Title: John Newton Johnson to Walt Whitman, 8 May 1888
Date: May 8, 1888
Whitman Archive ID: loc.02409
Source: The Charles E. Feinberg Collection of the Papers of Walt Whitman, 1839–1919, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
Contributors to digital file: Marie Ernster, Amanda J. Axley, and Stephanie Blalock
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Mid Alabama1
May 8, 1888
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Few are aware how the great Literature penetrates all, gives hue to all, shapes aggregates and individuals, and, after subtle ways, with irresistible power, constructs, sustains, demolishes at will.
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Printed by the HALF LOAF
Correspondent:
John Newton Johnson was a
self-styled philosopher from rural Alabama whom Whitman described as "a good
affectionate fellow, a sort of uncut gem." There are about thirty letters from
Johnson in the Charles E. Feinberg Collection, but unfortunately there are no
replies extant, although Whitman wrote frequently for a period of approximately
fifteen years. When Johnson wrote for the first time on September 13, 1874, he was forty-two, "gray as a rat," a former Rebel
soldier with an income between $300 and $400 annually, though before the
war he had been "a youthful 'patriarch.'" He informed Whitman that during the
past summer he had bought Leaves of Grass and, after a
momentary suspicion that the bookseller should be "hung for
swindling," he discovered the mystery of Whitman's verse, and "I assure
you I was soon 'cavorting' round and asserting that the $3 book was worth
$50 if it could not be replaced. (Now Laugh)." He offered either to sell
Whitman's poetry and turn over to him all profits or to lend him money. In the
letter he enclosed a gold dollar: "So much grand poetry nearly kills me with the
pain of delight." Characteristically, he concluded his letter with an unexpected
question: "Walt! Are you Orthodox or Universalist? I am Materialist of late." On
October 7, 1874, after describing
Guntersville, Ala., he commented: "Orthodoxy flourishes
with the usual lack of flowers or
fruit." His amusingly detailed description of his
face on November 7, 1875, Whitman marked in red
crayon. Thus Johnson became a self-designated philosophical jester to amuse
Whitman. See also Charles N. Elliot, Walt Whitman as Man, Poet
and Friend (Boston: Richard G. Badger, The Gorham Press, 1915),
125–130.
1. This postal card is addressed: Walt Whitman | Camden | New Jersey. It is postmarked: CAMDEN, N.J. | MAY | 11 | 8AM | [Rec'd]. Johnson has written his address and the date on the verso of the postal card, above Whitman's address. [back]
2. Johnson has printed on the postcard passages from Whitman's poetry, including "By Blue Ontario’s Shore" (Sections 8 and 9), "For You O Democracy," and "I Dream'd in a Dream." [back]