The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-08-04
WHITTIER.
w III Eh.
(Report for Glass ID by +. H.


have selected for my subject John Greenleaf
Whittier, dear to American hearts as the QUAKER
Bard" Of New England. With the exception of
Longfellow, Whittier has the highest place
in the affections of his fellow countrymen. But by
no means is the homage paid him confined within
the limits of his own native land; but wherever
the English language is spoken there is the of
Whittier loved and revered as the lover of the
lowly. and the champion of the oppressed Whit
tier was born December H. 1907, at Haverhill
Mass. he received a common school education
supplemented by a two years course at the Haver
hill Academy. With this equipment he began the
career that was destined to make him one of the
most honored and loved of American poets. He
was born and raised on New England farm. and
while yet lad was taken from the pillow to the
newspaper desk by William Lloyd Garrison. to
whose paper. the Free Press. he contributed the
first fruits Of his literary abors. Whittier tried
his hand at journalism to good purpose, for as ed
itor of the New England Review, the Pennsyl.
vania Freeman and the Haverhill Gazette, and a
contributor to other leading anti slavery journals
he did much for the cause of the abolition of slav
cry in the United States. Whittier is above all, the
poet Of freedom, and his songs against slavery. so
fiery and rich in eloquence, may be counted
among MS pest WORKS. lie Is peculiarly and
wholly American, not only by birth. but in spirit
and thought; having never quilted New England
either in person or spirit. his poems abound in
legends of Indian tribes tales of the early settlers
and incidents and sayings of the revolutionary
period. However closely his limitations as poet
may be drawn by competent critics the charms of
his poetic individuality none the less positive
Above all the dominant note in Whittier's poetry
is that of sweet simple, religious faith. 1t has
been claimed by some critics that Whittier has
been spoiled poet by his moral teachings, yet
not one of poets has been truer to his mission
a mission defined by Principal Sharp. who says
at is to awaken men to the devne side of things
to bear witness to the beauty that clothes the
outer world, the nobility that lies hid, often OBJ.
scured, in human souls; to call forth sympathy
for neglected truths, for noble and oppressed per.
sons, for downtrodden causes; and to make men
feel that through all outward beauty and all pure
inward affection God himself is addressing them"
From our text book get but too brief sketch
of Whittier, and if we're to rely this for our
knowledge of him, we should only know him as
the artist in verse. Mr.. Beers gives him but little
more than passing notice. and treats only the
more strictly literary and artistic side of his sub.
ject AS to Whittier's personality. he is described
by those who are intimately acquainted with him,
as charming host and fascinating conversation.
alist, he is very modest; and it is said that he is
surprised at his fame, and can seldom be induced
to appear in public. Although Quaker and ad.
herring to the faith of his fathers yet he does not