Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
323154772
label
Mellon Dinner, Washington, DC 4/27/89 [OA 8130]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
323154772
contentType
document
title
Mellon Dinner, Washington, DC 4/27/89 [OA 8130]
citationUrl
identifierLocal
13888-011
collections
Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Curt Smith Chronological Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
323154772
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
35ce17f4097507cb
ocrText
Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Smith, Curt, Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1992
OA/ID Number:
13888
Folder ID Number:
13888-011
Folder Title:
Mellon Dinner, Washington D.C., 4/27/89
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
18
29
1
4
(Smith/Simon)
April 18, 1989
Draft Three
MEL
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: MELLON DINNER
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
APRIL 27, 1989
Trustees of the National Gallery, Members of the Cabinet,
Members of the Congress, Distinguished Guests.
Thank you for that introduction, and for your generous
welcome. And I want to say what a' privilege it is to join you
for this occasion.
In particular, let me say a word about my traveling
companion
I refer, of course, to Barbara. I can testify
that the Silver Fox wouldn't have missed this evening for all the
paintings in the universe. After all, it was Andrew Mellon who
observed that "Gentlemen prefer bonds."
We gather tonight in America's cathedral of the arts. And
we meet to salute an American art collector, philanthropist,
financier, and public servant.
In that connection, I want to say a special thanks to Paul
Mellon. His generosity has helped create this priceless Gallery.
And he, as much as anyone, will recall how in Herbert Hoover's
-2-
final year as President, a whimsical tale gained popular
currency.
One day, the story went, Hoover was walking down the street
with his Secretary of the Treasury. Suddenly, the President
stopped. "Andy," he said, "I came out this morning without a
cent in my pocket. Lend me a nickel, will you? I want to call
up a friend."
With that, Andrew Mellon paused and reached into his pocket.
"Here's a dime," he said. "Call up both of them."
Well, Andrew Mellon was a friend of art. And, today, he is
making new friends for art across the United States of America.
We see those friends within these halls. In the eyes of a
little girl, entranced by the magic of Degas' [Day-GAHS] Four
Dancers. Or the smile of the elderly woman who finds solace in
Cole's Voyage of Life. Or the two art students who debate, not
always quietly, Jackson Pollock's Lavendar Mist. To them -- to
us -- these works span the generations. For art is timeless; it
enhances the gentler impulses of mankind.
In an abiding sense, Andrew Mellon embodied those impulses.
Yes, he did well -- among our greatest Secretaries of the
Treasury; a man of enormous wealth and power. But, more
importantly, let us remember: He also did good.
-3-
Yes, shy and soft-voiced, Andrew Mellon was modest,
unassuming. But few men have done more to make America a better,
more decent place.
To this captain of industry, philanthropy spoke of justice,
involvement, and love of country. For he believed charity to be
among the highest planes of patriotism. Above all, Andrew Mellon
knew that we are a nation, and a family. And fifty-two years
ago, he donated his collection, and built this building, for us,
as members of that family.
Today, more than ever, this collection remains America's
family heirloom. And it shows too that in judging art, believe
me, everyone's an expert.
W.W. Woolcott rhymed, for instance: "In part I pull no
highbrow stuff; I know what I like, and that's enough."
Less lyric, but more acerbic, was Mark Twain.
years
ago, he observed, "If the old masters had labeled their fruit,
one wouldn't be so likely to mistake pears for turnips."
And, finally, let me recall how a kindergarten teacher once
conducted a psychological test. How? By setting her students to
work carving soap.
-4-
"What are you working on?" she asked one student. "A
panda," the child replied. A second girl responded, "Dog."
Well, finally, the teacher came to a lad whose work defied
description. "What's this?" she asked. "Soap flakes," said he.
See what I mean? When it comes to art, like politics,
there's no mistaking our opinions. Well, when it comes to the
Mellon Collection, there's no mistaking America's opinion.
Andrew Mellon never lived to see the dedication of this
building. But his spirit lives today. It reaffirms America's
decency and kindness. And it celebrates what Franklin Roosevelt,
dedicating this gallery, termed "the relation between the whole
people of this country, and the old inherited tradition of the
arts."
My friends, to enhance our country and ennoble that
tradition -- this is our continuing mission as Americans. So let
us meet it, and thereby honor Andrew Mellon. And let us help art
enrich America -- so that America can enrich the world.
Thank you for inviting me, and for this wonderful evening.
God bless you, and God bless America.
#
#
#
#