Whitman's Democratic Citizen

Abstract

In 1858 a series of essays titled Manly Health and Training made their appearance in the New York Atlas, written by Walt Whitman under the penname of Mose Velsor. The professed goal was to discuss suggestions and ideas to improve the general physical condition of its readers. Whitman regarded this as a necessary condition to match America’s democratic character. Indeed, from reading his guide we can see how for him the health of the body politic is dependent on the health and physical vigour of its citizens. In typical Whitman fashion, the essays address a multitude of topics other than the usual issues expected of a fitness manual. Besides the customary issues of diet and exercise, he also talks politics, morality, the weather, longevity, Greek athleticism, hygiene habits. This article will focus on Whitman’s thoughts about the physical standards he believed the American people ought to meet to sustain American democracy, link this with Whitman’s view of Ulysses Grant as an example of the ‘ideal’ American citizen and also venture why he was so understanding towards the latter during his troubled presidency.