The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1862-03-26
speech of Carl schurz.

The speech of Carl Schurz, delivered at
the Cooper Institute, New York-which has
been greatly misrepresented by papers who
have not dared TO print it that their readers
might judge of its merits themselVes-con-
tains many passages Of surprising power
and eloquence. We cannot refrain from
copying one portion where be addressed
himself to the loyal men of the South,
regrelting that we have not the room to
print the whole speech:
"But while am little inclined to pay
much regard to the feelings of the Rebels,
who would delight in cutting our throats,
| deem it our daty to treat with respect the
opinion of the loyal men of the South, on
whose fidelity the whirls of Rebellion rag
ing around them have no power. / have
heard il said that any measure touching
Slavery in any WaF would drive them =nKer
Is their loyalty of 30 uncertain a complex
ion that they will remain true to the Union
only as long as the Union does nothing
which they do not fancy? What, then,
would distinguish Them f:om the traitors2-
for the traitors too would have adhered to
the Union if they had been permitted to
rule it. Cheers. Ii is impossiblel What
ever they might feel inclined to do if their
rights were attacked in an unconstitutional
manner, to constitutional measures, consti-
tutioualIy enacted and carried out, true
Union man will never offer resistance.
Applause As we listen with respect to
their opinions, so they will listen respectful
ly to our advice. II we speak to them as
friends, they win not turn away from US as
enemies / would say to them:
You, Union men of the South, have
faithfully elnng to the cause of our common
country, although your education, the cir
cumstances in which you lived, and the
voice of your neighbOrs were well calcu-
lated to call you to the other side. You
have resisted temptation which to many
proved fatal. For this we honor you.
We labor aud fight side by side to restore
the Union to its ancient greatness, and to
their purity the eternal principles upon
which it can safely and permanently rest.
What will you have-a Union continually
tottering upon its foundation, or a Union
of truly united people, Union OF COM
mon principles, common interests, com
mon honor and common destiny2 We
do not work for ourselves alone; we are not
responsible to ourselves alone, but also to
posterity. What legacy will you leave to
| your children-neW struggles. new dam
| gers, new revulsions, or future of peace
| full progress? An unfinished, trembling
| edifice, that may some day tumble down
over their heads, because its foundations
| were not firmly laid, or a house resting
upon the firm rock of truly free Govern
ment, in which untold millions may qui-
etly and harmoniousIy dwell2 We do not
| mean to disregard the obligations we owe
you, neither constitutional obligations nor
/ those which spring from your claims to our
gratitude. We do not mean that you shall
suffer in right or fortune, nor to tear you
forcibly from your ways and habits of life.
/ But let us reason together. Do you think
that Slavery will live always7 Consider
this question calmly and without prejudice
or passion. Do you think it will live al
ways. in spite of the thousand agencies
which in this Nineteenth Century of ours,
are busy working its destruction Ii can
| not be. Its end will come one day, and
that day is brought nearer by the suicidal
war which, in this rebellion, Slavery is
waping against itself. Aud how do you
wish that this end should be =? A violent
eonvuIsion. or the result of quiet and
peaceful reform Win you leave it to
chance. or would yon not rather keep this
certain development under the moderating
control of your voluntary actiou2 There
is but one way of avoiding new struggle;
and a final revulsion and that is by com
mencing a vigorous progressive reform II
time. 10 time, l say-and when will th'
time have arrived? Either you contro
this development by wise measures seasona
! bly, adopted-or il viii control you. How
long will you wait? You speak Of difheui
tiesf | see them-they are great, yerl
great. But will they not be twenty time
greater twenty years hence, unless yo'
speedily commence to remove them2 Yo'
ask me, What shall we do with our ne
proes. wko are now four millions2 And
ask you, What win you do with them whe
. they will be eight millions-oE rather, Whs