The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-08
MISSOURI.
Senator SchurZ on His Attitude In Com
gress-ExpIanatiOns to His COnstitu-

Senator Schurz on His Attitude In Con-
gress-Ex plantations to His COnstitu-
ents.
The following extract from the speech of
Senator Schurz, at the seTenade given HMM st.
Louis on Tuesday last, presents its principal
points,
In the constitutional limitation of political powers,
We find, as our ancestors always have found the
main safeguards OF popular liberty. And when
those constitutional limitations are dlsregarded,
even for the protection of the rights OF
danger brought upon the rights of all. The safe
guards OF cur common rights and liberties contained
in the Constitution are too sacred and valuable
boon to be permanently jeopardized in providing
for passing emergency. For reasons like these I
found self compelled TO oppose the socalled Ku-
kux bill even against majority of my party friends
But a still more striking instance of that loose
ness OF constitutional notions revealed Itself in that
most 1agrant usurpation Of the war-making power
by the Executive IN the Santo Domingo case, an
attempt not only utterly without parallel in the
history Of the country but without the shadow Of
constitutional argument to palliate lG. Startling
that attempt was more startling is it that such an
should so far have passed without declaration
of sentiment i'll Congress, preventing 1t from be-
coming most dangerous precedent in our history
But worse still is it, that such an act can be COM
mtted without at least atousiDg public opinion to
a commanding demonstration OF disapproval 1t is
indeed, time that the American people should open
their eyes to the dangerous character OF this ten
dency, and that neither great name nor an object
appealing to our sympatnies should be permitted to
As for me- have seen the working OF irresponsi-
bic power and personal government In other COun-
uies, and may assure my constituents that while
am citizen of this Republic shall strnggle TO the
last gasp against its introduction here. Great
cheeF1ng.)
j shall as heretofore, give my earnest efforts to
the subject OF civil service REFORM not oRly with
view TO raise the standard Of working efficiency III
the service of the Government, but TO the abolition
OF the patronage or more properly the spoils sys-
TEN, which surrounds the Executive with syco-
phauts and as once expressed 1t in another place,
makes the atmosphere OF the White House 80 thick
with fialtery that the sOuud-wave OF pubic opRion
cannot penetrate 1t. Great cheering) system
which is transforming into oicemongers the repre-
sentatives OF the people is most seriously endan-
gering the independence OF the legislative branch
Of the Government, and Is gradually demoralizing
our whole political lfe
Finally, you win find my voice and my vote in op-
position 10 that most unjust system OF taxation
which, by means OF a high protective tariff, under
the pretense OF developing certain industrial inte-
Tess, takes money out OF the pockets OF the many
and puts il into the pockets OF the feW-(checrs)-
instead the treasury Of the people; and in favsr
OF such an adjustment Of will distribute
most equally the common burden, reducing taxation
to as low point will be compatible with the
sCientious discharge OF cur national obligations and
| an economical administration OF the Government.
Here, my friends, you have IN few words my poll
| teal programme touching the most important
promising maintenance OF equal rights as guaran-
| teed by the Constitution as it is; amnesty and a
policy calculated to restore raterna feeling; strict
fidelity TO the essential principles of constitutional
government; reform Of the civil service; revenue
! reform, and reduction of taxes In these things
honestly believe and in working for their Tealiza
! tion am profoundly in earnest.