Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-12-27
Carl sehurz at Mechanics, Han.


Hon. Carl Schurz of Wisconsin delivered
his lecture on American Civilization" in this
city, last evening. Hon. Dwight Foster oc.
cupied the chair. The lecturer said, after a
brief introduction, the American people were
seeking, through political organization, to Sc
cure higher civilization. Looking to the old
republics, through the proud period of their
rise and strength there always rose one per-
picking consideration. While their civiliza-
ton advances, and poetry and literature add
their charms to social life, liberty declines.
Why should this be? Why should it be neces
sary to remain rude and brutal, in or
der to be vigorous and free Liberty
is a great good so is civilization
Which shall we give up? Questions like
these often occur to every intelligent mind.
The same moral causes produce the same
moral results If American civilization stand
upon the same basis with the Roman, then,
like that, it must tall to the ground.
The political equality of all endowed with
the principles Of citizenship seems to have
been the leading idea at first. With wealth
came the means of acquiring knowledge. The
disparity between classes of rich and poor be-
came fixed fact, and consequently the privi-
leges of citizenship and political equali
ty became more the advantage of the
rich classes. Democratic liberty persisted
in consequence of its lncompatibility with the
condition of society. The government was
taken from the hands of the many and placed
in the hands of one. While the upper classes
were degraded in the process, the lower did
not rise; and liberty and civilization went
into decay. They failed to preserve liberty
and civilization, because they failed to educate
the masses. The wealthy and educated few
ruled the ignorant many and the ignorant
and poor many, when oppressed, put down the
few.
Of all the nations of the world America is
the most favored. There was never such an
opportunity to unite the different elements of
civilization for harmonious results. For thou
sands of years the nations of the world have
treasured up their results, and the Americans
have only to harvest in order to possess
them; only to gather in order to enjoy This
young republic harbors elements which may
drag down, as well as those which may make
the experiment. great success The banner of
original democracy was planted by those who
first settled the north. The first settlers and
leading spirits who colonized the south were
lacking i'll many of the essentials of true
equality. The formation of large landed es-
tates, making the few lord it over the many,
was one of their characteristics The instruc-
ton of the lower classes of the settlers was
sadly neglected. Not so was it in New En-.
gland. The Puritans were the sternest cham
pions of principle. The salvation Of their
souls was their highest object. Equal in their
social condition, their instincts were all demo
cratic. Equality was secured as well as recog
nized, by extending the system of free public
instruction to the children of all classes
They found the true key to popular liberty.
New England was first the cradle Of American
education, as well as Of independence.
Thus taking their origin from the character
of the first settlers, there have como two dis
tinct currents in American ciyilization-one in
the direction Of social distinctions the other in
the line ef social and political equality. One
said the masses should be ruled the other
that the masses should be educated to the APP
probation and enjoyment of equal rights. II
had been the question of fifty years which
should impress its character on American
life, In this new world the puritans fell
upon that portion which demanded great
physical activity and labor The aristo.
cratic spirit and tendencies OF the slave
states was brought there by the early cavalier
settlers, not by slavery. Philosophically and
practically, many of the leading southern
statesmen in former years deplored the exist
ence Of slavery. But it was congenia will
their phase OF society, and therefore il stands
In New England the sentiment Of political an,
social equality would have put it down even
had been profitable. Whis the absence O
slavery would have facilitated the growth a
the democratic element in The South, it's exis,
ence in New England could not have preyep
ed it.