WOMAN AND FREEDOM IN WHITMAN 377 



endures but personal qualities." And does he not say, too, "A 

 great city is that which has the greatest men and women?" 

 If it be a "few ragged huts it is still the greatest city in the 

 whole world." Whitman, in accord with the sages of past 

 times, brings his message into relation with our day and ex- 

 istence; and though we are divested and stripped in our strife, 

 and go out naked and alone into the world, we are yet the 

 possessor of all riches and all gain in the possession of the 

 freedom of soul which is Whitman's everlasting theme. 



It cannot be disputed that Whitman allows for women all 

 constitutional rights in state and country; and if stress on 

 my part is laid on this point, it is out of deference to those 

 who believe woman's complete emancipation will come through 

 suffrage. 



Whitman more than once refers to the subject: but, speak- 

 ing on general suffrage, elections, etc., he expresses himself 

 as doubtful whether these will ever secure officially the best 

 results. " Officers, candidacy for them, caucusing money, the 

 favoritism, the interest of rings, the superior manipulation 

 of the ins over the outs," are indeed at best the mere busi- 

 ness agencies of the people, are useful as "formulating neither 

 the best and highest, but the average of the public judgment 

 (or sometimes want of judgment)." But he says, "as to the 

 general suffrage, after all, since we have gone so far, the more 

 general it is the better. I favor the widest opening of the 

 doors. Let the ventilation and area be wide enough, and all 

 is safe." 



In Whitman's plea for equality, and in all due considera- 

 tion of material rights, which to him are only substrata to in- 

 crease man's and woman's height towards spirituality, and 

 in his greetings to worldly prosperity and material comforts 

 and progress, he declares that "the soul of man will not with 

 such only nay, not with such at all be finally satisfied; 

 but needs what (standing on these and on all things, as the 

 feet stand on the ground) is address' d to the loftiest, to itself 

 alone." 



The basis of Whitman's plea for equality is his belief in 

 immortality. He leaves the earth and its belongings below 



