1984 Foreword (Whitman) Tom wanted to be a poet

[Terrance]

Michael Joseph wrote:
> 
> Though writing in 1855, Whitman is essentially articulating a view of
> America that is consonant with the writings of Emerson, Thoreau, and early
> Melville, a view characteristic more of Jacksonian America than of his own
> melancholy time-which might be your point. 

Ever read his "The Eighteenth Presidency"? 

http://www3.uakron.edu/english/miller/ampolylit/18prez.html

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/Whitman/vistas/vistas.html

Whitman was not read much.  Sort of like Melville. So much for his
American poet saving democracy for the common man.