The New York herald., 1875-11-18
Pleasant Letters from the Dead
Poets Living Brothers.
Dust and Mre Swept from the Name OF
the Author Of The Raven"
POETICAL TRIBUTES TO HIS GENIUS.


building, adjoining the churchyard the initial move
taken October, 1865 to devise means
best adapted 10 perpetuate the memory OF who
has contributed largely to American literature. The
day bright and in every respect propitious to
happy completion OF the exercises Before two O'Clock,
the hour or commencing, the vast hall Of the school
house crowded. many unable to obtain seats stand
ing in the aises. The platform was occupied by in
vited guests nearly all of whom citizens of Balt-
more with the exception Of Walt Whitman. who
the only poet present At quarter past two O'Clock
the exercises commenced with the singing OF Verdis
..Pgrims Chorus by the Philharmonic Society," which
was rendered with fine effect after which Professor
william Elliott and delivered historical sketch of
the monument
from poets In reply invitations to be present, by
Miss Sarah S. Rice, then took place, as folows:-
WILLIAM CULLEN
CuMMIHGToN, Mass, Sept IS 1875.
return my thanks for the oblging invitation con-
tanned your letter of the 18th For various reasons,
however, among which is my advanced age it s not in
my 10 be present at the ceremonial Of which
speak and have only TO make my best acknowledge
ments those who have done me the honor 10 think
of me in connection with them am truly yours
Miss S. S RlcE WILLIAM c. BRYANT.
oLIvKR WENDELL HOLMES
Bosros, Sept Is, 1875.
regret that cannot be present at the ceremony of
placing monument the grave of your poet.
Your city has already honored yaor and patriotism by
be ungrateful perhaps because they have short mem
ories, forgetting wrongs as quickly as benefits but
your city has shown that II remember and has
taught us all the lesson of gratitude.
No one, surely needs mausoleum less than the
His monument shall be his gentle verse,
ss to not s y s ssn shall h Ss sse
When all the breat thers Of this world are dead
Yet would not leave him without stone to mark
the spots where the hands that walked to ecsacy the
living Tyre were laid in the dust He who confer
an Immortality which will outlast bronze and granite
deserves this poor tribute not so much Tor his sake
for The hearts of all who reverence the nspira
ton Of genius, who look tenderiy upon the nrmi
ties attending often who feel for tmisfor-
tunes will sympathize with you you gather around
the resting place OF all that mortal OF Edgar Allen
Poe raise the inscribed with OF the few
names which will outlve the craven record raised TO
perpetuae its remembrance Believe me, very truly
YOURS, 0. w. HOLMES.
O.
AMEsBURG, 9th month, 2lst, 1875
The extraordinary genius OF Edgar A Poe is now
knowledged the world over and the proposed tribute
20 his memory indicates full appreciation OF his
intellectual gifts the part of the city OF his BIRTH
AS matter OF principle do not favor ostentatious
monuments for the dead, but sometimes il seems the
only way TO express the appreciation which circum-
stances in some measure may have denied TO the living
man.
am not able to bo present at the inauguration of
the monument Pray express my thanks to the ladies
and gentlemen for whom thy letter speaks for the in
vitation, acknowledging the kind in which that
invitation conveyed thy part am very truly
thy friend, JOHN G. WHITTIER
MARGARET ). PRESTON
3,
THANK you for the good opinion which led you
propose the writing OF poem my part for the pros
pectivc inauguration of the Poe memorial While it is
in my power comply with the 1attcrng request
TO be present at the ceremonial tender TO the
mittee my thanks, nevertheless, for the honor
ferred on me. There would seem to be slight appro-
pratencss IN the proposal made TO me- inasmuch my
husband Colonel Preston, Of the Virginia Military
Collegel a boysh friend OF Poes when they went
TO school together in Richmond who used to sit the
bench with him, and together with him pore
the same pages OF Horace 10 him as his earliest liter
a
bring his first verses Even then, youth he was,
he was distinguished by many OF the characteristics
which marked his after life.
With every good wish for the entire success OF your
memorial services and with renewed thanks TO your
committee for this mark OF regard believe sincerely
yours, hARGAREI j. PRESION.
GODFREY
BROOKLYN, n. Y, Oct. 10, 1875
or all my letters received during long confinement
by sickness yours OF the 18th ult is the first have
tempted TO thank for the kind invitation
TO assist at the Poe monument ceremonies As | can
hope TO be present that avail myself
OF your friendly note to express my interest in the
and my admiration OF the nobehearted men and
women OF Baltimore who by the erection of beauti-
fu and appropriate monument to the memory OF Edgar
A. Poe perform patriotic office which primarily
and peculiarly the duty as II should have been tho
PRIDE Of the American hterdd toward one whose orgi-
nal genius has done much to adorn and distinguish
JOHN GODFREY SAKE.
JOSIAH GILBERT HOLLAND
NEW YORK oct II 1876.
DEAR MApAN-On the 18th OF this month am to be
In Wilmington, Ohio for lecture; aud on the
OF a long Western trip end myself so crowded with
important duties that cannot write the letter
have in my heart very glad The genius O. Poe is
10 be formally rccognizedby ceremony and monument
as has been long appreciated by untold thousands or
people wherever the English language is spoken am
sorry cannot be present at the inaugural ceremonies
but you VIII not miss me shall only miss you and
the loyal throng who viii gather to bring the dead poet
iheir honors Thanking you kindly for your invitation
am, yours truly, j. G. HOLLAND.
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL
CAMBRIDGE, Oct. Is, 1875
regret very much that il Will be quite impossible
for me TO be present Mt the very interesting ceremony
Of unyeing the monument to Poe | need not assure
you that / sympathxc heartily with the sentiment
which led 70 It's erection remain very truly yours,
j. H. LOWELL
TESSYsoS
FARiNGFoRD, FREsHwArRR !
ISLE WIGHT Jan. 81 1875 I
have long been acquaIn ted with Poe's works and
am an admlrer Of them. ! am obliged TO you for your
expressions about myself and your promise of sending
the design for the poets monument and beg you To
believe me yours very truly, A. TENNYSoN
HENRY wADswoRTH LoNGFELLow.
CAMBRIDGE August 90 1875
DEAR MADAm-The only lines oil Mr.. Poe that now
recall in any way appropriate to the purpose you
mention are from poem entitled "For Annie" They
The fever called living
conquered last.
But dare say you will be able to hnd something bet.
s''~' HENRY W. LoNGFELLow
Letters were also read from Thomas Bailey Aldrch
Sarah Helen whitman and L. d. Lewis, Of Brooklyn.
Al the conclusion OF the letters Mrs. Rice read the fol-
towing
POEM BY WILLIAM WINTER.
Cold is the pesn honor sings,
And chill Is glory's icy breath,
Aud pale the garland memory brings
To grace the iron doors OF death.
Fame's echoing thunders, long and lone.
The ponp Of pride that decks the pail,
The plaudits OF the vncant crowd
One word OF love Is worth them all.
With dews Of grief our eyes dim;
Ali let the tear Of start,
And honor, in ourselves and him,
The great and tender human heart
Through many night Of want and
Ills fron1icd spirit wandered wild
Till kind disaster laid him low.
And Heaven reclaimed It's waywnrd child
Through mpny year his famc has grown,
Lake midnight vast. like starlight sweet,
Jill now his genius ills n thIUnc
And nations marvel at Its icet
One need ofjustice long delayed,
one crowning grace his virtues crave;
Al take, thou great aud Injured shade.