Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-03-04
CARL scHURz.
Graphic sketch OF the Missouri
v1fTa ar ~ BenatOr.aa

yet forty-three years old He was born
at Liblar, near Cologne, Germany, March
2, 1929, and was educated at the collie
giate institution in Cologne, and after
ward at the University Of Bonn. He
was editor Of paper identified with the
revolution Of l848. He took part in the
defense of Rastadt, after which he fed
to Switzerland. Subsequently he re-
sided in Paris and London, where he
was o teacher and a newspaper CORE
spondent for three years. He emigrated
to this country in 1852. In 1860 he was
a delegate to the Chicago convention,
taking leading part in its proceedings.
He was selected by President Lincoln,
in 1861, as minister TO Spain, which
position he soon resigned TO receive the
appointment Of brigadier general OF
volunteers. He was engaged at the
second battle of Bull Run, and at the
battles of Charlottesville, Gettysburg
and Chattanooga. After the war he
was appointed a commissioner to visit
the Southern States and report upon
the affairs Of the Freedmen's bu-
reau. In 1865 and 1866 he was
Washington correspondent Of the New
York Tribune, and he was subsequently,
connected with the press Of Detroit and
ST. Louis. He was delegate to the
Chicago Convention Of 1868, and was
elected to the United States Senate
to succeed Henderson. he took his seat
March 4, 1869, and his term of service
will expire March 3, 1875. His career
as Senator may have said to have Just
begun.
Physically he is tall, sinewey, and
lean. His physiognomy is pure Teu-
tonic. A fair forehead, under dark
brown, carelessly combed hair; sallow
cheeks; sharply-cut nose, with deep
indentations above haring nostrils
reddish mustache and reddish beard,
pretty closely trimmed; a strong jaw,
and lips thai can smile sweetly or curl
into a sneer like Mephistophiles's own,
and eyes singularly expressive and pierre
ing-these are the features of Carl Shurz.
Between II and II every forenoon he
walks up the avenue to the capitol with
a heavy overcoat wrapped around him,
his left hand holding its folds together
over his chest, and his right hand swing
ing Malacca cane. rn# eF0
In the senate, divested Of his over:oat,
his figure appears the more 1.-THE and
slender. His movements are in striking
contrast with the slow, formal, and stu d.
led movements of many of the older
senators, being full of nervous vivacitY
and grace. His manner is courtesy it.
self. Generally, his first business after
taking his seat appears to be the wiping
of his spectacles with a spotless ha nd
kerchief. By the time this little thing
is done, the senator has, in series of
swift glances surveyed the chamber, gal
leries and al; and many are the imp err
ceptible signs of personal recognition
which fash from his keen eyes. In the
time of debate he is a careful listener.
He never insults an adversary while that
adversary is speaking by a mean pre-
tence of being engaged in letter
writing, or the examination of pa
pers; on the contrary, it seems natu-
raj TO Senator Schurz to preserve the
demeanor of gentleman toward all his
associates at all times. This politeness
on his part doubtless has its influence.
in conjunction with the fascination of
his abilities, to secure for him, whenever
he himself arises TO address the senate,
an attentive audience on the hoor.l He
is always charged with something to say
on every important question; but he has
the sense and tact 10 reserve himself for |
occasions when his voice and influence |
could not well be spared. He is never |
trivial; never makes much Of small |
topics. Therefore, when Carl Schurz
gets on his feet, there is generally rea-
son for it, and he does not sit down with
out vindicating some principle worthy
Of such an advocate. I4lo
In debate fitted like this one to call
out all his powers, he makes a magni-
cent figure. His firm yet elastic posture;
his gestures, commanding, graceful, We
hement; bis voice, now ringing loud, now
subdued to impressive monotones; his
German accent; the close
reasoning, cumulative logic, sarcasm,
and eloquence of his speech; its fine,
nervous English; and above and beyond
all, the manly earnestness and fervor
with which he is evideHtly defending a
principle dear to his heart, make a great
orator. But this is not all. Nobody can
appreciate the greatness of mind of Carl
Schurz who has not had some opportu-
nifty of approaching the real abilities and
characters Of the men whom he has been
called upon to oppose in the senate.
There are some very vulgar, enyious
traits among these senators, associated,
too, with considerable intellectual pow
ers. And there are some intellects
in the chamber which popularly pass
current az great minds that had never
been brought to comparison with a mind
20 bright, clear, direct and keen as Carl
Schurzs. What was chiefly edifying to
4 student of the current debates is the
Of such a mind over the
Dombast, the legal quibbles, the stump
and the rickety logic of sena-
lorial quacks. II suggests the poise of
an eagle in the "blue serene" above a
flock Of claoking wild geese. |
The loveable side of Carl Schurz
character is of course the social and
domestic side. He has a noble wife and
one child, and a quiet home in Wash
ngton. There, on Saturday evenings,
ais friends are entertained with conver-
,ation and music. There is certainly
40 difficulty in eonVersing with the
senator, for he speaks fuently three
languages, and / don't know how many
more. He has true German fondness
or music, and is said to be fine ANA
eur pianist. ff1r FF |
Dickens Account of the Death OF
t.t. ra Grip.
You will be greatly shocked 1.-THE letter
S dated Friday evening, March IL,
ls4l aud grieved TO hear that the raven