The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1881-01-30
The Poetry OF the Future.

Walt Whitman, in the North American Re
pielo for February, discusses this subject with
Carlylean vigor and breadth OF Imagination which
will make his article n memorable one to all who are
endowed with the poetic instinct 1t Is hard to quote
such writer, but we best describe his thought
in his own glowing language:
InHnite are the and orbic traits waiting to be
launched forth In the Ornament that Is and is to be-
America. Lately. have wondered whether the last
meaning of this cluster OF thirty eight States is not
only practical fraternity among themselves-the only
real union tmuch nearer Its accomplishment, too,
the whole gobe-that dazzling, pensive dream of
ages Indeed, the peculiar glory OF our lands, have
come to see or expect to see not IN their geographical
military or naval power, nor special eminent names
in any department. to shine wih outshinc foreign
more In vaster, saner, more splendid Comradeship.
uniting closer and closer not only the American
States, but all nations, and all humanity That. o
poets Is not that theme worth chanting, striving
for? Why not FIX your henceforth to the gauge
Of the round globe the whole racer Perhaps the most
ustIious elimination Of the modern may thus prove
to he signal growth OF joyous exalted bards OF
adhesiyeless. identcally one In SOUL but contributed
by every nation. each after Its distinctive kind. Let
still deeply plan, seeking advantages, proposing
treaties between governments, and TO bind them, on
Papsr what l seek is different ,s%1plsr would
formulas-internatiOnal poems. have thought that
the invisible root out Of which the poetry deepest ill.,
and dearest to, humanity grows, Is Friendship.
have thought that both In patriotism and song eveD
amid their grandest shows pasD we have adhered too
long to petty limits, and that the time has come to
Sun, the rule and demesne of poetry will always be
not the exterior, but the Interior; not the acrocosip,
anything about the imperative need OF Of giant
bards In the future, TO hold up high to eyes of land
and race the eternal antiseptic models and to daunt.
Witness and tyranny whose roots die. (my
opinion is that after all the rest is advanced that Is
what first class poets are for to their days and
casions, The Hebrew WRISTS, Roman Juyenal, and
doubtless the old singers OF India and the British
Druids) America-ineasureess corruption In poll
ties, what we call religion q mere mask OF or
iace for ensemble, that most cankerons offensive of
all earth's shows-a vast and varied community,
ducts and business ventuies-Plenty OF mere intel
lcctuaity too-and then utterly without tho sound
prevailing moral and aesthetic healili-action beyond
all the money and mere Intellect OF the world.
is II dream Of mine that In times to come West,
South, East North viii silently, surely arise race
OF poets. varied, yet one In sounor only poets, and
OF the best, but newer larger prophes-larger than
udea's, and more passionate-to meet and penetrate
As write the last fifth OF the nineteenth century is
entered upon, and will soon bs waning Now, and for
long time come. what the United States most need
precedented material wealth, industrial products,
education by rote merely great popuousness aud In
San ,s ,a as Is ahe 'cnfa sSa e , 90,
born and bred teachers, artists, terateurs
tolerant and receptive of importations, but entirely
adjusted to the West to ourselves to our own days.
purports, combinations differences, superiorties.
Indeed, am fond OF thinking that the whole series
OF concrete and political riuphs of the republic are
mainly as bases and preparations for half o dozen
rstate future poets ideal personalities, referring
not to special class but to the entire people, -four oi
hve millions OF square miles.
For conclusion, a passing thought, contrast, nj
him who In my opiuio continues and stands FOR III,
Shakespearcan cultus at the present. day among al
English writing peopes-of Tennyson, his poetry
find II impossible as taste the sweetness of thes,
lines, to escape the flavor the conviction, the lush
rpening elimination, and last honey of decay a dar,
not call II rotenness) Of that 1eudalism which tn,
mighty English dramatsi painted IN all the splendOrs
Its and afternoon. Aud how they are chanted-
both poets Happy those kings and mobiles to be 5,
sung, SO told 10 run their course-to get their deed
and shapes In lasting pigments-the very ponp ant
dazzle OF the sunset
Meanwhile democracy waits the coming Of Its hard,
In silence and In twiigh-but It's the twilight OF ia,
dawn.