Benjamin R. Tucker to Walt Whitman, 25 May 1882
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Box 3366, Boston,
May 25, 1882.
Mr. Walt Whitman,
Dear Sir,
I am a stranger to you, but have long been an admirer of your writings. Perhaps you
have heard of me as at one time editor of the "Radical Review," which published J.
B. Marvin's admirable essay entitled "Walt Whitman." The action of the Massachusetts
authorities and the cowardice of the Osgoods prompt me to write to you. I am ashamed
of the whole business. What do you propose to do? Some steps should be at once taken
for the republication of your book, from the same plates, in the same locality where
it has been struck down. Is there no one that will undertake it? With able counsel
to conduct the case I do not believe a jury could be
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found in Massachusetts to send the
publisher of "Leaves of Grass" to prison. At any rate the question ought to be tested.
If I had the means, I would gladly, with your permission, put your book on the
market advertised as the suppressed edition, and invite the authorities to dispute
my right to do so. What I will do is this, if nothing better can be done. If you
will find parties to furnish the means for republication from your plates,
advertising the book, and defending it in court, I will become the responsible
publisher, and go to prison if necessary. In case the verdict should be against me
and I should be fined, I should decline to pay the fine. It seems to me highly
important that the people of America should know exactly how far they can safely
indulge in the expression of their opinions. What do you say? If you desire to know
anything about me before 
loc_vm.00435_large.jpg replying to so important a question, you may inquire of S. H.
Morse, Quincy, Mass., the sculptor, whom you know, and who has long been one of my
intimate friends. He does not know of my design in this matter, but he will tell you
that I am thoroughly reliable, and no notoriety-hunter or anything of that kind.
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