Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-07-29
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MONDAY. JULY 80, 1879.
Thn1 Accn.nlien Considercd.

MON IA l.
That Accusation Considered.
We became acquainted with Carl Schurz some
twelve or fifteen years ago. Circumstances pre-
disposed us to like him. He seemed to be an
earnest man with high aims and a conscience
one who was not likely to Tifie with the truth
or forget his principles. We felt great respect
for his character, as we understood il. There
fore, it is not pleasant to regard him as a reck-
less yiliiter: and vet, this is what he appears
to be, when his resent accusation against the
president is fully explained and understood.
Let us consider this case honestly In his late
speech at St. Louis, he spoke as follows:
"When the Santo Domingo scheme was pend
Ing two gentlemen, in somewhat intimate re-
laiions with the white house, came 10 me, each
one separately, soliciting my support 10 the
project, and telling me that could have ail.the
patronage | wanted if would aid the presi-
dent. In January last, having been slandered
by the administration press and tainted on the
floor of the senate concerning the motives Of
my opposition, inquired OF one of those gem
tlemen whether his remarks concerning the
Santo Domingo scheme and the patronage were
authorized by the president. | quote the Ian
guage of his reply, referring to this subject"
This alleged attempt of two persons to buy or
bride him, in behalf of the president, took place
in the first part of January, 1871. 1t appears,
however, that more than a year passed before
he became conscious OF it. Seven or eight
months later, that is to say, in August, 1871, he
delivered a speech in Chicago, in which he
spoke in this way of his relations with the pres
ident;
'My personal relations with the president
were never otherwise than friendly. complain
of nothing, and were it otherwise would GER
tainly lose my selfreSpect if, on account of my
personal feeling, was capable of attacking the
policy of the president"
At this time he had begun to cultivate ''thin
devip between himself and the administration,
because executive patronage could not be used
in support Of his Missouri alliance with the
democrats; but he had not yet discovered the foul
insult he had suffered from an attempt against
his honor, based on the assumption that he
could be bought or bribed His relations with
the president had been "rever otherwise than
friendly" and he had nothing to complain Of"
II he remembered that the president favored the
annexation of Santo Domingo, and desired 10
have senators favor it, he did not remember that
in his case or in any other case improper means
had been used In fact he was quite sure that
nothing had occurred to disturb his relations
with the president or make them otherwise than
friendly"
1t was not until the latter part of January,
1877, that special revolution of his elmer con-
sciousness" brought him to study the matter in
new light. Our readers have not forgotten
what was undertaken against the president, by
certain senators, during the last session Of con-
gress. They will remember how ferociously he
was attacked by Carl Schurz and Others. it was
just at that time, while he was aiding and di-
recting the storm of calumnous abuse, that he
first discovered the possibility Of accusing the
president Of an attempt to purchase him. More
over, circumstances were otherwise favorable
Pleasonton had now become hostile to the pfesi-
dent, having been removed on account of mis-.
behavior in office, and might be willing to write
damaging letter in support Of the accusation.
Therefore, he wrote to Gen. Pleasanton who re-
piled as follows:
New YORK, Jan %, 1872.
DEAR GENERAL: Regarding the conversation
you refer TO in your note, remember it was
with the knowledge and consent and after
had a conversation with him, 1.-THE president
that called upon you and had the conversation
you spoke OF. My impression at this time is
that the president desired your support for his
snch terms with Won that w Sonr snnnopt coniJ
beobtained do not now remember any par
ticular language used at my interview with the
president, and would not hazard doing him an
injustice by attempting 10 quote from memory,
but the impression made upon my mind by the
interview was fixed and distinct.
Truly yours, IN haste,
,f1''o A'N'
""' ~ P.oS
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men who can aim 10 make themselves imnor
tant. by assuming TO talk and act for others
without authority. 1t is very certain that Inc
was not authorized TO do what Mr.. Scburz saws
he attempted TO do.
But the history and management of This ac.
cusatioD. SO far AS Mr.. schnrz himself ia con.
cerned, show a sinister purpose. and Give the
matter an aupearanee of studied malice for
which we are very sorry N hold hin, resnonsi.