Wichita eagle., 1888-05-02
ABOUT JOHN SWINTON.
A JOURNALIST WHO SACRIFICED
HIMSELF FOR AN IDEA.

Denying Himself the Necessaries OF Life
emily Strange Medley of Contradic-
tions-Personal Anecdotes.
The much writing about John Swinton has
not got at the heart of what kind Of q man
he is a great deal of sympathy is felt in
New York for the old man, for he has long
been the only real or apparent Frenchnlan II,
an American skin over here He has repre-
sented enough earnestness. on the one hand,
and enough bounce, on the other, TO make or
decorate a striking personality-while he has
also satisfied demand for comedy as well as
supplied an example Of intensity. There viii
have to be day of Judgment to settle
whether John Swinton's communism is rod
hot conviction or form of cultivated ego
tisrn, which has become freak or a fanst.-
cism. The matter is, however, not SO import
ant as the fact that the old man was at any
time ready TO die for bis fad-if death could
De inflicted in g properly dramatic manner
and, more's the pity, has almost starved for
It. l do not desire to figure as Irelawny
who would lift the shroud of dead genius to
De able to tell the world which was the club
loot that the vanity OF the son of tie gods
concealed i'll lis life time. The reason for IL
locating the sacrifices TO which John Swinton
has subjected himself for an idea is that al
instance of endurance may be shown from
which human nature may draw lesson.
Your readers know that the mans paper l.
dead; that it died Tor want of support; that
its death proves that labor will not labor 70
help its championship this Is known.
FROM WEALTH TO POVERTY
Not known are these facts: The old man
began publishing that paper when he lived in
a mansion replete with treasures of art and
literature and with uses which wealth has
for all the wants and the taste. A French
chef ministered to the epicurean palates which
the hospitable master invited around him.
Statesmen, reformers. beauties, moraiists and
at times the princes of states and of churches
were his guests. For long months past he
has lived in one room in a tenement among
the slums. his food not costing 81 a week and
not worth half that little, depicting himself
in body that the paper might go on: earning
5000 by magazine article on something he
was Indifferent about that he might issue
thoughts which he was tremendously moved
about. Il will dine you for a si1pence, but il
you want me to write for you my terms will be
$50 a column; it will bring out my next
ISSUE" he would say. An income of over
$4,000 year and a fortune which at least
five figures would be needed TO express, house,
furniture, horses, wines clothes, last of all
the beloved books, have gone to sustain an
idea, and the idea was wind.
John Swinton had to stop. He could starve
his stomach and deny his mind as long as he
could get together enough to pay the printer,
but when that failed he ceased. No one sut-
fered loss but himself. The theories of the
man were visionary and destructive, but he
was the safest conduit for them there was
He would denounce property without being
able to remove the conviction of every body
that he was the kindest old man in the world
He would roar like Etna but the birds would
not fly away when he walked by them. He
would emit fire and slaughter, but his wallet
would be turned inside out to the first beggar.
He would advocate communism and practice
1t by loading up gamins with presents New
4ork knew him as stage quantity whose
heart was as gentle as summer The amount
of verbal vehemence that had to be got off
sounded in him like the demons tenpins
among the mountains or scintilIated around
and within him like the lightning of July
twilight; but the noise was only noise and the
lightning struck nothing but his pocketbook.
A FEW PERSONAL ANECDOTES.
The old man was a conservative force,
discounted thunderbolt, and did not seem to
know it. He came, as he thought, unto his
own, and they received him not. They unto
whom he cast pearls turned and rended him.
He viii find harbor hence he went forth to
raise storm and encounter shipwreck.
Nv hat were you doing that afternoon on
that eorner!r asked Mr. Fullerton of him
when witness on the Beecher trial.
"Musing on the infinite" was the answer
that came quick as a fash, straight as q rife
ball and hard as a rock. That cross examina-
ton was not continued.
"Did you ever taste that kind of wine be-
before, Swinton?" asked A T. Stewart of
him at a dinner once in the Thirty fourth
street palace, as the host doled out the least
OF; of a rare vintage.
Yes, twice; once with Antonelli aud once
with Bismarck, and both times in larger
9 glasses" was the reply.
1t was Swinton who gravely proposed to
discuss in Madison square garden with Will
liam II. Vanderbilt the latter's right to his
millions to the sheer CONSERVATION OF that
man, and somewhat to his apprehension 1t
was Swinton against whom Depew "braced
himself" for the debate at the Nineteenth
Century club, and it was Swinton who at
hat club spoke only such honeyed words Of
he allowances which ought TO he made for
'ich men that Depew's prepared arguments
we're kicks against nothing.
He thought Ia show my teeth, but my |
peech was sustained kiss chucklingly e1- |
claims the Old man. The casemaker was |
lowhere," be adds
He has learned that natural conditions viii |
lot bend to aid poor or rich; that ingratitude |
plant that can grow il the Sums as well /
IS on the avenue; that the confederation Of /
orces, the conservation OF powers, the union |
# energy, skill and interests that that go by |
he name of corporations. syndicates, com |
'anies, trusts and the like are a law CT the |
utilization of the time; be has learned his /
essen, but sweet, strong and hopeful In him /
e. is the indomitable heart OF Armand |
licbelieu. New York Cor. Brooklyn Eagle. |
Haven. the Club Instinct.