W. S. Kennedy. "The Quaker Traits of Walt Whitman." Friends Intelligencer, vol 47, 1890, 672.

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THE QUAKER TRAITS OF WALT WHITMAN. It is a curious fact that the three chief democrats of the New World should be immediately or remotely of Quaker ancestry Whitman, Whittier, and Abraham Lincoln. Yet this need not surprise us; for from what does Quakerism historically spring if not from a deep-seated, quenchless passion for freedom? How strongly marked the Quaker traits are in Walt Whitman no one hitherto has noticed or at least set forth in print. His best traits, I believe, come through his dear mothera woman of rare force of character and native sweetness of disposition; and her mother, Amy Williams, was a member of the Society of Friends. Walt Whitman always falls back upon the Inner Light, the intuitions of the soul (a Quaker doctrine), as, e. g., in his famous conversation with Emerson on Boston Common. It is, perhaps, the Quaker blood in him that makes him satisfied with the placid life of Philadelphia. Other Quaker elements in him are: Self-respect. Respect for every other human being. Quakerism is extremely democratic; any man or woman may be in direct communication with God; hence Whitman's basilar doctrine of comradeship, equality, love of the average man, and his exalting of woman to perfect equality with man. His sincerity and plainness. His placidity. Freedom from all passionate grief (though this comes partly from his paternal Dutch or Holliindisch ancestry). His silence. If he can't do what you want him to do, he doesn't say he is sorry : he simply is silent. Unconventionalism. No bowing to audience; wears his hat in the house if he wants to (as do Quakers); neither takes nor gives titles of honor or reBpect. Belief in the right of free speech. Benevolence and friendliness. Deep religiousness. The soul is his constant theme. One cannot say that Quakerism has done more than to somewhat perceptibly tinge Whitman's writings. The dithyrambic fibre and superhuman strength of them are drawn from a deeper fount than that which welled forth from the soul of leather-breeched

cobbler Fox. [We see no ground for this statement. EDS. INTELLIGENCER AND JOURNAL.] And so is the passion-flower bloom of Whittier's soul the fiery attar of his rustic verse. In Whitman's case the Quaker survivals are chiefly visible in his personal habits and social temperament. But they are none the less interesting. I think the Quaker traits in him grow stronger every year. The volcanic strength of mature manhood being passed, he reverts tenderly to the maternal teachings: they well up spontaneously now (a tender feeling, more Christ-like spirit of benevolence, if possible). The sun's glare has left the landscape, and the myriad quiet lights of heaven come out one by one. W. S. Kennedy, in The Conservator.