Produced by David Widger
By Charles Dudley Warner
This is the first public meeting of the National Institute of Arts andLetters. The original members were selected by an invitation from theAmerican Social Science Association, which acted under the power of itscharter from the Congress of the United States. The members thusselected, who joined the Social Science Association, were given thealternative of organizing as an independent institute or as a branch ofthe Social Science Association.
At the annual meeting of the Social Science Association on September 4,1899, at Saratoga Springs, the members of the Institute voted to organizeindependently. They formally adopted the revised constitution, which hadbeen agreed upon at the first meeting, in New York in the precedingJanuary, and elected officers as prescribed by the constitution.
The object is declared to be the advancement of art and literature, andthe qualification shall be notable achievements in art or letters. Thenumber of active members will probably be ultimately fixed at onehundred. The society may elect honorary and associate members withoutlimit. By the terms of agreement between the American Social ScienceAssociation and the National Institute, the members of each are 'ipsofacto' associate members of the other.
It is believed that the advancement of art and literature in this countrywill be promoted by the organization of the producers of literature andart. This is in strict analogy with the action of other professions andof almost all the industries. No one doubts that literature and art areor should be leading interests in our civilization, and their dignitywill be enhanced in the public estimation by a visible organization oftheir representatives, who are seriously determined upon raising thestandards by which the work of writers and artists is judged. Theassociation of persons having this common aim cannot but stimulateeffort, soften unworthy rivalry into generous competition, and promoteenthusiasm and good fellowship in their work. The mere coming together tocompare views and discuss interests and tendencies and problems whichconcern both the workers and the great public, cannot fail to be ofbenefit to both.
In no other way so well as by association of this sort can be created thefeeling of solidarity in our literature, and the recognition of itspower. It is not expected to raise any standard of perfection, or in anyway to hamper individual development, but a body of concentrated opinionmay raise the standard by promoting healthful and helpful criticism, bydiscouraging mediocrity and meretricious smartness, by keeping alive thetraditions of good literature, while it is hospitable to all discoverersof new worlds. A safe motto for any such society would be Tradition andFreedom—'Traditio et Libertas'.
It is generally conceded that what literature in America needs at thismoment is honest, competent, sound criticism. This is not likely to beattained by sporadic efforts, especially in a democracy of letters wherethe critics are not always superior to the criticised, where the man infront of the book is not always a better marksman than the man behind thebook. It may not be attained even by an organization of men united uponcertain standards of excellence. I do not like to use the word authority,but it is not unreasonable to suppose that the public will be influencedby a body devoted to the advancement of art and literature, whosesincerity and discernment it has learned to respect, and admission intowhose ranks will, I hope, be considered a distinction to be sought for bygood work. The fashion of the day is rarely the judgment of pos