The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-02-28
Nothing Can Repress
Kitty Cheatham's Optimism

Kitty Chatham visited the Detroit
Museum Of Art. Friday afternoon. de-
termined to see the Meunier exhibit.
which she had not found time to ex-
anime in any Of the cities which they
have visited contemporaneously. The
irrepressible discuss" said very lit
tie about Meunier's work-perhaps
because there were 30 many other
things to be discussed, perhaps be-
cause many Of the depressing human
objects nodded by the sculptor did not
At her optimistic philosophy. She was
smitted with the strong bust which u
Meuuier's conception Of Antwerp
and she commented on the sturdy vi.
tally Of the Zimmerman" but Fire.
damp and the Woman Of the People
were another story.
Entering the museum. Miss Chea-
than faced the WINGED Victory. ana
was reminded Of q story.
"A southern family was touring
Europe and paying particular atten.
ton to tho art galleries." she began.
They took along the old Negro mann.
my who had brought them all up. They
led her through gallery after gallery.
pointing out to her ALI the wonders OF
painting and sculpture. They were
bound that nanny should see every.
thing notable that was to be seen. But
nanny didn't seem to take much In.
terest. One day they stood before
the Winged Victory. and pointed 1t out
to her.
"'See, NANNY they said. That il
one Of the wonders Of the world
Nanny wasn't impressed.
Take good look. nanny, 20 that
you will remember IT, dey insisted.
Lawd, missy, I doan' care fob desc
heah things, satd the old woman.
Bare skin amt no treat to yo' old
NANNY"
Miss Cheatham talked awhile with
jacques Meunier. the sculptor's son-in.
law, who accompanies the exhibition.
They convened IN French. Of artists
and musicians they had met. Miss
Chestham expressed her admiration
for the sculptor. who IL one Of her
kind-wh0 bears out the philosophy In
which she believes.
A many-sided woman IL Miss Chea.
than, intensely interested In every
movement every person with whom
sha cQmes In contact everything she
sees. Her conversation II q running
nre OF comment ON everything sug.
gested to her. Ideas come to her 10
last that she drops one subject In the
midst OF the discussion to pursue an
other. Her optimism 10 incurable.
Don't you realize that we are living
nj the opoaf ~ n vpnn A~~S,,p - go -S-
insists.
or her artistic sensibiIities, nothing
more striking Can be said than that
she nnds grand opera an absurd ana
hybrid form OF art. Her sense Of
propriety IL violated by seeing q DIV.
Ing man attempt 10 sing an exhaust.
ing aria--something demanded not
once. but often. in grand opera.
Coming from the museum, someone
made . remark about the hopeless.
ness OF swift reform In government.
That emphasizes what I have told
you. that We must all stand together
solidly for the good" insisted Miss
Cheatham.
But II We are In the minorityY,
we must be IN the minority. n We
are to be In advance"
But what can be accomplished BY
the minority"
See what has been accomplished
already. Look about you." said Miss
Chatham. "Isat Il wonderful
world? Can't I convince you that we
al believe IN good?"
N"fou can be shown the human ar.
guments to the contrary, Miss Chea.
tham.'
"Ah, don't you suppose known
she replied. Don't you suppose 1
have seen the peasants Of 0orki, ana
miserable people, IN Ill parts OF Europe
and Americs?./1 know how they are
crushed and bowed down.. And IN spite
Of that--in spite Of everything be.
Iisve IN the gooc IN the world"