Vol 3 Section 0533

Warren Leary of Elmira, N.Y. wrote to Sam thanking him for his kindness in sending his sister inscribed books, and signing “Your sincere and grateful little friend” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote “Katy’s nephew” on the env.

February 9 Saturday – Harper’s Weekly ran an article to answer the question, “Is the Philippine Policy of the Administration Just?” John Kendrick Bangs answered in the affirmative, while Mark Twain took the opposition. See Bigelow’s Feb. 19 reference to the argument.

Edward Peterson wrote from Stratford, Iowa with compliments of Twain’s “Sitting in Darkness” article, which made him want to shout “Hurrah for Mark Twain” [MTP].

“Rob Roy” (anonymous) wrote on National Arts Club notepaper with compliments of Twain’s “Sitting in Darkness” article [MTP].

Gordon Waldron of Toronto wrote compliments of Twain’s “Sitting in Darkness” article [MTP].

February 10 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “Maybe the Welchs from Hartford” [NB 44 TS 6].

Charles Johnston of Flushing, N.Y. wrote compliments of Twain’s “Sitting in Darkness” article; he mentioned the pleasure of meeting him at Mrs. Boudinot Keiths’ Studio a few weeks ago [MTP]. Note: Mrs. Boudinot Keith was Dora Wheeler Keith, daughter of Candace Wheeler and longtime friend of the Clemenses.

M.S. Van Holland of Brooklyn wrote to Sam, against his article “Sitting in Darkness,” asking where was Twain’s authority for claiming “we have been treacherous”? Since we were at war with Spain, taking the Philippines was spoils for the victor; Van Holland blamed Aguinaldo for the treachery [MTP].

February 11 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Carnegie Hall, Lincoln’s birthday.  School of citizenship & patriotism”

[NB 44 TS 6].

The New York Times, Feb. 13, p.1, reported on this evening’s tribute to Lincoln and Sam’s speech at Carnegie Hall.

BLUE AND GRAY PAY TRIBUTE TO LINCOLN

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Celebration at Carnegie Hall in Aid of Memorial University.

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HOW TWAIN SAVED THE UNION

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Humorist Moves His Audience to Laughter,

Then to Seriousness—Col. Watterson’s Eulogy of the Great War President.

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Two self-confessed Confederates—Samuel L. Clemens and Henry Watterson paid a high tribute to Abraham Lincoln last evening. Incidentally the humorist told how both of them saved the Union when Col. Watterson failed to follow the advice of Second Lieut. Twain and drive Gen. Grant across the country into the Pacific Ocean.

It was the celebration of the ninety-second anniversary of the birthday of Lincoln, and was for the benefit of the Lincoln Memorial University at Cumberland Gap, Tenn. The boxes were crowded. High in the family circle were grouped over 500 singers, under the command of Frank Damrosch, and they sang the great war songs so that the audience at each burst of a new melody rose and faced the singers.

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