FEINBERG/WHITMAN LITERARY FILE SPEECH FILE "In Memory of Thomas Paine" (Oct 2, 1876). A. MS. S draft. Box 35 Folder 75[*241*] 1876 2 October In Memory of Thomas Paine: prose. A.MS.s. (6p. 20 3/4 x 13 3/4 cm., mounted on 28 1/2 x 19 cm. sheets) Written in ink, with a few of the corrections in pencil, on one side of white sheets of paper, with a notation on the verso of page 6 (For the inauguration of the Thos: Paine bust / written out in the woods Kirkwood (White Horse / NJ / Oct 2 '76. / WW /), and with a rubber stamp on the mounted sheet (Autograph Collection of Dr. Max Thorek Chicago), about 995 words (the address was spoken at Lincoln Hall, Philadelphia, 28 January 1877, for the 140th anniversary of Paine's birth, and published in Specimen Days): Some 35 years ago, in New York City, at Tammany Hall, of which place I was then a frequenter, I [Some 35 years ago, in New York City, I was] happen'd to be- come quite well acquainted with Thomas Paine's perhaps most intimate chum, and certainly later years very frequent companion -- a remarkably fine old man, Col. Fellows, who may yet be remembered by some stray relicts of that [please and] period and spot. [I used to][see the Colonel at Tammany Hall, of which I was thena frequenter,] If you allow me I will [I might] first give [some a] a descrip- tion of the Colonel himself. He was tall, of military bearing, aged about 75 I should think, hair thick & white a snow, clean- shaved on the face, dress'd very neatly, a tail coat of blue cloth with metal buttons, buff vest, pantaloons of drab color, and his neck, breast and wrist showing [faultless white] the whitest of linen. [Always] Under all circumstances, fine manners: a good but not profuse / talker, [and with all] his wits still fully about him, balanced and live and undimmed as ever. He kept pretty fair health, though so old, [He and [?][?][?]] for employment, [he] --for he was poor--had a post as constable of some of the upper courts, --[for he the Colonel was] [poor, and the small little insome it the post brought him was not] [only welcome but indispensable]. I used to think him very picture- esque on the fringe of a crowd, holding [his] a tall staff, himself [& straight himself] straight as it, with his erect form, & his su- perb, bare, thick-hair'd [but] closely[cropt white head. The judge and the young lawyers, with whom he was [always a great] ever a fav- orite, and the subject of respect, used to call him Aristides. It was the general opinion among them that if [pure integrity] manly[**243 (2 **] rectitude & the instincts of [perfect] absolute justice remained vital anywhere about [the] New York City Hall, or Tammany, they [**[??]**] were to found in Col. Fellows. He liked young men, & enjoyed to leisurely talk with them over a social glass / [**3**] of toddy, after his day's work, (he never, on these occasions, drank but one glass,) and it was at reiterated meetings of this kind, in Old Tammany's back parlor of those days, that he told me [all] much about Thomas Paine. [He was even present at the time] [of Paine's death, and] At one of [these] our interviews he gave me a minute account of that event, and of [the sickness that proceded] [it.] Paine's [death, at which he was present] sickness & death. In short, from [these] [those] talks [and from other sources and confirma] [tions then and since], I was and am satisfied that my old friend, [from out of] with his marked advantages, had mentally, morally and emotionally [fully] gauged the author of Common Sense, and [as he] [gave] besides giving me a good portrait of his appearance and manners, had taken the true measure not only of [his the man's] his exterior but interior character. [That Paine served These Sates, in the fact of the nativity] Paine's [personal] general demeanor, & much of his theoretical244 belief, was a mixture [of] from the French and English schools of a century ago, and the best of both. / 4 Like most old-fashioned people, he drank a glass or two every day, but was no tippler, nor intemperate, let alone being a drunkard. He [dress'd and] lived simply and economically, but quite well- was always cheery and courteous, [but] perhaps occasionally a little blunt having very positive opinions upon politics, religion, &c. that he [served] labored well & wisely for These States, in the [fact] trying period of their [nativity] parturition, & in the seeds of their character, there seems to me no question. I dare not say how much of what our Union is [now] owning and enjoying to-day -- its independence- its ardent belief in, and substantial practice of, radical human rights -- and the severance of ots government from all ecclesiastical [or] superstitious dominion -- I dare not say how much of all this is owing to Thomas Paine, but I am inclined to think a good portion of it decidedly is. / 5 But I was not going either into an analysis [statement] or eulogium of the man. I wanted to ventilate a very earnest and I believe authentic opinion, nay conviction, of that time [from the] the fruit of the interviews I have mention'd and [from] a question 245 (3 ing and cross-questioning, [that] clenched by my best information since, that Thomas Paine had a noble[, plain, clean, candid fine] Personality, as exhibited in [his] presence, face, voice, dress, manners, & what may be call'd his atmosphere and [manners] magnetism [the] especially the last years of his life. I am sure of it. [There] [are] Of the [several] foul and foolish fictions yet [circulating kept] [up] told [in print] about [his last hours, but] the circumstances of his decease, the [proved and certain absolute] fact is that as he lived a good life after its kind, he died calmly and philosophically, as became him. He served the embryo Union with most precious service-- 6 --a service that every man, woman and child in [the] our Thirty- Eight States is to some extent receiving the benefit of to-day-- and I for one here cheerfully and reverently throw my pebble on the cairn of his memory. As we all know, the season demands-- [The season seems to demand--nay], --or rather, will it ever be out of season? --[for] that America [to] learn better dwell on her choisest possession, the legacy of her good & faithful men--[to] that she well preserve their [names] fame, if unquestioned--or, if need be, [to] that she fail not scatter [wh] what clouds have intruded on [their] that fame, & burnish it [to] newer [brighter glory] truer, brighter, continually. 6[24511?] A proof of the address on a sheet of paper, with two lines in WW's hand in upper right corner: Phil- Jan 28 - '77 (in blue pencil) Tom Paine (in pencil) Also a column clipped from The Times, Philadelphia, 29 January 1877, headed: Tom Paine's Birthday. Homage from Walt Whitman. The Poet and Author of "Leaves of Grass Throws a Pebble on the Cairn of the Author of "The Age of Reason." The column reports the meeting in Lincoln Hall, Philadelphia, celebrating the 140th birthday of Paine, tells us that Whitman 'has aged rapidly within the last few years'. The poet sat in a chair and read his address, the full text of which is here printed for the first time, the day after he gave it.WHITMAN, Walt. Autograph manuscript, signed (W.W.) "For the inauguration of the Thomas Paine bust." 6 pages, 4to. Kirkwood, White Horse, N.J., October 2, 1876. Some 35 years ago, in New York City, at Tammany Hall, of which place I was then a frequenter, I happen'd to become well acquainted with Thomas Paine's perhaps most intimate chum, and certainly later years very frequent companion a remarkably fine old man, Col. Felllows, who may yet be remembered by some stray relicts of that period and spot. If you will allow me I will first give a description of the Colonel himself. He was tall, of military bearing, aged about 75 I should think, hair thick & white as snow, clean shaved on the face, dress'd very neatly, a tail coat of blue cloth with metal buttons, buff vest, pantaloons of drab color, and his neck, breast and wrists showing the whitest of linen. Under all circumstances, fine manners; a good but not profuse talker, his wits still fully about him, balanced and live and undimmed as ever. He kept pretty fair health thoughso old & for employment for he was poor, he had a post as constable of some upper courts. I used to think him very picturesque on the fringe of a crowd, holding a tall staff himself with his erect form, and his superb bare, thick- hair'd closely-cropt white head. The judges Page 2. and the young lawyers, with whom he was ever a favorite, and the subject of respect, used to call him Aristides. It was the general opinion among them that if manly rectitude & the instincts of absolute justice remained vital anywhere about New York City Hall, or Tammany, they were to be found in Col. Fellows. He liked young men & enjoyed to leisurely talk with them over a social glass of toddy after his day's work, (he never on these occasions drank but one glass.) and it was at reiterated meetings of this kind in old Tammany's back parlor of those days that he told me much about Thomas Paine. At one of our interviews he gave me a minute account of Paine's sickness and death. In short from those talks I was and am satisfied that my old friend with his marked advantages had mentally, morally and emotionally gauged the author of Common Sense and besides giving me a good portrait of his appearance and manners had taken the true measure not only of his exterior but interior character. Paine's general demeanor and much of his theoretical belief, was a mixture of the French and English schools of a century ago, and the best of both. Like most old fashioned people, he drank a glass or two every day, but was no tippler, nor imtemp[e]erate, let alone being a drunkard. He lived simply and economically, but quite well -- was always cheery and courteous, perhapsPage 3. occasionally a little blunt, having very positive opinions upon politics, religion, &c. That he labored well and wisely for These States, in the trying period of their parturition & in the seeds of their character, there seems to me no question. I dare not say how much of what our Union is owning and enjoying today--its independence--its ardent be- lief in, and substantial practise of radical human rights-- and the severance of its government from all ecclesiastical and superstitiious dominon--I dare not say how much of all this is owing to Thomas Paine, but I am inclined to think a good portion of it decidedly is. But I was not going [into] either an analysis or eulogium of the man. I wanted to ventilate a very ear- nest and I believe authentic opinion, nay conviction of that time, the fruit of the interviews I have mention'd and questioning and cross-questioning, clenched by my best information since, that Thomas Paine had a noble Personality, as exhibited in presence, face, voice, dress, manners & what may be called his atmosphere and magnetism, especially the last years of his life. I am sure of it. Of the foul and foolish fictions yet told about the circumstances of his decease, the fact is that as he lived a good life after its kind, he died calmly and philos- ophically as became him. He served the embryo Union with most precious service--a service that every man, woman andPage 4. child in our Thirty-Eight States is to some extent receiving the benefit of today--and I for one here cheerfully and reverently throw my pebble on the cairn of his memory. As we all know, the season demands--or tather will it be ever out of season? that America learn better to dwell on her choicest possession, the legacy of her good and faithful men--that she well preserve their fame if unquestioned- or, if need be, that she fail not to scatter what clouds have intruded on that fame & burnish it newer, truer, brighter continually. For the inauguration of the Thomas Paine bust Written out in the woods Kirkwood White Horse N.J. Oct. 2 '76 W.W. MANUSCRIPT OF WALT WHITMAN THOMAS PAINE[ENGRAVING] THOMAS PAINE Engraved by James Godby from an Original Drawing done from the Life in America 1803. London Published as the Act directs. May 21 1805 Autograph Collection Dr. Max Thorek Number Name Whitman, Walt Profession American Poet Born 1819 Died 1892 Date of Document October 2, 1876. Contents of Folder Autograph Manuscript, signed "For the inauguration of the Thomas Paine bust." 6 pp., 4to. Transcription. Portrait, of Whitman, signed. Portrait of Thomas Paine. Biography. Note: A magnificent manuscript, most likely the only work of the greatest of American poets on Thomas Paine, who was so villified and calumniated in his lifetime. Whitman, himself attacked and smeared writes a noble tribute to a great man to whom America owes so much. WALT WHITMAN (1819-1892) Greatest of American poets, one of the literary giants of the 19th century, whose poetry has played a vital role in the American renaissance and whose influence has been immense and continuous, was born in Long Island and lived much of his first thirty years in Brooklyn. He was in turn, school teacher, printer, tramp and newspaper reported and editor. In the early 1840's he made numerous journeys on foot in the West and into Canada which gave him a vision of the immensity of America and the dignity and value of the individual living in a state of such natural riches. His fame rests mainly upon his masterpiece, LEAVES OF GRASS, the first edition of which appeared in 1855, anonymously. Literally he worked on this volume of poems all his life, for it constantly reappeared in new editions with additions and corrections so that the slim folio of 1855 became a stout octavo by the time of his death. During the Civil War he served as a male nurse in the army hospitals of Washington and ruined his health. He was dismissed from the Interior Department for writing LEAVES AND GRASS and later served in the Treasury until his health broke down in 1873. He then lived in Camden, N.J. his fame growing, first in Europe and then more slowly in America. A giant among men. [ENGRAVING][ENGRAVING] Walt WhitmanSome 35 years ago, in New York City, at Tammany Hall, of which place I was then a frequenter. I [Some 35 years ago in New York city.] I happen'd to become [was] quite well acquainted with Thomas Paine's perhaps most intimate chum, and certainly later years very frequent companion, a[s] remarkably fine old man, Col. Fellows, who may yet be remembered by some stray relicts of that [place and ] period and spot. If you will allow me I will, first give a description of the Colonel himself. [I used to see the Colonel at Tammany Hall, of which I was then a frequenter.] He was tall, of military bearing, aged 75 I should think, hair, thick & white as snow, clean shaved on the face, dress'd very neatly, a tail coat of blue cloth with metal buttons, buff vest, pantaloons of drab color, and his neck, breast and wrists showing [faultless white] the whitest of linen. [Always] Under all circumstances, fine manners; a good but not profuse2 talker, [and with] [all] his wits still fully about him, balanced and live and undimmed as ever. He kept pretty fair health though so old, & for employment for he was poor [He] had a post as constable of some of the upper courts-[for the colonel] [he] [was poor] [and the] [little] [small income] [the post] [it] [brought him was not only welcome but indis pensable.] I used to think him very picturesque on the fringe of a crowd holding [his] a tall staff himself [& straight, with] straight as it, with his erect form, & his superb, bare thick hair'd [but] closely cropt white head. The judges and the young lawyers, with whom he was [always] [a great] ever a favorite, and the subject of respect, used to call him Aris- tides. It was the general opinion among them that if [pure integrity] manly rectitude & the instincts of [perfect] absolute justice re- mained vital anywhere about [the] New York City Hall, or Tammany, they were to found in Col. Fellows. He liked young men, & enjoyed to leisurely talk with them over a social glass3 of toddy after his day's work, (he never, on these occasions, drank but one glass,) and it was at reiterated meetings of this kind, in Old Tammany's back parlor of those days, that he told me [all] much about Thomas Paine. [He was even present at the time of Paine's death and] At one of [these] our interviews he gave me a minute ac- count of [that event and of the sickness that preceded it ] Paine's sickness & death [death at which he was present]. In short, from [these] those talks [and from other sources & confirmations then and since] I was and am satisfied that with my old friend with [out of] his marked advantages, had mentally, morally and emotionally [fully] gauged the author of Common Sense and [as he gave] besides giving me a good portrait of his appearance and manners, had taken the true measure not only of [his] [the man's] his exterior but interior char- acter. [That Paine served Those States, in the fact of their nativity,] Paine's general [personal] demeanor & much of his theoretical belief, was a mixture [of ] from the French and English schools of a century ago, and the best of both.4 Like most old fashioned people, he drank a glass or two every day, but was no tippler, nor intemperate, let alone being a drunkard. He [dressed] lived simply and economically, but quite well - was always cheery and courteous, [but] perhaps occasionally a little blunt, having very positive opinions upon politics, religion &c. That he labored well and wisely for [served] These States in the trying period [fact] of their parturition [nativity] & in the seeds of their character, there seems to me no question. I dare not say how much of what our Union is [now] owning and enjoying to-day- its independence- its ardent belief in, and substantial practice of, radical human rights- and the severance of its government from all ecclesiastical [or] and superstitious dominion— I dare not say how much of all this is owning to Thomas Paine, but I am inclined to think a good portion of it decidedly is.5 But I was not going either into an analysis, [statement] or eulogium of the man. I wanted to ventilate a very earnest and I believe authentic opinion, nay conviction, of that time. The [from those] fruit of the interviews, I have mentioned and [from] of questioning and cross-questioning, [that] clenched by my best information since, that Thomas Paine had a noble,[, plain, clean, candid fine] Personality, as exhibited in [his] presence, face, voice, dress, manners, & what may be called his atmosphere and [manners] magnetism, [the] especially the last years of his life. I am sure of it. [There are several] Of the foul and foolish fictions yet [circulating] [ kept up] told [ in print] about [ his last hours, but] the circumstances of his decease the [proved and certain] [absolute] fact is that as he lives a good 'life after its kind', he died calmly and philosophically, as became him. He served the embryo Union with most [a] precious service.6 - a service that every man, woman and child in [the] our Thirty Eight States is to some extent receiving the benefit of to-day - and I for one here cheerfully and reverently throw my pebble on the cairn of his memory. As we all know the season demands - [The season seems to demand-] [nay] or rather, will it even be out of season? - -[for] that America [to] learn better dwell on her choicest possession, the legacy of her good & faithful men — [to] that she well preserve their [names] fame, if unquestioned -- or, if need be, [to] that she fail not [to] scatter [wit] what clouds have intruded on [their] that fame, & burnish it [to] newer [brighter glory.] truer, continually brighter..For the inauguration of the Thos: Paine bust written out n the woods. Kirkwood (White Horse) NY Oct 2 '76 W W Autograph Colletion of Dr. Max Thorek Chicago