The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-02
GEN. CARL SCHURZ.

manding ability as scholar ana rheto-
rician. His command of language is mar
velous, and some of the finest writing we
have vet read has come from his pen. But
what McCauley says of Lord Bacon Is sad !
w true of Mr.. Schurz as politician: "No
man ever talked better, and no man ever
acted worse.n He began his political life
in Wisconsin by seeking the gubelnatorlal
nomination of that state in 1858. The con-
vention nominated Alexander Randall, late
postmaster-G General, and rendered Schurz
the position of Lieutenant Governor, which
he Indignantly refused, and either bolted
the nomination, or allowed others to do SO
ON his account he thus put the ticket III
jeopardy at o most critical period In the
history of the Republican party. MIR.
Schurz then attempted to place the Repuo-
licans of Wisconsin upon the dangerous
ground of States Rights, as interpreted by
the Supreme court of the state, IN the great
trials of Booth and Ryecroit, under the fu-
gitive slave act. That court decided that |
it was not bound by the decisions OF the |
Supreme court of the United States, and
having refused decision of its superlors re- |
fused to send up a record ofthe Booth case
for review, thus initiating judicial rebel
lion for the purpose of preventing the exc
cuton of the fugitive slave act. While all
Republicans, and indeed the great body of
the people, detested the fugitive slave
law, they did not accept this as the proper
mode Of opposing it. "
Under the lead Of Mr.. Schurz an attempt
was made to commit the Republican party
to this dangerous position. Those who re-
fused to accept the doctrine Of State Rights
were prescribed, and their fidelity to the
party put in doubt. Timothy O.. Howe,
the one Republican, to whom all hearts
turned as the fittiNg representative OF Wis
consin in the Senate of the United States,
was laid aside because he would not come
upon the new platform, and Doolittle, a
Democrat six months before, was nominate
ed. with what result the country knows
Later, the people regretted the plausible
heresy which had bewildered them for the
moment, and elected Judge Howe to seat
in the Senate, which he now adorns. This
ended the influence of Carl Schurz in Wis
cons,n as a leader. His great ability gave
him representative character, and secured
for him diplomatic appointment from MIR
lincoln, which took him out of the country
for short time. Returning from abroad
to take part in the war, he was at onc'
placed in high military command. Hi
career in the army was short; we presume
from the great abundance of political gen
erals then in the field, who crowded hin
out, as they did other capable officers.
OF General Schurz's courage, we have nj
~ doubt, but it could hardly be expected tina
a man who knew nothing of soldering
should acquire at once the experience essen
tial, to make great commander.
From the army General Sehurz went
Michigan and edited, very ably as we think
the Detroit Post but the paper did nc
prove success, and he removed to Mis-
souri,. After short residence, he cam
into the Senate as the representative of
Republican constituency in that STATE
Without provocation or excuse he Joine
coalition which resulted in the overthro'
of the Republican party of Missouri, an
= the election Of Frank Blair as his colleagu
to the Senate. His war upon Gener
Grant grew out of this last and wickede
act of his political life, and has been pro
ecuted with unrelenting energy from th'
time. By such conduct as this, Mr.. Schul
has forfeited all claim to be considered
Republican or safe and reliable state
man. We esteem this last act OF his ;
unspeakably wicked and mischievons'
was treacherous and dishonorable b
travail of a sacred trust.
He commenced his political life as
bolter. seeking to dsorganize the Repub
can party before he had fairly gotten IN
it. and he has been disorganizer ev
since. The party owes nothing to N
Schurz. His influence with his own cou
trymen is not extensive or powerful, al
he has received for his services afull equiv
lent. He has now mounted the Civil 81
vice Reform as his most convenient hobb
TO rue q Illt dHtiiioO Wv s'N''S" "e'0
Under the specious disguise Of reform'
he vents his spleen upon General Graz
who. more than any other President beit
him, has endeayored to purify and eleV'
the service. The great purpose OF his L
turing through the country, is to organ
the insignificant crowd Of dissatisfied !
publicans with the passive Democrats, N
Departurists, and the like, into an oppo
ton party, with Gratz Brown at its head
said party to be run by Carl Schurx
prime minister. This is avery pretty tn
on paper, and looms up grandly to the 2
Grstz Brown for President and Carl Sch
Secretary Of State would certainly be
gratifying combination to some families
know of, and that is the Interpretation
Civil Service Reform as rendered by
eloouent senator from Missouri.