OCR Text |
Show 402 »As well whitewash the storm-stained face of El Capitan or gild the domes," growled Muir. (Shades of M.C.A.) Johnson preferred to think of Muir as a bronze John the Baptist, perhaps by Donatello. A Muir carved in such a New Testament image was not to be confused with the speaker of the Stormy Sermons, but was to be softened and made reasonable: He was not a "dreamer", but a p r a c t i c a l man, a faithful citizen, a s c i e n t i f i c observer, a writer of enduring power, with vision, poetry, courage in a contest, a heart of gold, and a s p i r i t pure and fine. This assortment of v i r t u e s , designed to portray Muir in modernized and smiling aspect, r e s u l t e d from Johnson's own genteel predisposition. It suggests Johnson's idea of the necessary and appropriate q u a l i t i e s of the l a t e nineteenth century progressive conservationist. It became a most effective persona for Muir, precisely because he could be presented in New York and Washington c i r c l e s as the poetic s c i e n t i s t , as the practical visionary, and most important, as the faithful citizen. Here was an image that could work, as the Jeremiah image never could. Just such an image could harmonize with the Programs in environmental education we find represented in our National Parks today, programs which require Federal approval. The Yosemite I n s t i t u t e , for instance, proclaims i t s mission in New' Testament terms: To foster concern for the environment we emphasize a positive approach, feeling that a "doomsday" tone is not effective for our program. Johnson knew t h a t Americans did not want to hear bad news, |