258 DEMOCRATIC ART 



In culture, as it at present exists, the forces are alien and 

 antagonistic to Democracy. Therefore Whitman attacks it 

 vigorously in a long polemical argument : 



Dominion strong is the body's; dominion stronger is the mind's. 

 What has filled, and fills to-day our intellect, our fancy, furnishing the 

 standards therein, is yet foreign. The great poems Shakespeare in- 

 cluded are poisonous to the idea of the pride and dignity of the 

 common people, the life-blood of Democracy. The models of our litera- 

 ture, as we get it from other lands, ultramarine, have had their birth in 

 courts, and basked and grown in castle sunshine j all smells of princes' 

 favours. Of workers of a certain sort, we have, indeed, plenty, contri- 

 buting after their kind; many elegant, many learned, all complacent. 

 But, touched by the national test, or tried by the standards of Demo- 

 cratic personality, they wither to ashes. I say I have not seen a single 

 writer, artist, lecturer, or what not, that has confronted the voiceless, 

 but ever erect and active, pervading, underlying will and typic aspiration 

 of the land, in a spirit kindred to itself. 



Culture is good enough in its way ; but it is not what 

 forms a manly personality, as sound and simple faith. * As 

 now taught, accepted, and carried out, are not the processes 

 of culture rapidly creating a class of supercilious infidels, who 

 believe in nothing ? Shall a man lose himself in countless 

 masses of adjustments, and be so shaped with reference to 

 this, that, and the other, that the simply good and healthy, 

 and brave parts of him are reduced and chipped away, like 

 the bordering of box in a garden ? You can cultivate corn, 

 and roses, and orchards ; but who shall cultivate the primeval 

 forests, the mountain peaks, the ocean, and the tumbling 

 gorgeousness of the clouds ? Lastly is the readily given 

 reply that culture only seeks to help, systematise, and put 

 in attitude the elements of fertility and power, a conclusive 

 reply ? ' The only culture useful to Democracy is bound to 

 aim less at polish and refinement of taste than at the bracing 

 of character. 'It must have for its spinal meaning the 

 formation of typical personality of character, eligible to the 

 uses of the high average of men and not restricted by condi- 

 tions ineligible to the masses. The best culture will always 

 be that of the manly and courageous instincts, and loving 

 perceptions, and of self-respect.' 



