New-York tribune., 1872-07-23
Mr.. SCHURZ At ST. LOUIS.


one of those miracles which the increasing
efficiency of the telegraph has made common
place, we lay before our readers this morning
the entire address. 1t is doubtless somewhat
marred by the mistakes unavoidable in the
telegraphic transmission of documents OF such
length; but it will at once be accepted as
one of the greatest of Mr.. SchuTz'S many
brilliant speeches. 1t is characterized
by the breadth of thought and dignity OF
tone, the keenness of penetration, the sharp
ness of analysis, and the rapid, impassioned,
yet concise language which give to all
of them a charm found in few cOtemporary
productions of the same class. 1t bristles
with sharp points. The pictures of the Presl-
dent running from Washington to Long
Branch, like a boy let out of school; of a
yagrant Cabinet travelling all over the Union
on the business of denomination, of ian Ad-
" ministration gone out of town." and for
" eign ministers in the capital of the nation
"looking for the Government of the United
Estates as for a lost child or horse strayed
&" or stolen,n are both striking and true to the
life; and the personal anecdote propos of the
Santo Domingo scheme will be read with
interest, we fancy, by both parties. 1t is
not for its sharp points, however, and
its vivid pictures, that we rate this
speech so highly; but we find here
comprehensive and clear survey of
the work of the Administration, It's miserable
failure in the South, its shameful nepOtism,
its prostitution of the patronage, its demoral-
ization of the civil service, its misconduct in
the West Indies, and its protection of corrupt
servants. The Characterization of President
Grant is admirable Senator SchuTz does not
accuse the President of CGsarism: "He is by
"no means a monster of iniquity. He is sim
"ply a man who makes use of his high official
"position to suit his own convenience, regard
"less of other interests. He does not sit in
"hs closet, a designing usurper, pondering
chow he may subvert the free institutions of
the Republic neither does he ponder how he
"may preserve them; he does not ponder at
ALL be simply wants to carry point, and
"when, as in the Santo Domingo case,
"the Constitution happens to stand in his
"way, he just walks over it,"
Of far more alarming import, however, ac-
cording to Mr.. Schurz, than the faults and
follies of the Administration, "is the clrcum-
stance that the Republican party, that party
" once so nODl6 IN lUS impulses anu ledIItSS III
"its action, has not only lost the ability to
&" rise up against such misdeeds and abuses,
"but even the spirit to discern between right
{" and wrong, and call things by their right
"names." 1t has become the personal follow
ing of one man, doing his bidding in every
thing, working for his individual convenience,
covering up his sins, and prosecuting all whom
he wishes to punish. But new spirit has
gone out into the people. A nObler aim than
party triumph, a higher duty than party
orthodoxy, anlmates the country, and the re
form in which Mr.. Schurz has been such a
gallant leader is already near its accomplish
ment.
Nothing in all this brilliant and persuasive
address will attract more or more deserved
attention than the brief correspondence be-
tween Mr.. Schurz and Mr.. Greeley. Readers
of The TRIBUNE have had no need to be told
of Mr.. Greeley's views on Civil Service Re-
form or his desire to see the multitudinOus
professions in its favor reduced TO practice.
But his enemies chose to make this the focus
of their envenOmed attacks, and here there
fore Mr.. Schurz was most anxious for an au-
thoritative response. He and his enthusiastic
st. Louis audience accepted it as conclusive -
the Country will do the same.