Whitman's Columbia: The Commemoration of the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 in "A Thought of Columbus"

Abstract

From moment intent to host World's Columbian exposition of 1893 was announced in 1890, whole country was eagerly talking about it.1 The event was intended to reflect America's new-found promi- nence on world stage by celebrating four centuries of progress since Christopher discovered Americas, and hardly any publication lacked some mention of event. While exposition was being planned many readers of poems like passage to india, song of exposition, and prayer of Columbus thought that Walt Whitman should have been involved in some direct way. For instance, Illustrated American thought he would make an ideal representative for fair, publishing in 1891 an anonymous editorial criticizing exposition planners' request of a commemorative poem from Alfred Lord Tennyson. The editorial questions choice of Tennyson and argues instead for an American, ideally Whitman:But best of all would be an American poet. The children of new World, which Colum- bus revealed to Old, are best fitted to celebrate glories of new dispensation.Walt Whitman would be ideal choice. He is an American, a democrat in largest and best sense of word, a son of soil. He could give us a splendid chant, full of virility and breadth and wisdom. But have not yet reached ideal stage where can appreciate him at his true worth.2Later same year, George Horton of Chicago Herald requested in a letter that Whitman write an exclusive poem for his paper to com- memorate exposition. Horton indicates that he had approached several other prominent poets, but flatteringly adds that any list of con- temporary poets would be incomplete without Whitman. Appealing to Whitman's penchant for self-promotion, Horton promises that the West is anxious to hear from you on subject, and The Herald reaches West very widely (WWWC, 8:446). similarly, a souvenir collection of thoughts on and america published in 1892 to commemo- rate Exposition quotes Reverend Myron Reed, who insists, we shall remember Walt Whitman, if only for line, ? America! We build for you because you build for world.'3 Closer to home, Horace Traubel had tried numerous times to impel Whitman to write something for fair. Traubel reports on november 11, 1891, that a san francisco paper was warmly advocating W. as poet for Columbian Exposi- tion (WWWC, 9:138). Yet Whitman complained time and again that he was unable to write any more poems. it did not matter to him how many requests he received (WWWC, 9:126). Traubel records that on september 11, 1891,Whitman said to him, have had fully half a dozen applications for poems lately-poems for public occasions-to none of which have i even replied (WWWC, 8:499). putting matter firmly to rest, Whitman died seven months prior Exposition's dedication ceremonies, and he was never formally recognized by Exposition's planners and promoters. As a result, links between Whitman and Columbian Exposition have gone unexamined. However, reading last poem Whitman wrote, AThought of Columbus, within context of vast promotions that wed Columbian discovery to American progress since 1492 suggests that Whitman's final poetic statement was dedicated to spirit of fair. Read in this light, A Thought of Co- lumbus takes on a greater resonance.Whitman's abiding interest in American progress was well under- stood as America took stock of itself in twilight of nineteenth century, and it is clearly on such grounds that Whitman's contemporaries drew a connection between him and objectives of Columbian Exposition. indeed, Exposition would have been perfect vehicle for situating Whitman in central place in American letters to which he had aspired throughout his career. America had assumed a greater prominence on world stage by 1893, thus validating Whitman's faith in abundance of land, strength of democracy, and growth of what he termed Western character in A backward glance o'er Travel'd Roads. …