SD2259. Horace Greely, et al. to Editor of The Athenæum
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 356.
New York
April 5. [1859]
We have noticed with surprise your paragraph conerning Madame Mario, in the Athenæum of March 5, and forward, for publication in your columns, the Brownings’ letter and her reply. It seems strange that you should accuse an English woman, who seems never to shrink from a frank avowal of, and a loyal adherence to, her principles, of a moral forgery, of which the American press unanimously acquitted her. Madame Mario came here strongly recommended by English men and women well known to us, and, as such, was welcomed by us in her personal capacity. Her lectures on Italy have been heard and judged in America on their own merits; and on these alone has their success depended. She has never, so far as we know, spoken in her public lectures of testimonials from the Brownings, or intimated that they endorsed her views; and we do not doubt that, in all her social intercourse, she has, where they have been mentioned, frankly spoken, as some of us have heard her do at social gatherings, of their dissent from her on the Italian problem; and this long before their letter appeared. Had she done otherwise, it would not have affected the question. Highly as we esteem the Brownings, we are accustomed to judge for ourselves in political matters; and Mrs. Browning’s good opinion of Louis Napoleon will not give him a passport to our hearts. Neither need it be inferred that, while deeply sympathizing in the noble cause for which Madame Mario toils, we, by this vindication of her personal integrity, necessarily endorse all her views of the Italian question.
Very respectfully yours, Horace Greeley, Editor of the Tribune; Marens Spring; Henry J. Raymond, Editor of the Times; Harry W. Bellows; Lucretia Mott; Henry Ward Beecher.
Text: The Athenæum, 30 April 1859, p. 584.
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