John Newton Johnson to Walt Whitman, 5 May 1878

 loc.02406.001_large.jpg Meltonsville Alabama May 5 & 7 1878 To Walt Whitman

I don't [illegible] this letter.

I said a while back, that I should [illegible] writing to you again when I should be "intolerably lonesome"—Well, I am now not lonesome, but somehow, I wish to write.

Plagiarisms—how people sometimes use expressions (words or phrases) without a conscious copying after others who have used the same. Of course it can't be avoided that we shall use (with full originality) the same language often. Perhaps tho', what one has said does form a lodgment in another's mind, and he forgets that he ever received it from an outside source. I am moved to say these things by remembering how I have sometimes in writing to you made use of just such phrases as are in your books—when I was not a bit conscious of copying. Notably, I wrote you a two-page letter (with scrap codicil) on August 14 1875, giving you the "theory of my life". Well, for certain, I did'nt remember you had ever used that phrase—if I had, my humor would probably have prompted me to ask you if it would be necessary for my theory to be abandoned"!

Friends—John Burroughs (in Notes 2nd Edition) actually admits that you W.W. had fault, [damage] 20 years ago I began to say "[damage] to be allowed a few faults"—but to notice/thou) that I claim  loc.02406.002_large.jpg that I have always been a particular person (except some errors of judgment and information) and laziness, laziness. Not [damage] either about physical exertion—only laze about learning or studying. However I now find myself getting so awful lazy about [illegible] proper farm work, that I am alarmed about the consequences.

It seems to me, great and good Mr. Whitman as tho' by your acceptance of me as a favored friend, that I have (the same as) received a Lieutenant's Commission from you—to be a decent, good, exemplary man. And now seeing how my laziness is growing on me so much, the question comes to me thus—will you let me resign my commission?

People would tell you they are convinced beyond all doubt that I wish (and always have) to be just, merciful, truthful, plain, frugal, sober/entirely faithful to principles or methods by which we all can or could be comfortable and happy—but then can W.W. tolerate a slouch, a slouch? I tender you my resignation of the Lieutenant [cut away]. I have always been weak, and [cut away] spare myself, use myself judiciously, but [damage] I am gone.

This will introduce something else. I know something of what has been said against Tom Paine—[damage] blasphemous,  loc.02406.003_large.jpg drunken [damage] prospect of after death".

Well, I trust [damage] work that must enclose the "thing" sought [damage] met with a bold confronting." If he had, if he did, what of it? Shall the true hero get permitted nothing of what seem to be [damage]? shall only the cursed hypocrites and [damage] be permitted to become incensed, to despair, to void everything but freedom or spontaneity?" I have been conjecturing that the two words "spontaneous me" are the greatest of all your writing. Is'nt the gist of all of your/and the [damage]) philosophy and "religion" right there in those two words?

I go abroad (to "town") today, and am pleased at thought of some recreation

I suppose the Radical Review is discontinued—I had thought of suggesting to its publisher the propriety of printing articles in such way that the numbers could be taken to pieces, and each important article presented complete by itself—then I, you, or any one could hand to or pass around among friends or others any piece we would like without injuring other matter. Thus—let every important article possess the whole of any leaf [damage, cut away] any part of it appears.

I have two copies of your poems of the 1871 Edition and I some times wished to take each volume to pieces and pass to acquaintance, that they might [damage] themselves) that the making imitations [damage] papers) or even the genuine short piece [damage] to judge you or yours by.  loc.02406.004_large.jpg With a few explanations and [damage] would progress best to have the [damage] his hands "a little at a time". [damage] obstacle was that the book (1871) was such a big book—so much to confront at once—some pieces I did not read through for a long time. (I believe I would make a splendid commentator on you). If I were rich I would insist that you should let me publish you in small parts with a little of comment or explanation.

Do you know this is human nature—to wish ([damage]) to communicate to others what either hurts us or makes us feel good?

A few (and among them two of my best cousins—J–n's) will never say "I have a head-ache—I have a toothache—I have a trouble—I have a pleasure—I have a book which so pleases me that I can never again be the same man in measured happiness or limited wisdom".

How long before I'll get your next book?

In Democratic Vistas you make too much of sick, wounded men not complaining. I accept howling, crying, cursing at distress the same as shouting for joy. What if a bled man does grin horribly a ghastly [damage] if he still goes bravely ahead all the same?

I am nearly through planting [damage] and generally things are nice. Please [damage] time let me know if you get this—a [damage] is one cent.

J. N. J—