Godkin, Edwin L. 1831 1902 "The Nation was really a success from the beginning, though it had the vicissitudes not unusual when capital is subscribed by a number of very earnest gentlemen with pronounced views. It established a standard both as to ability and dignity not common at that day; uit was managed with energy, enterprise, and fidelity; and, not a negative element, it paid about twice the customary rate for contributions, and the command of contributions thus secured was exercised with much firmness and discrimination." "The Career of Edwin L. Godkin," a review by Edward Godkin Cary of Life and Letters of Edwin Lawrence Cary. Ed. by Rollo Ogden, in two volumes. Macmillan. 1907 NYTIMES, 4/20/1907. 19 252. See alsos W.D. Howells. "a Great newyork greatest, North American parees 185, # 614 May 3, 1907, 44-53, III James Ford Rhades Historical Essay ( NY : Maclielan, 1909), "Sdwin bourence Coc tkin, Pp 265-297 Ward Perhins Papers. A eettes ,see Fitch, P. 26 Ill 1 The gilded Age Retter of E.L. Godding Wm. Albay : SUNY, 1974. Lee George Cabot ward, 34, 134, 149 of * transver of Nation association, F3, backs godkin 52, X 79, 118, 127, death 355 * Sime c.g.Ward, 41,84,85, 128, 149, 511, 544n. 44,63,78,79, 118, 151, 410- 417, 431, 460. DAB 4 Godkin Godkin to advertisements in the Pennsylvania Jour- was a source of information to Gladstone. To- and Pennsylvania Gasette. It was a roman- ward the end of his life he was in receipt of a tragedy, laid in Parthia about the beginning literary pension from the Gladstone government. the Christian era. Godfrey's plot was largely He died May 23, 1879. own, outside of a general resemblance to James Godkin's first child, Edwin Lawrence, hough the royal murders which were recorded in the was born at Moyne, County Wicklow, in the tioned history of Parthia. His dramatic models were house of his grandmother, Mrs. Anthony Law- of the Shakespeare, Beaumont, and Ambrose Philips. rence. There the larger part of his childhood tor The play is well constructed, the blank verse is was passed and all of his holidays as a schoolboy. varied and forcible, and when the drama was A delicate and precocious boy, he divided his revived by undergraduates at the University of time between outdoor sports and passionate, Pennsylvania in 1915, its acting qualities were sometimes furtive, reading of books. At the age tenta- apparent. Benjamin West's portrait of Godfrey, of seven he was sent to a preparatory school at de of once in the possession of Richard Penn Smith, Armagh. When he reached the age of ten, though ertain seems to have disappeared, and there is no suf- he still lacked robust health, it was decided to lished ficient evidence to prove that the sketch in the find a school for him in England. In 1841 he art of possession of the Historical Society of Penn- was entered at Silcoates School at Wakefield, pow- sylvania is really Godfrey. near Leeds, where he remained for more than mita- [Contemporary accounts of Godfrey are given by four years. He then studied for a time at home terest Nathaniel Evans in the Introduction to Juvenile Poems With the Prince of Parthia (1765) : and William with an uncle, the Rev. John Edge. Later he kind Smith in the Am. Mag., Sept. 1758. The Prince of Par- went to the Classical Department of the Royal that thia is very rare. It was first reprinted by the present Belfast Academical Institution. In 1846 he be- n his writer in Representative Am. Plays (1917), and in the same year by Archibald Henderson in separate form, came an undergraduate of Queen's College, Bel- by a with a valuable introduction. For the play, see Moses fast. He took his degree in 1851, after an aca- pro- Coit Tyler, A Hist. of Am. Lit. During the Colonial Time (rev. ed., 1897), II, 244-51 G. O. Seilhamer, demic career not highly distinguished but show- cause Hist. of the Am. Theatre (1888), I, ch. xviii A. H. ing promise. He displayed marked intellectual itely Quinn, Hist. of the Am. Drama from the Beginning to ctors the Civil War (1923), pp. 16-27. See also F. H. Wil- ability, along with a disinclination to apply him- Nams. "Pa. Poets of the Provincial Period," Pa. Mag. self steadily to the required work of the college. asso- of Hist. and Biog., Apr. 1893.] A.H.Q. His sister's recollection of her brother at the age Col- of twenty was of "a very handsome, refined, deli- f the GODKIN, EDWIN LAWRENCE (Oct. 2, cate-looking young man-witty, brilliant, charm- natic 1831-May 21, 1902), editor, though born in Ire- ing, proud, with a fiery temper, but lovable and oc- land was of English stock on both sides. The affectionate" (Ogden, I, 12). e of name goes back at least to the twelfth century, Shortly after graduation, Godkin went to Lon- nflu- when a small colony of Englishmen settled on don to enter himself as a law student in Lincoln's y of the coast of Wexford, Ireland, in what was called Inn, but the impulse to journalism and to poli- son, the Barony Forth. Godkin's mother, Sarah Law- tics, honestly in his blood, tended to pull him aken rence, came from a family of Cromwellian set- away from the legal profession, and he soon ob- tiers. Thus he could truthfully write in 1878, tained employment in John Cassell's publishing e re- when declining to reply to a magazine article by house. It is known that he wrote for Cassell's hia, Goldwin Smith, "I am an Irishman, but I am as Illustrated Family Paper, and was for a time its ces, English in blood as he is" (Ogden, post, I, I). sub-editor, though none of his contributions are d in This double strain of residence and race always surely to be identified. It was Cassell who pub- tion marked him. His father, the Rev. James God- lished his first book, The History of Hungary hith, kin, was a man of parts and power. In addition and the Magyars: From the Earliest Times to the to active work as a dissenting clergyman he was the Close of the Late War (1853). This was that at different times in charge of two newspapers, doubtless prompted by Kossuth's visit, which His one in Londonderry and one in Dublin, and also caused a great stir of sympathy in England. y in served occasionally as Irish correspondent of the Though Godkin in later life made light of its ean- London Times. He early associated himself with "rhetoric," and its "fearfully profound" philo- ver. the cause of Home Rule for Ireland, and was a sophical reflections, the book showed a compre- ith prolific controversial writer. Knowing Ireland hensive knowledge of the material and a fine gift hed minutely, he made economic and political inves- of narrative, and was a remarkable production fel- tigations in nearly every county, so that he not for a youth of twenty-two. It contained clear play only won repute and regard among his fellow premonitions, both in thought and style, of the , at countrymen, but became a highly useful man for writer that was to be. The work was not without rd- English Liberals to consult. More than once he honor in the country to which it was dedicated. 347 Godkin Godkin In 1854 Godkin traveled in Hungary and had a public affairs became better known, various welcome from revolutionists who had heard of posals were made to him to take a his history. Hungarian admirers presented him position. Olmsted in particular tried to at that time a sword which is still preserved. him to go to San Francisco to establish For two years after 1853, he served as corre- daily in that city, but Godkin felt himself spondent of the London Daily News in the ignorant about California and the West to Crimea, gaining from his experiences an extraor- that venture, besides preferring to live dinary grasp of military theory, and, at the same East. For some time he cherished a time, a hatred of war which often showed in his found a weekly which suddenly came to burning language about it. The invitation to this in 1865. James Miller McKim of service doubtless came to him in consequence of had raised a fund to establish a newspaper his book about Hungary, and of a letter which pecially devoted to the interests of the he had written to the Daily News concerning the Hearing of Godkin's plan, he offered to claims of the Greeks to Constantinople. It was forces with him. Charles Eliot Norton regarded by him and his family as a high honor in Boston further subscriptions to the stock, as well as a great opportunity, and he set off for that the Nation was launched July 6, 1865, his new work in fine spirits. The mission was a capital of $100,000, distributed among hard and at times dangerous, but Godkin per- stockholders. From the first, the Nation formed it with great fidelity and industry. His Godkin's editorship had a program much letters to the Daily News were not confined to er than advocacy of a single cause. While military operations, and were so meritorious as ing due attention to the problems growing to win him not only commendation and reward of the abolition of slavery, it proposed the wide from his editor but public recognition in various and most informed comment upon literature, forms. After his return he delivered lectures on music, and public affairs. Its published list the war in Belfast and elsewhere. For a time he regular or occasional contributors reads like did editorial work on the Northern Whig of Bel- enumeration of the men of light and leading fast. His employers soon offered him the editor- that time. Nothing of exactly that tone had ship-no small compliment to a young man of fore appeared in the United States. From twenty-five-but he broke off in order to fulfil a very beginnings the Nation commended itsel purpose long cherished to go to America, reach- by its range of scholarship, breadth of view, ing his destination in November 1856. In New high moral tone, and it became, according York he studied for a time in the office of David James Bryce, "the best weekly not only in Amen Dudley Field, and on Feb. 6, 1858, was admitted ica but in the world" (Bryce, post, p. 372). to the bar, but, although he appeared as counsel influence on thinking people long remained in at least one case of record, he does not seem of all proportion to its circulation figures. to have sought practise. was especially influential with the choicer spirit He had brought with him from England use- among college undergraduates. Such an under ful introductions, and soon made valuable ac- taking, so conducted, necessarily cost money, quaintances. Chief among his early friends was before the first year was over the original Frederick Law Olmsted [q.v.], whose fascinat- tal was nearly exhausted. This condition, ing letters from the South, first published in the gether with the embarrassments arising out New York Times, confirmed Godkin in his own so large a number of stockholders, brought plan to make similar travels on horseback, still financial affairs of the paper to a crisis. keeping up his connection with the London Daily problem was solved by Godkin's cancelling News. Writing to that journal about the South contract as editor, taking over the property his and later about American public life was a form self, and forming a new Nation Association of unconscious preparation for the work as an der the title of E. L. Godkin & Company. editor which he was soon to take up. In 1857 In 1881 a larger journalistic opportunity he spent some time in New Haven where he was to him. In that year Henry Villard bought admitted to the homes, among others, of Presi- New York Evening Post and, with a disinteres dent Woolsey and Samuel Edmond Foote. To edness rare in proprietors, turned over its control the elder daughter of the latter, Frances Eliza- absolutely to its editors. These were, at first beth, Godkin became engaged in 1858, and to her Carl Schurz, who was chief, Horace White, he was married on July 29, 1859. She was noted Godkin. The latter linked up the Nation for her uncommon beauty, intellectual superior- the new company, and it thereafter appeared ity, and striking social gifts. the weekly edition of the Evening Post, dup As Godkin's power and promise as a writer on cating the editorial matter by selection. In 184 348 n Godkin Godkin known, various pro- Schurz withdrew, and Godkin was made editor- remained in sympathy with it and hoped that its : take a newspaper in-chief, a position which he held until his re- enfranchising spirit, if not all its methods, might ular tried to induce tirement, owing to ill health, on Jan. I, 1900. The be imitated in his adopted country. "His views," o to establish a new change to a daily newspaper necessarily had an says Bryce, "were definite, not to say dogmatic, Ikin felt himself too effect upon Godkin's political writing. If it lost and as they were confidently held, so too they nd the West to make something of dcliberateness and mature judg- were confidently expressed. He never struck a rring to live in the ment, it gained in ardor and dash and the power doubtful note" (post, p. 367). herished a project to drive home the force of argument by repe- When important issues were at hazard, God- to enly came to fruition tition. in varied form, day after day. His chief kin's pen knew no brother. He was sometimes Kim of Philadelphia reputation as an editor was created by his val- accused of disloyalty to friendship, but though a lish a newspaper es- jant service to right thinking and sound politics friend of Plato, he was a greater friend of the ests of the freedmen editor of the Evening Post. Coming after fa- truth as he saw it. Abram S. Hewitt, speaking he offered to join mous editors who had conducted newspapers as at the centenary celebration of the Evening Post, Cliot Norton obtained personal organs, allied with political parties, and said that its motto under Godkin's direction had tions to the stock, so often seeking political advancement themselves, always seemed to him to be, "Whom the Lord ed July 6, 1865, with Godkin by his entire independence and treatment loveth, He chasteneth." Yet causes always stood ributed among forty of great public questions without fear or favor larger in Godkin's mind than personalities. st, the Nation under won for himself a unique place in American Proof of this he gave notably in his long struggle program much broad- journalism. His influence upon the press and for civil-service reform. To it he brought stores de cause. While giv- public opinion was intensive. He touched im- of knowledge and experience; infinite resources roblems growing out mediately only small circles, but from them his of raillery and ridicule; with noble indignation it proposed the widest individual impress extended to wider groups. at the way in which the spoils system was de- it upon literature, art, Once, when he was remarking on the limited grading American public life. But it was always Its published list of circulation of the Evening Post, a prominent the great improvement of the public service ributors reads like an Western journalist said that he ought to know which he worked for constructively, more than E light and leading of how, when big questions came up, other editors for pulling down the reputation of any man. ctly that tone had be- waited to get his point of view. They might not Though his foreign birth was sometimes flung ted States. From its agree with it, they might attack it, but they real- at him (Bryce, post, p. 372; Rhodes, post, pp. 276 on commended itself ized that it had to be reckoned with. ff.), Godkin became thoroughly steeped in Amer- breadth of view, and To his work as editor he brought an almost ican life. With every phase of it, his insatiate became, according to unequaled equipment. In history and economics intellectual curiosity prompted him to seek ac- ekly not only in Amer- and political theory he was broadly read, and his quaintance. In even the freakish and bizarre and ice, post, p. 372). Its mind was always full of apt citations and anec- vulgar he found much to enjoy. It was his de- le long remained out dotes. As a writer he had a most original and light to seize upon current slang and give it a circulation figures. It illuminating humor, with the faculty of being in- humorous twist. His gift for pungent and bit- with the choicer spirits teresting even when he was dealing with the ing phrase was unexcelled. During his long fight lates. Such an under- driest subjects. Into the large public movements against corruption in New York City, he once sarily cost money, and of his time he threw himself with unquenchable wrote that the two things which Tammany lead- over the original capi- zeal and fearless independence. Though he had ers most dreaded were honest labor and biog- 1. This condition, to- strongly sympathized with the Union cause in the raphy. Accordingly he caused to be printed many sments arising out of Civil War and inclined to the Republican party, of their biographies (Nevins, post, pp. 48I ff. kholders, brought the as editor of the Nation he denounced the Carpet- see Evening Post, Apr. 3, 1890), with the result aper to a crisis. The bag régime in the South, assailed the corruption that he was several times summoned for crimi- odkin's cancelling his of Grant's administration, and deplored the cir- nal libel, though none of the suits was ever over the property him- cumstances of the accession of Hayes to the pressed to trial. Godkin's eye for a suggestive Jation Association un- presidency. As editor-in-chief of the Post, he led title was also uncommonly keen. An article rin & Company. in 1884 the Mugwump revolt against Blaine, which he wrote about the Beecher-Tilton case istic opportunity came whom he attacked in parallel columns of damn- was headed, "Chromo Civilization." That was iry Villard bought the ing quotations (Nevins, post, pp. 461-62). Cleve- a half-battle word. and, with a disinterest- land he greatly admired and in general continued He believed wholeheartedly in democracy, and turned over its control to support, though he bitterly assailed the Presi- followed its developments and even its vagaries, These were, at first. dent's Venezuela message as marking submis- with close and intense concern. About Socialism ef, Horace White, and sion to the "Jingoes" (Ogden, II, 202). An im- he wrote with acute perception of its weaknesses d up the Nation with placable foe of "Silverism," he advocated a mod- and dangers, yet with philosophic tolerance for thereafter appeared as erate tariff and deplored territorial expansion. its successive experiments. He used often to Evening Post, dupli- Impregnated in his youth with the animus of the say that he would like to come back to earth fifty by selection. In 1883 great Liberal movement in England, he always years after his death in order to see how democ- 349 Godkin Godman racy was getting on. Toward the end of his life, always fastidious about accepting invitations and when the shadows of ill health and approaching was impatient of time expended in mere feasting night were about him, he became somewhat de- and chatter. He wrote many articles over a peri- spondent about the future. His correspondence od of thirty years for the North American Re- with Lord Bryce at that time revealed a certain view, the Atlantic, the Century, Scribner's the amount of pessimism on either side. The Eng- Forum, and other magazines. His published lishman was gloomy about his own country, books, in addition to The History of Hungary, though very hopeful for the United States, while were: Reflections and Comments (1895), Prob- the American was confident that England would lems of Modern Democracy (1896), Unforescen soon right herself, although he felt discouraged Tendencies of Democracy (1898). Both in the about America. At last, Godkin's "ancient hu- Nation and in the Evening Post his pen came to mor" came to his rescue, as this exchange of be recognized as a "power in the State." Never ideas went on, and he wrote to Bryce: "Do come seeking or holding a paid office, he faithfully over soon, and we'll lie under a tree at Dublin served his day and generation, and left a name while you abuse Great Britain and I abuse the which has worthily passed into the best tradition United States." of American journalism. Godkin had three children. A son, Lawrence, [Life and Letters of Edwin Lawrence Godkin (2 was born May 31, 1860; a daughter, Lizzy, in vols., 1907), edited by Rollo Ogden, which contains a 1865; and another son, who died in infancy, in list of Godkin's writings ; "Random Recollections," by Godkin himself, published in the Evening Post, Dec. 1868. A cruel blow fell on the family in 1873 30, 1909; Semi-Centennial Number of the Nation, July when the daughter died. Mrs. Godkin never 8. 1915, which contains articles by James Bryce, W. C. Brownell, Henry James, Henry Holt, A. V. Dicey, recovered from it, passed through a period of and others Jas. Bryce, in Studies in Contemporary invalidism, and herself died Apr. II, 1875. These Biog. (1903) J. F. Rhodes, "Edwin Lawrence God- successive shocks made New York distasteful to kin," in Atlantic Monthly, Sept. 1908, repr. in Hist. Essays (1909) V. L. Parrington, Main Currents in Godkin, and thereafter he lived in Cambridge for Am. Thought, III (1930), 154-68 Allan Nevins, The more than two years, while still directing the Evening Post: A Century of Journalism (1922) Gus- tav Pollak, Fifty Years of American Idealism: The Nation. This fact gave rise to the saying that New York Nation 1865-1915 (1915) ; obituaries in the the Nation was the best New York paper edited Nation, May 22, 1902, the Evening Post, May 21, 1902, the N. Y. Times, May 22, 1902, the Times (London), in Cambridge. On June 14, 1884, he was married May 23, 1902.] R. O. to Katherine Sands, who survived him. His health was seriously crippled in 1900, and he GODMAN, JOHN DAVIDSON (Dec. 20, spent some time recuperating in Dublin, N. H., 1794-Apr. 17, 1830), anatomist, naturalist, edi- and at Lenox, Mass., but in May 1901 he sailed tor of the first medical journal published west for England. There he passed a year in compar- of the Alleghanies, was born at Annapolis, Md., atively good health, writing occasional letters to the son of Capt. Samuel Godman, a Revolution- the Evening Post, full of his old verve and hu- ary officer, and Anna (Henderson) Godman. mor, but he gradually failed and on May 21, His mother died before he was two years old, and 1902, he died at Greenway House, Brixham, on his father before he was five After the death the River Dart. He was buried in the old Hazel- of his mother he was cared for by an aunt who beach Churchyard at Northampton, England. died when he was about six years old. He then Godkin's engaging personality and extraor- lived with a sister in Baltimore, Md. In the win- dinary ability as a writer were attested by the ter of 1811-12 he served as an apprentice to a friendships and admiration which for years Baltimore printer, and during this apprentice- flowed in upon him from the best in America ship he developed the first symptoms of tuber- and in England. He was an intimate in the culosis, the disease which eventually caused his family of Charles Eliot Norton; was in frequent death. In 1814, at the time the British fleet was correspondence with James Russell Lowell and in Chesapeake Bay, he joined the flotilla com- William and Henry James, to whom he was manded by Joshua Barney [q.v.] and was present closely bound; and was in touch with the leading at the bombardment of Fort McHenry. He be- men in the professions and in literature and pub- gan the study of medicine in 1815 with Dr. Wil- lic life, both of New York and Boston. Among liam N. Luckey in Elizabethtown, Pa.; later he Englishmen he had troops of friends, from Lord completed his studies under the direction of Dr. Bryce down. In 1897 Oxford conferred upon John B. Davidge of Baltimore, and graduated him the degree of D.C.L. His personal charm, from the University of Maryland in March 1818. though unsuspected by the public, was of the During his student days he served as demon- highest, making him a great favorite in the strator in anatomy and for a time gave the lec- social circles in which he moved, though he was tures in anatomy. After graduation he began the 350 Godkin, Edwin Lawrence. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001 Page 1 of 2 NOW GREEN neward USED BOOKS LANCÔME MADE 1 En Br amazon.com CLICK TO SHOP Bu Bri m so Bartleby.com ww Reference Verse Fiction Nonfiction Great Books Online Search Columbia Encyclopedia Go Home Subjects Titles Authors Encyclopedia Dictionary Thesaurus Quotations English Usage En Sc Reference > Columbia Encyclopedia Cc En PREVIOUS NEXT So ww CONTENTS . INDEX . GUIDE . BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001. En Godkin, Edwin Lawrence Sc Sh So Sir ww (göd'k'n) (KEY) , 1831-1902, American editor, b. Moyne, Ireland, of English parentage. 1 His idealism found expression in his History of Hungary and the Magyars (1853) and won him the job of correspondent (1853-55) to the London Daily News during the is Crimean War. In 1856 he came to the United States and studied law. During the Civil War he traveled in the South, sending letters to the Daily News. In 1865, Godkin established Fir Wi the Nation on stockholders' money but shortly after was compelled to buy the paper to So maintain it. In 1881 he became an editor of the New York Evening Post and in 1883 eB editor in chief, carrying the Nation, by then an influential critical weekly, with him as a ww weekly in connection with the Post. He was independent politically and attacked the carpetbag regime, corruption under President Grant, free silver, organized labor, and high tariffs. His self-assurance and integrity gave his opinion weight. He was an important spokesman of laissez-faire in economic policy. He wrote Problems of Modern Democracy (1896) and Unforeseen Tendencies of Democracy (1898). See R. Ogden, Life and Letters of Edwin Lawrence Godkin (1907); studies by W. M. 2 Armstrong (1957) and L. H. Rifkin (1959). Nothing 2/1/04 The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2003 Columbia University Press. CONTENTS . INDEX . GUIDE . BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD PREVIOUS NEXT Click here to download the Dictionary and Thesaurus. http://www.bartleby.com/65/go/Godkin-E.htm) 12/26/2003 E.L. Godkin Page 1 of 2 American History 102 CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT Stanley K. Schultz, Instructor William P. Tishler, Producer Who's Who in American iii dury E.L. Godkin Journalist (1831-1902). Born and raised in Ireland, he graduated from Queens College (Belfast) in 1851. After briefly studying law, he turned to journalism, covering the Crimean War as correspondent for the London Daily News. In 1856, he emigrated to the United States and settled in New York, where he continued both his legal studies and his journalism career. During the Civil War, he again served as war correspondent for the London Daily News. In 1865, Godkin founded The Nation, an independent weekly journal of political opinion. He built The Nation into a highly influential magazine known for its lively, intelligent writing and polemical tone. Under Godkin's editorial leadership, it supported free trade, railed against political corruption and advocated liberal reforms. In 1881, he sold the financially ailing magazine to the New York Evening Post but stayed on as editor until 1899. In 1883, Godkin also became editor-in-chief of the Evening Post, expanding both his readership and influence as an opinion-maker. SOURCES: Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography; Encyclopedia of American Biography. History 102 Home Il Whoâs Who in American History Home http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/bios/html/godkin.html 2/23/2004 WebVoyage Record Brief View Page 1 of 1 Princeton University Library Main Catalog contact us library web new back titles your recall borrow annex recap in process trace a book not search to list list account direct request request request on shelf ILL/document search start delivery history help over Search Request: Author = godkin edwin lawrence Search Results: Displaying 14 of 14 entries previous next more brief view long view like this staff view Author/Artist: Armstrong, William M. (William Martin), 1919- Title: William M. Armstrong collection on Edwin Lawrence Godkin, 1833-1978. Physical description: 6.5 linear ft. (11 archival boxes, 2 record center cartons, 1 oversized box) Location: RBSC Off-Site Storage: Contact rbsc@princeton.edu Location details: More information about this location Call number: C0560 Status: Not Charged previous next Print, Save, or Email Options EndNote tips Select Download Format: Brief record Display for Print/Save Enter your email address: Email new search Insurance new titles list location codes hours campus maps other catalogs http://catalog.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=14&ti=1,14&Search%5FArg=godki.. 4/5/2007 2020 Century Archives - The Century Association Archives Foundation ARCHIVES THE CENTURY ASSOCIATION I ARCHIVES FOUNDATION About the CAAF CENTURY ASSOCIATION BIOGRAPHICAL ARCHIVE Important Materials Earliest Members of the Century Association Publications < Previous Result 539 of 1531 (view results) Next > Online Reference Shelf Collection Access EDWIN L. GODKIN Board of Trustees How to Donate Journalist Centurion, 1863-1902 Century Association Biographical Archive Full Name Edwin Lawrence Godkin Born 2 October 1831 in Moyne, Wicklow, Ireland Finding Aid to the Collection Died 21 May 1902 in Devon, England Finding Aid to the Platt Buried Saint Michael's Churchyard [,Superscript(2), Haselbech, Library Northamptonshire, England Centurions on Stamps FDR: A Man of the Proposed by Not recorded Century (Audio File) Elected 4 April 1863 at age thirty-one Hot Buttons: Presidential Campaigns and the Century Proposer of: Seconder of: Association Russell Sturgis C. Wyllys Betts Frank Thomson Century Association Henry L. Burnett Nobelists Richard J. Cross When the Clubhouse E. S. Nadal Was New (Photo Gallery) Century Memorial E. L. Soakin 1863. Edwin Lawrence Godkin was of the stuff with which the foundations of The Century were laid and Edwin L. Godkin by which the undefined but rich possession we call the character of the Club was largely Member Photograph Albums Collection determined Not that this is a fixed quality, which we can hope only to preserve. It is something to Album 2, Leaf 65 ://www.centuryarchives.org/caba/bio.php?PersonlD=539&Search=42794c75f5a622d63c59738b9ffc4e8b 1/3 2020 Century Archives- The Century Association Archives Foundation which each generation and, indeed, each member can and must contribute, an evolution to which the later contributions may be as important as the earlier. But by the earlier members the lines of the Club were SO directed that, as they are continued and developed, its life may be unbrokenly pleasant, wholesome, helpful, and fruitful. When Mr. Godkin joined the circle in 1863, its membership was relatively small, and of the twelve hundred and more now on our roll, but twenty-five were there to greet him. They are among our most honored Centurions, and, were they assembled by themselves tonight, we should very clearly understand into what a company the young journalist was found worthy to enter. Though he had prepared himself for the practice of the law in the office of David Dudley Field, a journalist he was by natural bent, already developed by varied experience and notable work. A native of Ireland, of English stock, a graduate of Queen's College, Belfast, he had made a brilliant record as correspondent in the Crimean War, and had contributed to The London News a valuable series of observations on the conditions in the Southern United States on the eve of the Rebellion-the fruit of a horseback journey through that region. He was trained in the school of young men whose prophet, as he has said, was John Stuart Mill, and America their "promised land." It was in America that he was to pursue his career, and to the fulfilment of its promise he was to devote his remarkable talents. In 1865, he founded The Nation, which sixteen years later was joined with The Evening Post, and he was the guiding mind, first of one and then of both, for a third of a century. The work he did in them was certainly distinctive and distinguished. Those most widely and even bitterly differing from him will not deny this. It was essentially the work of the critic; it was meant to be, and largely it was, constructive and inspiring criticism. Mr. Godkin was a hearty believer in the value of expert judgment, and he spared no labor or pains or study to make himself an expert in the field of public affairs. He was an industrious and careful student of the past and an acute observer of the present, and he toiled unrestingly to wring from the former the teaching the latter demanded. No writer ever more hungered and thirsted to be right, or sought more sedulously to save his mind from any conscious warping. His anxious desire in this direction was, indeed, as he once remarked of a like quality in one of his subordinates, "not without a touch of pathos." But if his sense of his own intellectual rectitude, and of the pains he took to conserve it, sometimes made him a little less keenly alive than he might have been to the inevitable percentage of failure that must accompany such effort, and if he measured himself at times more by the weakness of his Edwin L. Godkin opponents than by the magnitude of his task, what he actually did for public life in America, for the raising of the intellectual and moral standard of our people, was very much. No one, with any 1863-1902 sense of true perspective, looking back over the time in which his work was done, and measuring the things for which he worked, marking where they stood at the start and at the finish of his Edwin L. Godkin Frederick Hill Meserve Collection unceasing warfare in their behalf, can fail to see deep traces of his personal influence. He began Album 1, Leaf 43 his chief work at the close of the Civil War. Those of us who shared in the hot passion and the fervent prejudice of that time can look back from the relative calm and reasonableness of the present, and recall that the view which now we take readily of the questions then fought over was the view of his trained and philosophical mind from the first. As to reconstruction, finance, ://www.centuryarchives.org/caba/bio.php?PersonID=539&Search=42794c75f5a622d63c59738b9ffc4e8 2/3 2020 Century Archives - The Century Association Archives Foundation currency, fiscal policy, and especially as to a civil service based on tested merit rather than on the spoils of partisan victory, Godkin was as clear and sound in 1865 as most intelligent men are to- day, with nearly forty years of experience to enlighten them. And surely it was no small service to the American people that for this long period the disinterested advocacy of high ideals was carried constantly to thousands of homes couched in a style of singularly pure and sinewy and refined English, lightened here and there by a humor the most penetrating and effective that the journalism of the country has ever known. In private life, in the life of The Century, the charm of Mr. Godkin's society was peculiarly his own and was delightful. Edward Cary 1903 Century Association Yearbook Questions, comments, corrections: email caba@centuryarchives.org © 2012-2020 Century Association Archives Foundation //www.centuryarchives.org/caba/bio.php?PersonID=539&Search=42794c75f5a622d63c59738b9ffc4e8b 3/3 ) Age bettersoft Key to Letter Source Citations . godtein Nm. A. Armstrong Codes used in the citation notes of manuscripts are from Symbols of American Libraries, 10th ed. (Washington, D.C.: Library of Con- gress, 1969). many SUNY Pies 1974. CSmH Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, California. CtHT Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut. CtY Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. DLC Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. ICU University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. IHi Illinois State Historical Library, Springfield. MdBJ Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. MH Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. MH-Ar Harvard University Archives, Cambridge, Massachusetts. MHi Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. MStoc Stockbridge Library Association, Stockbridge, Massachu- setts. NHi New-York Historical Society, New York City. NIC Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. NN New York City Public Library. NNC Columbia University, New York, New York. NNPM Pierpont Morgan Library, New York, New York. NPV Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York. NRU University of Rochester, Rochester, New York. OFH Rutherford B. Hayes Library, Fremont, Ohio. OO Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. PHi Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. PSC Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. PU University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. ViU University of Virginia, Charlottesville. VtU University of Vermont and State Agriculture College, Bur- lington, Vermont. WHi State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison. Published Sources (referred to in text by author's last name) Bigelow, John. Retrospections of an Active Life. 2 vols. New York: Baker and Taylor, 1909. 34 MAY 28 [1865] I could make any agreement with anybody, or perform any act To Charles Eliot Norton whatever, except on our personal responsibility. It is, in fact, es- sential that the organization should be completed at once. Our 37 East 19th St., New York, June 6 [1865] (Godkin Papers, MH) subscribers here are ready with their money at any moment; and My DEAR NORTON: I enclose an advertizement which will I think if you explain all this to our Philadelphia friends, they appear on Thursday morning. What do you think of it? I have will be disposed to waive their privilege and come down at once. on reflection added Garrison's and Tilton's name to the list of In haste, very truly yours contributors.¹ I do not think they will repel anybody, and they ELG are certain to attract a good many. I saw Mr. White and had quite a pleasant chat with him. ² Yours very truly ELG I. Godkin is mistaken. Later, months after the Boston and Philadelphia investors had paid over their agreed-upon $75,000, he had not yet collected all of the $25,000 in New York that he promised to raise as a condition of I. The Abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison (1805-79) and Theodore being appointed editor. Howard Potter was a New York business man. Tilton, editor of the anti-slavery Independent. Neither man seems directly 2. Manufacturer Samuel S. White (1822-79) was one of the financial to have been consulted about being listed as a contributor, and neither backers of the Nation in Philadelphia. Some of the Nation's Philadelphia approved of Godkin or the Nation. The intimate connection of Garrison's backers were really Baltimore men. youngest son, Wendell, with the Nation was one of the later sorrows of Garrison's life. To Charles Eliot Norton 37 East 19th St., New York, May 28 [1865] To James Parton (Godkin Papers, MH) 37 East 19th St., New York, June 6 [1865] (Parton Papers, MH) My DEAR NORTON: I am going to Philadelphia tomorrow morn- SIR: I enclosed the advertizement which will appear on Thurs- ing to close matters up there, and get some writers. I shall be day, and which explains itself. The project has been for some back on Tuesday. time under discussion, and is now fully matured and starts with Mr. G. C. Ward will act, as Trustee, and I have arranged with him to have the meeting on Wednesday forenoon, either his of- a large capital. Mr. Chas. E. Norton has mentioned you to me as one on fice or that of the paper in Nassau St. Superscript(¹ He is engaged in the whom I could probably count as a contributor. If so, will you afternoon and Thursday is the fast day. I shall expect you here please drop me a line at your earliest convenience, as I should either on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, and shall wish to add your name to the list, and arrange with you for secure a room for you either at the Hoffman House or St. James. The list of trustees is full. S. S. White and J. M. McKim some assistance during the coming year. Our rates of remuneration have not as yet been definitely represent Philadelphia. I am rather glad McKim is in, as he will be fixed, but I can say that they will be higher than have yet been in a measure impressed and controlled by the official action of the others. paid in this country.1 Respectfully yours Very truly yours ELG ELG I. George Cabot Ward was a partner in the New York banking firm I. James Parton (1822-91), the most sought-after popular biographer of of Ward, Campbell & Co. the day, did not avail himself of Godkin's invitation. FEBRUARY 8 [1868] 119 To Samuel G. Ward The Wilmington and Manchester, I am sorry to say, is not paying its coupons. I fear this will disappoint you a good IO West 48th St., New York, January I [1868] (Ward Papers, MH) deal, but I cannot help hoping, that as business revives in the spring, it will come [out] all right. Everything at the South is now My DEAR MR. WARD: No success the Nation could achieve would greatly depressed. be satisfactory to me personally unless I were satisfied that those Those checks were sent to me from New Haven, but before who had faith in it, in its early and troublous days, and gave me they came I had got a note from Chas. Elliott, asking me, if Mrs. their kind support in carrying it on, believed that it deserved to Poote had sailed to send them back to him. As I knew nothing succeed and was of some value to the community. I should about them I did so, and have heard no more of them except from never be able to look you all calmly in the face, if all I could say you I think both C. W. and his wife are cracked. From for it was, that "it was paying." Such testimony to its value as the way I hear of them talking, I can form no other conclusion. you offer in your note is therefore, very grateful, and we receive He conveyed the Milwaukee St. Pauls stock to you and Rock- SO many of the same sort-though not many from as good well, leaving me out, SO that they would not deliver the certi- judges as yourself, that I suppose I may conclude, without any ficate to me. I suppose this was done to spite me, or in pursuance lack of modesty, that it is really doing good, and is destined to of il vow; but I forgive the poor man and took no notice of it. I do more. could wish him a better employment for the latter end of his life. Let me add that I am very glad indeed to have the opportunity There is no news. The Nation is doing well. Kate and Rock- which your note affords me to say, without seeming demonstra= well are installed and have Mrs. Rockwell down upon them.3 tive, how very warmly I have always appreciated the sympathy Ever yours and support the enterprize has had from yourself and your ELG brother. If the busts of its founders are ever set up in its office, 1. Godkin's invalid brother-in-law. yours and his shall occupy the place of honor. I, "C, W." is Charles Wyllys Elliott (1817-83), the brother of Godkin's I remain very faithfully yours mother-in-lav Mrs. Samuel E. Foote. With Calvert Vaux, Elliott studied ELG landscape architecture under Andrew Jackson Downing and was one of the founders with Charles Loring Brace of the Children's Aid Society. In 1857 he was one of the commissioners for laying out New York's Central Park. To Harry Foote 1 1 Catherine (Kate) Foote Rockwell, Godkin's sister-in-law, was married to Professor Rockwell, a mining engineer. Godkin did not get along well IO West 48th St., New York, January 24 [1868] with the Elliotts and the Rockwells, partly because of his wish to handle (Godkin Papers, MH) the finances of his widowed mother-in-law without interference from the family. My DEAR HARRY: We are greatly delighted to hear that you are improving. I would have written to you before now, but that I am very hard worked and keep my writing down to the To Charles Francis Adams, Jr. lowest possible point. I enclose a draft on Paris for 1837.10 francs, Duncan Sherman New York, February 8 [1868] (Adams Family Papers, MHi) and Co. on Hottinguer and Co. at sight.-Dated Jan. 24, 1868-to My DEAR SIR: I am very much obliged for your note and for the your order being the product of $504. in currency; from pamphlet on "Railroad Legislation" by which it was accom- Government coupons $219 panied. Little Miami less 5 per cent tax 285 The plan of paying railroad employees in funds out of profits, $504 has been tried on the Orleans railroad in France. I am not quite 134 MARCH 19, 1869 the enclosed notice as conspicuously as convenient. I was flung To James A. Garfield suddenly on my back, into the street, from the platform of a car going seven miles an hour, for simply asking to see the man's IO West 48th St., New York, March 26 [1869?] badge, before paying my fare, he having been previously miscon- (Garfield Papers, DLC) ducting himself. The company has dismissed him, but these My DEAR SIR: I have taken the liberty of giving a letter of intro- things need to be followed up. duction to you to Count Wierzbicki, a Polish cavalry officer, who Yours ever served on General's staff in 1848-9 in Hungary, and com- ELG manded a Polish regiment in the Turkish service through the I hope this will not be too late for this afternoon's paper. Danube, and Crimean campaigns from 1853 to 1856. He is an old and valued friend of mine and has married an American lady, and is now making a short visit to this country in company with his To James M. McKim wife. He will probably be a day or two, in Washington, and as he Nation Office New York, March 19, 1869 speaks no English, but French and German perfectly, I have been (Godkin Papers, MH) somewhat at a loss to know with whom to put him in relations, SO that he can be aided in seeing a little of the city. DEAR SIR: The Social Science Association are desirous of forming It has occurred to me that even if you are not yourself at home a Committee in this City, and have charged me with the task of in French or German, you may be able to put him into the hands organizing it.¹ You have, I think, been already requested to serve of somebody who is, and who can explain to him a little of what on it; should you still be willing to do so, you will do me a favor he sees. He has naturally a soldier's desire to see Grant and Sher- by attending a meeting to be held at my house, IO West 48th St., man, and if you can put him in the way of doing this, you will on Wednesday evening March 24th at half past eight o'clock. confer an additional favor both on me and him. I should be glad if convenient to be informed whether you I am much obliged for the Census document. I will endeavor will be able to do SO. as far as the Nation is concerned to have the subject well dis- Annexed is a list of gentlemen to whom similar invitations have cussed. been sent. Yours very truly Faithfully yours ELG ELG Honble James A. Garfield Professor Theodore Dwight William F. Blodgett Judge Daly Dr. E. C. Wines I. Garfield, a regular subscriber to the Nation, was then a member of Judge Arnett Congress. Dr. C. R. Agnew George Cabot Ward Charles L. Brace Howard Potter George W. Curtis Frederick Kapp To Charles Eliot Norton R. M. Hoe Frederick Law Olmsted Joseph Choate April 15, 1869 (Ogden 1:304-5) M. McKim R. O. Williams Henry Holt Grant's appointments, are I think, on the whole, good. He has necessarily made some mistakes; under the system, it is im- I. The American Social Science Association, to which Godkin, George W. Curtis, Edward Atkinson, David A. Wells, and other genteel eastern re- possible to avoid them. Motley's appointment is a good one from formers belonged, was founded in Boston in 1865 with Henry Villard its the social point of view-bad, I think, in every other way. I do general secretary. The association did little except talk. not think he has the necessary mental furniture for the discussion 148 JULY 25, 1870 however, if I had not hoped that its appearance in the Nation To Charles Eliot Norton would before this have advised you of its safe arrival.¹ Our rule is to pay everybody for everything, but when a July 28, 1870 (Ogden 2:61-62) master of a subject refuses money, as in the present instance, My DEAR NORTON: I am going through mental perplexities, in we do not feel sufficiently favored by fortune to force anything which I should dearly like to have your advice if it were within on him except our thanks, which in your case, I assure you are reach. Eliot has offered me the professorship of History at Har- especially hearty. vard, and I am strongly tempted to accept. I should like the work Yours very truly it is the optional course of the senior and junior classes; and I ELG want to live at Cambridge,-strange as it may seem to you, who President Woolsey, New Haven do live there,-par on Fanny's account and mine, and partly on account of the children, whom I can hardly bear to see growing I. "Bernard's British Neutrality," Nation, 26 May 1870, pp. 339-40. Presi- dent Woolsey of Yale College was an occasional contributor to the Nation. up in New York. To be near you, and Lowell and Gurney, in the It was in his home in 1857 that Godkin met his first wife. latter end of my life, would be a great pleasure. But then the salary is small to settle down upon-$4000-and doubtless there is less of a certain kind of influence than in the Nation. I would To Frederick Law Olmsted not think of going, however, if I did not think that I might safely leave the Nation in the hands of Dennett-who would come Nation Office New York, July 25, 1870 back to it-and Garrison, and become myself a contributor and (Olmsted Papers, DLC) general supervisor. At all events my present idea is to try this, My DEAR OLMSTED: I am heartily glad to hear that you have a though as yet I have decided nothing. The Wards and Olmsted son. Fanny who goes to Mt. Desert today, and to whom I have advise me to go, if it can be done without serious detriment to sent your letter, will be so too, The best thing I can wish him, the Nation, and treat the offer as a clear "promotion" for me, is that he may be in all respects like his father. May his enemies which I am not at liberty to reject, as a valuable recognition of be scattered, their politics confounded, their knavish bricks frus- the work the Nation has done. The only thing I fear, or rather trated, and his hours be exalted for seventy years at least.¹ Give what I fear most, is that my leaving may produce an unfavorable my love to your wife, and let me hear how she gets on. impression on the public mind as to its condition. Yours heartily Apart from the social attractions of the thing, I am tempted by ELG the opportunity and inducement it offers to the cultivation of Eliot has offered me the professorship of history at Harvard- one subject. You can hardly understand how strong this craving at' $4000. a year. I am inclined, if I can combine it with the Na- is with me, and could not without passing as many years as I tion to take it. What do you think? Couldn't you lunch with have done writing de omnibus rebus. I think it would be an im- me tomorrow, and talk of it-at one o'clock. Answer. portant help to my mental growth, to which, "newspaper man" ELG though I am, I am not altogether indifferent. And then I confess I have a burning longing to help to train up a generation of I. Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. He followed in his father's footsteps to young men to hate Greeley and Tilton and their ways. become a landscape architect and with his wife lived unpretentiously to an I wish I could get your opinion on all this before the die is advanced age in California. cast, and am half tempted to ask you to telegraph it, at my expense, but if you write at once, I shall receive it before all is over. But I am deplorably one-sided myself. My judgment is I 50 AUGUST 2, 1870 AUGUST 4 [1870] 151 completely warped by the prospect of living near you all. affects me. A professorship, at Harvard, would do a great deal Fanny's mind is not yet made up, but she feels reluctant to aban- to naturalize me-so to speak, that is would give me more of a don New York yet for many reasons, believing apparently that, settled status as a member of the American community, than I as long as we are here, there is a chance of discovering some- have now. I am a good deal perplexed in mind, and wish you where a pot of gold. would turn the matter over, and give me your opinion. Nobody's will affect me more, except my wife's, and whom I have not yet seen. My address till Wednesday week will be East Eden, Maine, To Frederick Law Olmsted and I have promised Eliot an answer by Friday week. If you mail a letter on Thursday I shall get it on Saturday next, other- Boston, August 2, 1870 (Olmsted Papers, DLC) wise not till the following Wednesday; but I would sooner have My DEAR OLMSTED: I was very sorry indeed, to miss seeing you it on Wednesday than not at all. before I left town, as I wanted very much to talk over this Har- My love to your wife, who, I hope is doing well. vard proposition with you. I have stopped here on my way to Yours ever Mt. Desert, to see Eliot and Gurney, and talk the matter over ELG with them; and submitted to Eliot the plan you suggested-that is that I should continue to contribute to the Nation, and control, its general drift, but rather in the character of proprietor, than To Samuel G. Ward editor, while filling the office of professor of history here; but he Boston, August 2 [1870] Ward Papers, MH submitted this to the leading members of the Corporation, and they exact an absolute cessation of all control or direction of the paper My DEAR MR. WARD: I hoped to have got on here, before you on my part.-though making no objection to my contributing as left, but was unable, and am now going on to Mt. Desert for a much as I please. To fulfil this condition in good faith, I would few days. I wanted to ask your advice, about an offer of a pro- have, it seems to me, either to find a man to take my place, of fessorship of history at Harvard Eliot has made me. [It] whom I have no trace now, or else surrender all my interest would amount, I think, to the death of the Nation. The position present and future in the paper; in other words, give up all the at Harvard would be very pleasant, in every way, but the salary fruits of my five years labor, except such reputation, as I may is a very small one to settle down on for a finality, and I confess have derived from it, and (probably) ensure its death. You are I don't think I am of as much value as a professor as a journalist. the only man I know, to whom I would be willing to surrender What do you think of the matter socially, pecuniarily, and completely all control, and act as a simple contributor for, and I professionally? suppose there is no use in talking of you. Yours very truly On the other hand, I get very little money from the Nation, ELG and its future is of course purely speculative, while the profes- sorship offers me a moderate salary ($4000) for life, compara- tively light work, long vacations, a cheaper place of residence, To Professor E. Whitman Gurney the society of agreeable friends, and certainly a better moral and East Eden, Maine, August 4 [1870] (Eliot Papers, MH-Ar) social atmosphere for my children. These are strong temptations; but then, I give up all hope of larger income, and I confess, I My DEAR GURNEY: The proposition I have to consider now, is don't think my value to the community would be as great, as a really whether I shall abandon the Nation altogether-dissolving professor, as an editor. There is one other consideration which all connections with it, which I should consider tantamount to 164 DECEMBER I, 1870 DECEMBER I, 1870 165 creasing really very rapidly. Sarah Woolsey sends an article on regards the paper and the chandelier. How pleasant it must be to women in politics-but rather feeble. Wherever Sarah has to have money! reflect she breaks down; but how good she is. 28th. Went to the Free Trade dinner at Delmonicos in 24th. Thanksgiving. Beautiful day. IO lb. turkey, and dinner the evening. Large company, Wells made a capital speech, but ordered at two o'clock at Lawrence's earnest request. After Minturn presided and was terribly embarrassed, this being his dinner I took Lawrence down to see the newsboys take theirs in first appearance in public. Sands made a speech, too, and broke Eighteenth St. It was a fearful scene of stuffing, and I called his down in the middle but not badly. Marshall seeing the fate that attention to how "piggy," they ate. George Ward was there, the had overtaken his two companions, looked very nervous. 9 I hav- usual halo round his brow. Invitation today to the great free ing nothing of this kind impending over me, ate a quiet and com- trade dinner on Monday. I am having SO much dining out this fortable dinner, and enjoyed the troubles of the Young Apostles. winter that I am forced to put myself on a strict regimen. I have Walked home with Schlesinger, who used to live next to us in stopped smoking, and coffee; I suppose I shall always have to be Nineteenth St. He has been subscribing to the Nation for some patching myself up in order to be equal to the ordinary duties of time without knowing that I edited it. life, till the day comes when I shall be pronounced not worth 29th. Mr. and Mrs. Stetson have just been in, and sat for a further repairs. good while. She told us about Charlotte [Varian's?] troubles with 5th. Dined at the Barlows; nobody but Mrs. Lowell. She old Hoffman her husband. He is drunk as a fiddler most of his time, is a very interesting person; rather sad, but evidently full of feel- and she has left him. I was tempted to ask her about the [Tul- ing and enthusiasm, and talks very well. Barlow had to go out mans? but forebore, lest I should laugh. Charley Richards has after dinner, and I spent a couple of hours very pleasantly with lost his eye through an accident, but per contra, is rector of the the ladies. These Shaw women are not pretty, however, except principal Episcopal church in Providence. Mrs. Stetson seems Mrs. Minturn. The Barlow table looks very nice, especially the very well. China. They are very pleasant, and of our kind and I enjoyed my- We hear nothing from the Woolseys about the house; several self. other people have been to see it. I don't like to be here when they 26th. Found on going down to the office, that Schuyler come; it always irritates me to have them poking about and mak- Colfax had called to pay his respects to me!! Never was more ing remarks. One fellow asked me if it was not built for a clergy- amused in my life. We have bombarded this man and all his man; the architecture was he said, "Kind o' ecclesiastical," and he breed, seed and generation for five years, and now, he finds that said it would make a capital parsonage for the church over the it would be well to be on good terms, SO in he walks. Went to way. Century in the evening-with Sands who called here after dinner Dennett came on today, looking fat and well. If the wretch had -Curtis, (W. E.), Blodgett, Robbins, Robinson, Cyrus Field. any conscience how delightful it would be. Field called me aside and enquired after much hemming and haw- Your flowers began to die out, and we had to have them re- ing, whether a half of the Nation could be purchased. I told him moved. I don't know what was the matter with them. I sat next I thought not. It is not for this that I have lived laborious days. to Blake at the dinner, and he told me about Talboys, whose life 27th. Sunday. Went in the carriage with Sands after din- he said is now positively scandalous. What a disgusting set those ner to call on Horace White of Chicago at Albemarle. Fred Stebbinses are. called at tea time, I declining an invitation to meet the Ripleys Nov. 30. I have paid your passage, and enclose receipt, which at tea at the Fields'. Went over there at nine o'clock and found you must not give up except in return for a ticket, which they several queer, and a few nice people. The Sands are in their house will give you at the office in Nassau or on board. You can arrange which looks lovely.8 The dining room is a gem, particularly as it with the purser. They will write out from here, and have writ- MAY 17, 1887 355 To Grace Ashburner they are SO much matters of taste. If you see them, you see them; if you don't, you don't, and there's an end to it. 115 East 25th St., New York, April 27 [188y] But I have never had any doubt that we could agree about (Ashburner Papers, MStoc) them whenever we understood each other, and we have clearly My DEAR Miss GRACE: The stockings came last evening. They not done SO in this case as appears from your speaking of "resum- are a perfect fit and I am going to wear them to a dinner party ing possession." I do not propose to take "possession" of any- tonight with very low shoes. Even if they were not as rich and thing. Bacon said to a lady in answer to an inquiry about the handsome as they are, they would be more to me than if they ownership of the Temple Gardens, "They are ours, madame, as had been woven on one of the looms of Cashmere. I ow you are ours, to look upon, but nothing more." 1 you a great many pleasant hours, and you are associated with I enclose a check which was due some weeks ago, but I would many of the pleasantest years of my life, and [I] can assure you have been ashamed to offer money to a man in your situation. that one of the greatest drawbacks in it now is that your house is Yours ever SO far away. ELG Lawrence and I are proposing to go over to Europe in June I. Godkin is discussing with Holt, his landlord, their differences over he certainly, I most probably, and I shall of course get to Cam the care of the grounds of Bon Repos. bridge before then, and say not only goodbye, but many other things. I wish I could be there when Arthur is with you.1 How it would bring back old times! To Charles L. Brace Give my cordial remembrances to Miss Ashburner and Theo dora.² I congratulate you on the coming of the summer. It is hard May 17, 1887 (Ogden 191) for Sir Anthony to be SO near the pension period, but we are all My DEAR BRACE: The reviewer of Miss Mason's Georgics was Gil- near it, without any pension in prospect, which is harder. dersleeve of Johns Hopkins, a Grecian of renown, as you know.¹ Affectionately yours The writer of the notice of Beecher was Chadwick, Reverend ELG John, Unitarian minister of Brooklyn. I thought it, and am glad to find you did, an excellent piece of work. I. Arthur Sedgwick was Grace Ashburner's nephew. 2. Anne Ashburner and her unmarried niece, Theodora Sedgwick, Ai We shall certainly try and arrange a meeting either at New thur's sister. Rochelle or Dobbs Ferry, before you break up for the summer. We have just got settled, but the process is fatiguing, and our horses are hardly fit yet for long drives. To Henry Holt I am afraid "Teddy" Roosevelt has not got his father's level head. May 7, 1887 (Ogden 2:128-20) Poor George Ward. I saw you in the distance at his funeral. DEAR HOLT: The "charge" I proposed to take of that piece of I low the ranks thin as we march on! ground was simply to keep it mown and free from dirt and Yours ever débris,-that is, to keep it up as a lawn, which was what I sup ELG posed it was going to be, unless built on, when I took the house. I. Basil L. Gildersleeve (1831-1924) was professor of classics at Johns It is very difficult to discuss these things or argue about them, I Iopkins University and a frequent reviewer for the Nation. 410 MARCH 3, 1890 APRIL 9, 1890 4II muslin before use, as you will see, but has great excellence. Taken but possibly also mischievous, for I see the Sun here is connecting in large quantities it will make you happy as a king; a glass now it with the movement for ballot reform by pointing out that the and then will build you up, and increase your zeal for reform. same men are prominent in both. We are going to have some With best wishes for your health and prosperity. biographical sketches of the Tammany chiefs some day this week Yours most truly illustrating the kind of men who rule New York, which will ELG amuse you. Yes, we are moving down to 10th. St. where we have bought a house, getting much more room down there for the same money To Former President Grover Cleveland we could uptown. Our winter has otherwise been unevent- ful. The only novel incident is the appearance of Professor Royce Evening Post Editorial Rooms New York, March 3, 1890 of Harvard, as a drawing room lecturer on philosophy Sixty or (Cleveland Papers, DLC) seventy New York women and some men listening to a lecture My DEAR MR. CLEVELAND: I have to acknowledge the receipt of on Kant in Whitney's ball room last night was an odd sight. How your check for $856.82 being half the bill of Rogers Locke much they profit by it I don't know, but it is a sign of better Milburn. things in New York I hope. Let me add that we all here think your contribution to the ex Always faithfully yours pense of the suit ample and in all respects satisfactory to us. Allow ELG me at the same time to congratulate you most humbly on the result of the trial, for it was a triumph for you as well as for us. I. Godkin scathingly attacked the Tammany-backed Mayor of New York, Yours very sincerely Hugh J. Grant, in the Evening Post ("Our Mayoral Curiosity") on 24 March 1890. ELG Josiah Royce (1855-1916). I. A reference to the inconclusive settlement of a five-year-old libel ac tion against Godkin by the Rev. Dr. George H. Ball. During the bitterly contested election of 1884 the Evening Post accused Ball of lewd personal To Henry C. Lea behavior when the Buffalo clergyman helped publicize the news of Cleve land's illegitimate child. The ensuing trial disclosed that it was a different Evening Post Editorial Rooms New York, April 9, 1890 clergyman of the same name who left Owensburg, Indiana, in haste after (Lea Papers, PU) "insulting a lady," but Cleveland used his influence to get Godkin a clever lawyer and the court did not award Ball damages. Godkin is thanking Cleve DEAR MR. LEA: We shall ourselves in a few days issue a revised land for paying half of his legal expenses. edition of the charges against Quay, and I propose printing these with your letter to the President received this morning, unless delay will injure it.¹ If SO please let me know. To Samuel G. Ward Yours very sincerely ELG 115 East 15th St., New York, March 30, 1890 (Ward Papers, MH) My DEAR WARD: I think the Post did kill the Blair bill, and I think I. Matthew S. Quay (1833-1904), the leader of the Pennsylvania Repub- we have smashed Grant, though I say it, who shouldn't.¹ Many lican organization and a power in national party circles, was ultimately tried on a charge of misappropriating state funds but was acquitted. Lea belonged thanks for your kindly recognition of the fact. to the reform faction of the Republican party in Pennsylvania that wanted The Anti Catholic Movement in Boston is a ridiculous affair, to throw out the Quay machine. 430 CHRISTMAS DAY [1891] FEBRUARY 4, 1892 431 N. E. Harbor in September, but I was crippled with rheu How is the Speaker getting on financially? The articles are, I matism, which made me a sorry spectacle coming home from a still think, pitched in too high a key for a Weekly from which summer's outing. I have got over it, but it is a wonderfully ad people expect somewhat more calm. But it is not too high cer- hesive complaint, and wanders all over one's frame with such im tainly for Chamberlain. What a charlatan! I remember your pre- partiality and inscrutability. I am fighting it now with, long walk dicting much of him to me in a letter about '84. and Indian Clubs, but I fear it will get the better of me yet. I hope Mrs. Bryce is well. Give her our kindest regards and best We expect to go on to visit Mrs. Kuhn in Feb. and hope wishes for the New Year. there may then be a chance of seeing you. I am delighted to get I would be willing to pay a premium for those three vols. such good accounts of Miss Ashburner. I am sorry to tell her I Yours ever think the Gladstoners will win at the next election, which Bryce ELG says will be in the spring-sorry I mean on her account, not on my own. I am still faithful to my errors, but Tory or Radical or Home Ruler, I am always affectionately yours To Samuel G. Ward ELG 36 West 10th St., New York, February 4, 1892 (Ward Papers, MH) To James Bryce My DEAR WARD: I have heard with real concern of your ill- 36 West 10th St., Christmas Day [1891] ness. (Bryce Papers, Oxford University) You know very well I hope, how much I have for SO many years valued your friendship and sympathy, and how sorry I was My DEAR BRYCE: I wonder if you could help me to get hold of that circumstances took you away from New York; and I have (by purchase) the first two vols of Hodgskin's "Italy and Her In been looking forward with great pleasure to seeing you in Wash- vaders" and the first of Gardner's Hist. of "The Great Civil ington next month when my wife and I go on with Mrs. Kuhn War." I did not bethink me of buying either of them until the for a short visit. I will insist on believing with Seneca, that nothing second vol. appeared and the first was then gone. This is what can happen but good to a really good man, such as I believe you often happens with books of several vols. published at long inter to be, and in this opinion I am sure I have the hearty concurrence vals. You are expected to know it is going to be a great work as of the gods. soon as the first vol. is issued. I have had half a mind to write to ELG Hodgskin, whom I do not know, when I saw he had been lectur ing against Home Rule, to say that he would be much better employed getting out a reprint of his first two vols. I have been trying to get the two somewhere for a year. To I. Wayne MacVeagh Things are in a great muddle here politically, but I would still 36 West 10th St., New York, February 4, 1892 bet on Cleveland against the field. Domestically we all have the (Mac Veagh Papers, PHi) grippe but it is lighter this year than last. Things in Ireland are most disappointing and depressing. This My DEAR MACVEAGH: I was composing a letter to you, in my fighting at elections is disgusting everybody here[.] What the mind congratulating you on being chosen by Harvard to make raison d'étre of the Parnellite party is, is not apparent at this dis the address on Lowell, when I heard of your illness. I was going tance. Surely English interest in Home Rule must be declining. to say, and I now say it, that none of your friends could have