New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-11
FOR HUDSON MEMORIAL.
Great Permanent Exposition in
Honor of TncentennidI Urged.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In September. 1909 Il will be three hundred
years since Henry Hudson discovered the great
river bearing his name. which has proved an event
only second in the magnitude ~ its results TO the
discovery Of the New World so wonderful and up-
precedented tnat of this time fan 70 grasp the
significance of it 1t stagsers the imagination II
that comparatively little space OF time has grown
the second--n some respects the frst-city OF the
world. the commercial and financial centre Of
vast country whose resources and means C wealth
+ have scarcely been drawn upon.
What are We 20 make OF such an occasion? Shall
we celebrate ir way THAI will be in keeping with
the splendid energy and initiative of people or
with what has come TO be regarded as character
istic lack of public spirit. let it pass and add
new justification to that :eproach?
We have substantial ground for hope that this
may not be so. for now than three years
Mayor OF Sew-Tork have appointed joint cont
nittee (of great and represent 4t!ve character
as has not beer nor could not. before this. have
been called together in this country-f, indeed IN
any other for the consideration OF ways and means
of celebrating this event and II may De supposed
that IT viii! rise to the greatness of the occasion
II could not well afford 10 fall short of L.
But how What is to be done VIII monu-
ment at the hands of a sculptor: bridge or
lasting memorial in any form of art, meet the eA
igencies of the occasion?
Scarcely, and for many reasons.
First-Such q memorial would be. at best, purely
local and would not enlist the sympathy or inter
est of any outside the greater New-Tork. and
the river that bears the name Hudson flows from a
long way above. and its western side there is a
great part of the population of another State. And
then it may be DOUBTED If any of the arts. they
are now with US, are equal to the 9ccasl2n1csr
have achieved in the way Of public memorials any
/ the water.
Art has not as yet. arrived at the dignity of ex-
pressing the best of our civilization and there mag
not be a better way Of helping It to that than by
vital part of vast and euiightening movement IN
the development of resources and the working
or Of our part IN the drama of the worlds history
Fairs-"words fairs'-have been many witt
/ VINO say they are tired OF them but that each
one of them has marked and made an epoch in the
I development and general enlightenment OF the
| race cannot be denied. .--A -
Had it been possible to turn any one OF these
tawdry exhibitions into permanent, ones. the re-
g Ta5 T2ga and ben TsS TS nave o."
a six months exhibition of industrial and art
Of the earth he expected to represent just
nations, for everything must of necessity. be cal
culats9 with view 70 take qrck sfIect ,en n'
will be eiminated not only IN exhioits out IN
| proach to the lasting quality Of beauty as
| sUred so that it may become. for the artist the
artisan and the public at large. the best attana Die
| school and incentive to thoroughness In all direc-
OF course no other city OF this couhtry-or Of the
world, for the matter of thatEould lend itself 70
| SuCh purpose so We'll as NeW-t OTk, Is inc
/ entrance to great and ever growing a market
As to the general effect of so great an inteTna-
! tional and show place in the mere matter
| of stimulating and bettering the quality of work
| there can be but little doubt. Beyond this, from
a still vital aspect such meeting place for
the workers and pleasure seekers OF the race would
| Inevitably bring about better aequaintance and
Understanding; which would help more than all
Imaginable tribunals of International arbitration 10
do away with the frightfu waste Of war.
This celebration of the tricentennial Of the dis
cOvery nf the Hudson offers to the great com
mittea appointed by the Governor and Mayor a
fitting opportunity for the projection of institu,
ton of poIentiality for the betterment OF
| civilization which they cannot afford. in respect
TO themselves and what they represent to let slip
WILLIAM r. ODONOVAN.