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 Manuscript Sampler Transcript of letter, dated August 14, 1852, from Walt Whitman to John Parker Hale. From the New Hampshire Historical Society's American literary collection, accession number: 1989-113. Brooklyn, Saturday morning August 14 A word from a stranger, a young man, and a true Democrat I hope. - You must not only not decline the nomination of the Democracy at Pittsburgh but you must accept it gracefully and cordially. It is well to know when to be firm against others' wishes; but it is better to know when to yield in a manly and amiable spirit. Out of the Pittsburgh movement and "platform" it may be that a real live Democratic party is destined to come forth, which, from small beginnings, ridicule and odium, (just like Jeffersonian democracy fifty-years ago,) will gradually win the hearts of the people and crowd those who stand before it into the sea. - Then we should see an American Democracy with thews and sinews worthy to this sublime age. - It is from the young men of our land - the ardent and generous hearts - that these things are to come. - Do you, then, yield to the decision at Pittsburgh, shape your acceptance to that idea of the future which supposes that we _____ planting a renewed and vital party, fit to triumph over the effete and lethargic organizations now so powerful and unworthy. Look to the young men - appeal specially to them. - Enter into the condition of affairs with spirit too. - Take two or three occasions within the coming month to make personal addresses directly to the people giving condensed embodiment of the principal idea which distinguish our liberal faith from the drag parties and their platforms. - Boldly promulge (sic) these in that temper of rounded and good natured moderation which is peculiar to you; but abate not one jot of your fullest radicalism after these two or three speeches which should be well considered and not too long. Possess your soul in patience, and take a little personal action in the election as may be. - Depend upon it. There is no way so good as this face to face of candidates and people - in the old heroic Roman fashion. - I would suggest that one of these addresses be delivered in New York, and one in Cincinnati - with a third either in Baltimore or Washington. -You are at Washington, and have for years moved among the great men. - I have never been at Washington, and know none of the great men. - But I know the people. - I know well, (for I am practically in New York) the real heart of this mighty city - the tens of thousands of young men, the mechanics, the writers, etc. - In all these, under and behind the bosh of the regular politicians, there burns, almost with fierceness, the divine fire which more or less, during all ages, has only waited a chance to leap forth and confound the calculations of tyrants, hunkers, and all their tribe. - At this moment, New York is the most radical city in America. - It would be the most anti-slavery city if that cause hadn't been made ridiculous by the freaks of the local leaders here. - O my dear sir, I only wish you could know the sentiments of respect and personal good will toward yourself with which upon seeing a telegraphic item in one of this morning's papers, that you would probably decline, I forthwith sat down and have written my thoughts and advice. - I shall make no apology; for if sentiments and opinions out of the great mass of the common people are of no use to the legislators, then our government is a sad blunder indeed. - How little you at Washington - you Senatorial and Executive dignitaries - know of us, after all. - How little you realize that the souls of the people ever leap and swell to any thing like a great liberal thought or principle, uttered by any well-known personage - and how deeply they love the man that promulges (sic) such principles with candor and powers. - It is wonderful in your keen search and rivalry for popular favor that hardly any one discovers this direct and palpable road there. - Walter Whitman Cumberland St. near Atlantic Brooklyn, N.Y.
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