Vol 3 Section 0512

aspires to add to his own abundant laurels those which lesser men acquire by the maintenance of a consistent gravity. This has now and then proved confusing, even to some of his most ardent admirers, and we very much fear lest his present assumption of anti-imperialism’s garments may deceive the hasty-minded into thinking that he wears them from choice and habit. Of course Mr. Clemens is not so poor a jester that he need paint large on every one of his inventions, “This is a joke,” but he should not go to the other extreme and trust too confidently to the existence of a universal sense of humor. When he talks about the United States flag as “polluted,” it would be only reasonable caution to give us all a reassuring and explanatory wink. Else may mistakes follow—mistakes the consequences of which to his popularity may be serious.

This letter to the editor typified much of the critical response to Sam’s City Club remarks of Jan. 4:

PHILIPPINES AND MARK TWAIN.

————

To the Editor of the New York Times:

In this morning’s TIMES you quote Mark Twain as saying, in his speech before the City club, that “he knew enough about the Philippines to have a strong aversion to sending our bright boys out there to fight with a disgraced musket under a polluted flag,” &c.

Now, will THE TIMES be kind enough to get Mr. Twain to explain just what the musket has done to become disgraced and the flag to be polluted, either in the Philippines or anywhere else on this earth where it has been carried? He admits that he doesn’t know much about finance; it may turn out that he knows still less about the Philippines.

Perhaps Mr. Twain does not expect the public to take anything that he says seriously, except his humor.

C.S.H.B.

January 8 Tuesday – At 1410 W. 10^th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to retired General Oliver O. Howard, founder of Howard University. Howard had been Supt. Of West Point in 1881-2.

“I’m venturing to accept—on condition that you will be frank & disinvite me if you find you don’t want a person of my stripe after you read my article in next North American Review. I give you my word I shall not take offense” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the top margin: “Very sorry to miss you.” Sam’s anti-imperialist article, “To the Person Sitting in Darkness” was to run in the Feb. Issue of the N.A.R.

Livy wrote to Mrs. Fuller:

Thank you so much for the chickens which you kindly sent me.

We have not yet come to the eating of them but I am sure they will be delicious.

What beautiful weather we are having. It must make you feel contented at being in the North.

With my kind regards to you both believe me / Cordially … [MTP].

January 9 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “Harvey 1 PM / Lawyer’s Club / Harmsworth. / Carriage will call at 12.30 / Prof. Sloan, 8 o’ck / 109 E. 69th” [NB 44 TS 3].

At 1410 W. 10^th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to nephew Samuel E. Moffett on Solon Robinson’s letter of this date. Robinson was seeking heirs of John M. Clemens, Jr., a nephew of John Marshall Clemens. “You answer him if you like, Sam,—I lack interest” [MTP].

Solon Robinson wrote from Jamestown, Tenn. to Sam trying to locate heirs of Sam’s father. Jamestown was the residence of Sam’s parents before moving to Missouri [MTP]. Note: See above.

SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.