Preview
Identifier
MSS114_B01F02_028
Creation Date
12-10-1894
Keywords
Paul Laurence Dunbar, primary sources, Black history, Black poets, prominent Ohioans
Description
(Page 1)
(Postscript carried from end of letter) Send me a copy of your latest book, and a copy of “Courier-Journal” with criticism reference.
(Start of letter)
Monday Dec 10:94.
Dear Mr. Dunbar
I have just finished your very interesting letter and I thank you very kindly for the kind reference to myself which your letter contained. I think that our people are yet to young to appreciate the dignity and worth of the few geniuses it has been our good fortune to process. And the “irony of fate” to which one of your Southern critics so feelingly alludes too or in other words the crude peculiarities of our semi-socialized-civilization prevents our whiter brothers from giving the encouragement to __ merits which genius should command. “Seven cities mourned, Homer dead -
Thro’ which the living Homer -
begged for bread!” is a lamentation and a scandal from which the intellectual world has never recovered. … I am very glad that the fair Southland – land of my birth – should be the first to open its doors to you and to
(Page 2)
speed you onward in your mission to conquer new worlds and to redeem the fair name of Ethiop’s race. You inquire in such a half-doubting tone what does it all amount to? It was Job’s inquiry and in spite of this impetuosity he was compelled to suffer, labour and wait until his energies bore for him its proper fruition. By patience and energy this muchly misrepresented genius distinguished himself. True, faith was an essential element in his work, but it was the quality of faith which was born of an infallible conversion that merit and merit alone would in the end accomplish all. And by that sign, Job conquered. So mote it be with poor, humble, industrious, Paul Dunbar. “The world is mine,” declared Monte Christo, when he beheld the Ambition of his life like a mirage spread out before him. And then with that energy born of desperation he concentrated his efforts to become the actual person of the things which Hope and Ideal had stimulated him to work for. Let this be an inspiration. Nothing is impossible. Know
(Page 3)
thou thyself. Choose your ideal, then labour to make it your own. Never forget the fact that you are only a part of the world. That you have your sphere, and, that you can be King, Lord, Monarch of all you survey! But stop, I your servant am usurping the functions of my master. But I know by the faith I have in your friendship that your good sense will permit the mantle of the charity to cover over these little friendly impertinence. And now a word to the practical. I like the suggestion of your southern admirer. It is a good idea and strikes me as being a tangible one. It ought to be of great financial benefit to you. I have given the matter some thought and have about concluded that if you can make arrangements to come East. I will arrange one grand reading for you in our leading Hall. I can then give one or two smaller affairs. My idea would be to have you and Miss Georgiane (?) Kelly of Balt., Md. a young elocutionist who
(Page 4)
Thus far has received very flattering comments for her histrionic talents appear separately-together, to have an orchestra and I think this would make a hit. I could also arrange to have an entertainment for you in Harrisburg, the capital of the state two nights before you appeared here. What do you think about it? Let me know at once! and I will proceed to make arrangements. I enclose a circular of which I have the financial backing. I am a real-estate broker by proffession (sic), but every season manage to give two or three concerts of a high-toned nature. Let me hear from you at once. Of course, I shall make arrangements for New York appearance. If you decide to try it, be sure and forward the newspaper criticisms you have heard. Also get the Sun matter attended too.
Very sincerely, (illegible; perhaps Thomas W. Swanson)
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Primary Item Type
Personal Correspondence
Rights
This item is part of the Paul Laurence Dunbar House collection at Ohio History Connection, Columbus, Ohio. The collection contains items from 219 N. Summit St., Dayton, Ohio (later 219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St.), the home Dunbar purchased for his mother, Matilda J. Dunbar, in 1904. Paul Laurence Dunbar lived there until his death in 1906; Matilda lived there until her death in 1934. It is now the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site, part of the National Park Service.
Keywords
Paul Laurence Dunbar, primary sources, Black history, Black poets, prominent Ohioans
