At the Complimentary Dinner, Camden,
New Jersey, May 31, 1889.

Walt Whitman said:

Following the impulse of the spirit, (for I am at least half of Quaker stock) I have obeyed the command to come and look at you, my friends, for a minute, and show myself, face to face; which is probably the best I can do. But I have felt no command to make a speech; and shall not therefore attempt any. All I have felt the imperative conviction to say I have already printed in my books of poems or prose; to which I refer any who may be curious. And so, hail and farewell. Deeply acknowledging this deep compliment, with my best respects and love to you personally—to Camden—to New-Jersey, and to all represented here—you must excuse me from any word further.

Walt Whitman said:

Walt Whitman said:

Following the impulse of the spirit, (for I am
at least half of Quaker stock) I have obeyed the
command to come and look at you, my friends, for
a minute, and show myself, face to face; which
is probably the best I can do. - But I have felt
no command to make a speech; and shall not
therefore attempt any. All I have felt the imper-
rative conviction to say I have already printed in
my books of poems or prose; to which I refer any
who may be curious. And so, hail and farewell.

(Deeply acknowledging this deep compliment
with my best respects and love to you person-
ally — to Camden — to New-Jersey, and to all
represented here, you must excuse me from any
word further.)