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holders, the whole ticket offered by them became eligible. Unaccustomed to electioneering management, and little imagining that some of the officers of the Academy were determined if possible, to prevent their admission, the artists conceived the pledge they had received to be all-sufficient, and that indeed they were neither called upon, nor ought to ask for this or that man's vote. The question, whether it was, or was not, of importance to secure the co-operation of the body of artists, was for the Electors. and not for them to decide, and they awaited patiently, but confidently, the period which, as they thought, was to place in their power, the means of exerting themselves earnestly and successfully, for the advancement of their art. Their surprise, therefore, may be imagined, when, on the evening previous to the election, they were apprized, by an anonymous letter from one evidently friendly to the Union, that a plan was in operation to divide their ticket, and that those, (whose names were given) and perhaps others of their nomination would be excluded. There was but a moment for consideration--in a few hours the morning papers would be closed, and no other means left to acquaint the committee or the electors of the design, in season to counteract it. As the only available resource, the following paragraph was hastily penned, and distributed to the morning papers.
"To the Stockholders of the American Academy of Fine Arts.-- Many contradictory reports being abroad touching the election of officers for the ensuing year, which takes place this day, it has been thought advisable to apprize you, in a few words, of the more than ordinary importance of the present election, involving no less than the union of the body of Artists with the Academy, or their separation from it.--There is only time for the statement of the following facts. Negotiations have been carried on for some weeks past, between the gentlemen composing the present Direction of the Academy and the Associated Artists, to bring about a cordial union of interests. At a meeting of the Committees of conference, it was agreed that the nest board of Directors should comprise at least six artists.--The artists accordingly bal-
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