The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-09-21
S p Z Z C H
CARL SCHURZ.


So l, rs clearly shewingthe noble charact-
er Of the man
GENTLEMEN:
This demonstration is to me q great
surprise, aud under existing circumstances
it has peculiar value to me. If were
placed at the head of Government, if L
were elevated to power, and [ saw you
thus before me, | might think, they. ap-
plaud nav success; they honor me as
man of influence, rs ono who can scatter
favofs around him. Bat now, coming
from what many would consider person.
al defeat, standing here rs humble prl-
yate individual, with no power at my dis
posaE, and with no favors to bestow, anG
none IN prospect, may say to myself,
that this demonstration of your friendship
i intended for me, the man. If | may
Interpret it thus, then the momory of this
hour will always be one Of the proudest of
M life. know but one way to respond
TO Ills expression Of. your confidence; !
will faithfully endeayor TO deserve it
IChcers.
Tie gentleman Who spoke for you, has
alluded Ia recent occurrences which have
created some eyritenent j hope there
was 20 excitement AMI no regret on my
personnI account. had The proud salts
faction to know that almost all who knew
ne best Stood By me and few Of those
who did not were personally opposed to
me. Is not this enough! zt,.. sa.ri
And here | cannot omit to return my
heartfelt thanks to tho entire Milwaukee
delegation, who supported me, not on any
national grounds, not actuated by nation
nj PRIDE nor in order to effect national
purposes; but from devotion to the great
Interests of our cause. c.'gnizing me
as q faitl ful exponent. Of their primo
PIES.
Look at the facts. NJ name, was
brought forward in connection with the
highest political position in this State;
not in order to solicit at The hands Of the
Republican Convention q vindication Of
NV conduct, or an endorsement Of my
acts. 1t nv Cnduct needed anY vindca-
ton, would he in sorry plight If could
not vindieate it single-handed and alone.
If my acts needed any endorsement, they
would deserve none, if did not find n
sufficient ono in my OWE conscience. But
my friends brought forward my name be-
cause they thought that owing to my Pc
cuiar position could render our cause
an essential service. The majority of the
Convention took another view of the mat
ter, Which, they certainly had right to
do. And suppose even, they COMMITTED
an error of Judgment, which [ certainly
am the last man to determine, who will
undertake to find fault with their mo.
GYes.
The Convention offered me another
nomination, | found that the services |
could render in that capicity, bore 10
portion to tho sacrifices | would have to
bring. Besides, | had to show to the
people of the State, that | do not belong
to that class Of politicians, who will take
anything, in order TO have something,
and l must confess, feel somewhat hu
initiated in finding out that people do not
know that already. There was quos-
tion Of propriety snyoiyed III this matter,
which, as the Convention unfortunately
did not appreciate it, bad to decide for
myfelf | did decide it, consulting the
feelings of my friends and my own honor
aud conscience The greatest dsint, T.
ostcdncss IS not uecess ariy deveii of a
certain kind of pride [ declined, and
for that trust the people Of Wisconsin,
will find no fault with me.
But some people have been whispering
into my ears, for a few days. You have
been badly treated; protested friends
have deceived ven; when the heavy work
is 10 te dcue, they come to you; when re-
wards are to betliB,rbutod, they ignore
your claims: and the like.
But those who speak to me in that way
measure mr. character bv very small
atandarl. Do they expect that my no
lions OF duty shou'd break down under
the tiimSv weight of some small personal
disappointment! Do they think that my
course should be determined by the icb-
10 breezes of fortune! The great Lattle
of princi ples in which weare engaged is
no mere c!ili's play. Wien the dcstl-
n;cs of a nation are the stake Of the strug-
gle, 10 man has q right to call himself q
b faithful soldier, who would refuse to sacr-
lice fer tho public benefit some paltry
personal resentment. - Applause.
4, What, if lal been unbeeominglv
treated! individuals might Lave behay-
cd badly towards me, AMI vet the cause
| advocate has not insultsd me. [ will
give the party leave to tra,nrle upon my
feelings - What, if ha! not been re
wardcd Those must havea small idea
of fhe who think that what did was done
for the sake of reward. l look upon the
offices of our government not as wages
paid for services rendered, but rs oppor-
tunitics given for services to lie rendered.
The party owes me nothing, aud | owe
che party just as much as l owe our
cause, provided the party be = true and
worthy representative of that cause.-
What, if had been deceived! | would
pity those who had deceived me; they
NAV be sorry for Il themselves