spaces suitable for such memorials are
mainly under the control of the Park Depart
ment, and Central Park offered such spacious
invitation for cOmmemoratves tatuary that some
legislation on the subject was found necessary
in the early history of that work. If the De-
partment had advertised its willingness to ac
or dead, bronze and marble in more or less ex-
ecrable shapes would have obtruded themselves
upon tie attention of visitors at every turn. 1t
was evident that cmbarrassments would come.
A statue of some nan for whom the city was
still 10 mourning would be offered, and If 1t
were rot admitted tender feelings would be
wounded. And if one were accepted, why not
anotherY Who could elect between persons re-
garled with respect and aifectiOnH Therefore,
it was wisely ordered that no statue in honor OF
living man should be received, and no
statue commemorative of any person should be
accented until after a period of five years from
the death Of such person. This simple restric-
ton as to the subjects of portrait statues to be
considered by the Park Board has saved the
city from much embarrassment and heartburn
ing.
OF course, it is admitted that statues which
do not possess genuine artistic value should
never be allowed to dis6gure our public
grounds. No pleasant memories sOf the
persons represented can atone for works
inaItisticaly conceived or executed. 1t
was therefore ordered that no statue should
be accepted until its merits as a work of
art had been pass ed upon by the respective
Museum of Art and the Institute of Architects,
and it was ordered further that the site for
any statue should not be determined until after
its acceptance. These bylaws, together with
some other equally reasonable restrictions as to
the position of these works, were intended to
guard the park landscapcs-wh are lis es-
sence-from dstractinS and incolgruous OBJ
jects and TO protect them from the intIusions of
objects out of harmony with their design and
purpose.
AT the meeting of the Park Board on Saturday
Mr. 0lliiie stated to the Aldermen who asked
permission to erect statue of Peter Cooper III
Stuyvesant Square that the rule forbidding the
erection OF Il statue to any person until five
years after his death would in this case be sus-
pended. This infraction OF the law is less seri-
Gus because it was originally framed specially
for Central Park, and Stuyvesant Square is a
most appropriate site for the work. But why
suspend the rule which forbids the acceptance
of any statue until it has been seen in finished
condition or in the form of finished model
and pronounced worthy OF its subject 10y the
competent commission named in the law If
Peter Cooper were alive he would he the last
man who would be willing to see violated those
wholesome restrictions which wise men have
laid down for the proper ordering OF the
city he loved. There are other eminent
benefactors of the city the sorrow for
whose recent loss is still keenly felt
Affectionate hands are eager TO rear memo
rails of them. Each infraction of The rule
will make the next one easier. The only safety
lies in adhering to determined policy. The
Park Board exists TO enforce infexibly such
policy. The Commissioners are the authorized
guardians of the peoples heritage. They alone
have no excuse for yielding to what for the
time may seem expedlent. If their conserVa-
tive force makes itself felt on critical occasions,
respect for all wise regulation will DO estab-