The Washington herald., 1907-12-17

One hundred years ago to-day John
Greenleaf Whittier. the Quaker poet,
was born at Haverhill. Mass. and the
event will be observed everywhere in
this country. and particularly In this city.
where the various New England state
associations have made preparations 20
celebrate the day in a manner fitting
the occasion.
Hon. Wendell Phillips Stafford. justice
Of the Supreme Court OF the District. is
an ardent admirer of the Quaker poet.
and viii pay special tribute TO the
memory OF the beloved New England
seer.
Whittiers parents were Quakers. and
he was member OF the Society OF
Friends until his death. His life as a
youth was spent mainly on his fathers
farm. but he early showed a talent for
verse. and published his first poem at
the age Of eighteen years, in the Free
Press. an anti-slavery paper edited by
William Lloyd Garrison
lie Made slippers.
in order to obtain better education.
ne learned the trade of making slippers,
by which he supported himself during
two terms at the Haverhin Academy.
In 1879 Whittier became editor OF the
American Manufacturer published in
Boston. and from 1872 10 1896 lie edited
the Haverhill Gazette His first pubI
cation OF any pretension was his Leg.
ends Of New England" in 1881. and this
was soon followed by others. In 1888 he
wrote an anti-slavery pamphlet and in
the same year was delgate 70 the anti
slavery convention in Philadelphia. In
1855 he represented his district in the
Massachusetts Legislature.
BY this time Whittier was well known
as an opponent Of slavery. and he was
called upon 10 do work In that move
ment In 1898 he went 70 Philadelphia,
where he edited the PENNSYLVANIA Free
man. until lS40. his printing Office in the
meantime being sacked and Burned by a
mob. On his return 10 Massachusetts ne
busied himself with the publication Of
poems designed 10 arouse public senti-
ment against slavery. and in addition 10
these spirited lyrics ne wrote many poems
descriptive Of New England life, contln-
uing his literary labors until his death on
September 4. 1892. while visiting friends az
Hampton Falls. y. H.
Foremost American Poet.
Whittier ranks as one Of the foremost
American poets. his chief excellence lying
In his simplicity. sincerity. directness. and
fervOr. In his verse dealing with New
England life he achieved prominence. the
most notable Of these productions being
snow Bound" A selection Of Whit,i-
er's verse. which would show his quail
ity lyric. descriptive. and moral. most
would include such
poems as "Ichabod," Barbara Fritchie."
skipper Ireson's Ride The Pipes Of
Lucknow" ''Laus Deo,' The Eternal
Goodness, In School Days" Maud
Muller. 3" The Barefoot Boy, The Swan
Song Of Parson Avery" and snow
Bound"
Another birthday Of a prominent man
IN American history viii be celebrated to-
day although the celebraut is not a poe.
nor is be as yet among the departed. and
II is hoped will not be for many wears
TO come. Commander Richard VAIN
wright, who sailed with the Pacific fleet
yesterday, and viii to-day celebrate his
hfty-eighth birthday. and many are the
good wishes that speed 10 him on this
day over the waves
Commander Wainwright.
Commander Wainwright was born in
this city. December l.. 1S4s. the son OF
Commander Richard Wainwright. who
eied near New Orleans August 10. 1862.
wkile commanding Farragut's flagship.
the Hartford
Commander Wainwright was graduated
from the Naval Academy in 1868, and
Efter passing the various ranks and serv-
Ing on various duties, in all Of which
he acquitted himself with great credit.
re was made commander March 3. 1899.
He was an executive officer OF the bat
tie ship Maine when IL was blown I'D
In Havana harbor, and the courage and
daring he displayed while in charge OF
the converted yacht Gloucester at the de-
structiOn Of Cerveras feet in July, 1895
was commented upon in the most favor
able terms by his superiOrs and an an
preciative country.
After the war he was placed in com
nand Of the ships at the United States
Naval Academy. 70 be made its super-
intendent March Is. 1900 In 1893 he was
placed in command Of the battle shin
Newark
Exercises will be held tonight at An
drew Rankin Chapel in celebration of the