New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1867-07-02
MARCUS OTTER BURG, MINISTER
TO MEXICO.

The great New York dailies seem to be as
much at loss to know who our new MeXi-
can minister is as they were a few months
ago to learn the antecedents Of McCracken.
But the Chicago dailies, that seem to lead
their New York namesakes in everything
except timidity and conservatism, know all
about the minister, and in the followinglet-
ter give a spicy review of his public SCI .ces
during the past few years:
Marcus Otterburg, the newly appointed
minister to Mexico, was formerly resident
of Wisconsin. The writer enjoyed the honor
and pleasure OF his acquaintance. He is
not, as the Ecea'Eg JouraC. pictures bin,
ga man of fine appearance OF small
stature, Mexican complexion, and endowed
with hurried and nervous motions and
gesticulations of French dandy, his eX-
| terror is probably somewhat less captivating
| than that of his torefather, Isaac, when Re
becca's heart yielded to his manly grace. Ot-
terburg was never noted for his talent, un-
| less the pertinacity with which he always
sought TO further his own interest be token
| of genius.
When the Republican party had gained a
majority in Wisconsin,, he courageously
proclaimed its most radical principles in
every Milwaukee saloon where free
speech was tolerated. He was rewarded
with the office of doorkeeper or postmaster
in the next state leglilature. His political
| star began to ascend. During the presiden-
tial campaign which followed, he became the
constant attendant of General Carl Schurz.
The general did not desire this. He found
it difficult to tolerate the seryile attentions
| forced upon him by the present minister,
but Otterburg was resolved to bask in the
political sunshine which at that time began
to concentrate upon Schurz, ana his per
| sstency conquered the good nature OF the
| general. Wherever SchurZ appeared in
public, at every crossroads, in every
| sChoolhouse, on every balcony, Marcus
Ot.erburg was his inevitable shadow. The
talented German orator could no more
escape from the eX-doorKeeper IMAM nc
could from his rising fame. whenever the
public became camorous for SchurZ, Mar
Gus would step forward and, bowling like
French dancing master, he would proceed
TO inform his patriotic fellow citizens that
"his friend" would make his appearance in
a few moments. Whenever, at the close OF
one of his mastery perorations, Schurz re-
tired amid the enthusiasm and applause of
the audience Marcus would still linger upon
the balcony, smiling and smirking at the
excited crowd. SchurZ was disgusted, but
Marcus persisted in accompanying him. He
followed SchurZ to Washington, aud here,
as on the hustings in Wisconsin, he managed
to ''surroundn the general on every public
occasion. Politicians were led to believe, by
mere force of appearances that Otterburg
was man of consequence, perhaps one OF
the influential representatives of the Ger
man element of the Union. He saw his ad-
vantage, improved the occasion, and bowed
and smiled and smirked himself into the
the Mexican consulate. Rumor charges him
l with treason to the Monroe doctrine and
brands him as hireling of Maximilian.
judging from the consistent and pertina-
: cious political dsinterestedness OF his past
conduct the truth of this runor may posi-
bly admit of some doubt. Though he has
changed, from an ultra radical 70 an al
# mireT ana advocate of my policy as his
l. appointment necessarily proves, We should
II remember that the man who chooses poll
tics as his vocation, while he may be alluret
by the honor and title of official position
will seldom sell his principles for money;
EDMUND JUSSES.