New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-15
WHTTM1NS ~LE4VES OF GRASS
MOVEMENT IN PHILADELPHIA TO SUPPRESS THE
WORK-OPINION OF A PROMINENT CLERGYMAN.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEJ

lBr TELEGRAPH TO TRIBUSE.l
PHILADELPHIA, July 14.-SimultaneOusly
with the announcement Of the temperance Thurs
day Of Walt whitman's Leaves OF Grass" from the
Of Rees, Welsh & Co., book publishers OF this
city, the that the Philadelphia Society
for the Suppression OF Vice and immortality
are preparing to anticipate the issue Of the
much maligned book by endeavor to have it placed
under the category OF obscene literature thus to
its circulation through the mails The Of
opinions that has been waged during the past
few months over the morals OF this work
Is likely to become iercer, particularly in
religious circles. when becomes generally known that
an eminent clergyman Of this city denOunces the con
tempated action the part the society and main
tains that Leaves Of Grass is entitled TO
free and unrestraned circulation throughout
the country. The gentleman who takes such
heterodOx view Of the character OF the good gray poets
production is the Rev. Mr. Morrow pastor Of the Taoer
nace Methodist Episcopal Church Mr. Morrow, besides
his eminence preacher, is renowned for his
bold expressions Of opinion his Christianity being OF
the robust type that dscountenances bigouy IN
religion and prudery social life. few days ago the
publishers Of the forthcoming edition OF the Leaves
requested Mr.. Morrow to write review OF the book
when issued. That gentleman is now entertaining the
proposition. but for various reasons has not
as yet given any definite answer. Speaking
yesterday on the subject Of the vice socieys measure
Of interference and his position in regard to the
The members of this society my friends and its
work is my work; but in this particular in
stance l think they have made mistake
Walt Whitman and virile, but not obscene In
his poetry he attempts to carry ont certain ideas OF his
Own-ideas that may not be consOnant with accepted
notions OF morality but which, with MIN, are conYlc
lions. He believes that the human form in all
It's parts and functions should be made commonplace
theme social intercourse and two of his poems
are opponents Of this belief 1t may be that this j. TOO
radical subyersion Of popular opinions IL would
probably not be conducive to morality were
the secrets OF the dissecting-table known to
every gamin but they serve their purpose IN
boOk. Ii reached persons Of every age ana an con
ditOns OF mind TIE effect wonld undoubtedly be
thar cannot lind circulation. because H can be
appreciated oJ Ouy tne cVupsla1', Sy ,,.iv All
its own level and circulation would be limited 10 tha
level Ina tnis conncctiy n question occurs askcd
io' 49,, 80, hi,.if io heiisve i'm the uude mn
art My him was that believed IN IL 80 iar
highest type OF art Is found III the nude figure,
while at the same time It Is mace 20 sup
serve the lowest purposes OF gestInltyi Ills Is
and In this accept Wuimln's ideas IN part would
saw rhot men and women TOO, should be Omed 10
such forms Of art from early youth Let them become
familiarized with IL from early cnlldhOod'
+ daprecate the attempt 10 suppress the cir
cula o book Of this character and fear il will not
have the effect intended. In England where Nll
mans Leaves OF Grass IL looked upon as one OF
the endeavo suppress the book Is regarded with as
constituent. exponent or "A peculiar form OF
Thought 10 entitled 70 place IN Amerc IN literature
and as SUCH its publication should be unrestricted:
have no the present time 70 become ldtlJueu
with either side in the hght winch Is
y9u ask me what I think of the book from
a moral point OF view, / would say
that ID il neither lewd Obscene not ont that 10
the minds many readers 1t may appear 40 AID be So
That depends largely upon the purpose for which 10 Is
read The obnoxious poems believe were LOT written
IN a spirit OF lewdness, -, .
say that it should be read in the spirit that
in which il was written, and encouragement to
immortality. l give Whitman credit for attempting To
formulate thoughts which are 10 hm earnest
- doubtful passages differ from those IN Shakespeare
and other poets IN That the latter are pres
sour Of current notions OF the lnOranIy OI the
dav while Whtrau's are expressions OF his ideas
and are at variance with present conceptions OF morality
I should not however, for my own Use want one
nus I'M his book eVpurgdted. But II wanted my daugh-
ter TO read II would eXpurgaJe many passages. now
Won can understand fOr deenluS III UNIV $50
TO su ppress toe work II Is book which can only cir
culafe where the contents Will be dsested by mature
minds and where It's capabilities Tor moral injury are