Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-27
SECRETARY SEIZURE ON THE POLITICAL
SITUATION.


We publish this morning an extended |
report of the speech delivered by Secretary
Carl Schurz at Indianapolis on the 10th
instant. The meager telegraphic synopsis
of this address by no means did 1t
Justice, and we feel assured that the
readers Of the RECORD UNION will be graft
fed to have placed before them one OF the
most thoughtful, lucid and powerful argu-
ments that has enriched political discussion
for long time. Mr.. Schurz is in many re-
spects model political speaker, and this is
one of the very best of his efforts. There
are many orators who can arouse more
ephemeral enthusiasm; who use gaudier
rhetoric and more taking imagery. But
for cool, quiet, sustained force, for temper
ate, clear-cut argument, for convincing
statements and appeals to thoughtful
minds, we know of no speeches which sur
pass his. The methods which he employs,
indeed, are as wholesome and as distinctly
elevating as are those methods of civil
service administration of which he IS
the consistent advocate. His abstinence
from clap-trap and spread-eagleism IS
not only dignifed in itself, but fiat
tering to the intelligence of his au-
diences. He addresses them as American
citizens who are capable of reasoning and
he endeavors to set before them, in the
simplest and clearest language, the facts
and considerations which are worthy OF
being acted upon by them. MIR. Schurz
has no abuse for his opponents, no SANDER
Gus or railing accusations, no fulsome eulo-
gies of his own party. The distinguishing
characteristic of his speech is its candor.
1t is impossible not to feel that he is en-
deavoring to tell the whole truth as it ap-
pears to him, and that his utterances are
not the mere parrot repetitions of party
shibboleths, but the deliberate results of
conviction, acquired through honest study
and prolonged observation. The speech
we print to-day is one of those rare contri.
buttons to campaign literature which will
bear patient and reflective perusal. 1t
may be read again and again without los
ing any of its persuasive force, and it con-
stitutes really admirable resume
of the reasons why it is neither
expedient nor safe to intrust the
control of the Government to the
Democratic party. In what. he says
of the advances which have been in re-
forming the civil service, Mr.. Schurz gives
some valuable information, and at the
same time shows that a great deal more
has really been effected than the public
have generally supposed. As member of
the Cabinet Mr.. Schurz has necessarily
possessed the best facilities for ascertain
ing the truth in this connection, and we do
not think it possible to read his statement
on the question carefully without reaching
the conclusion that it would be most
calamitous experiment to exchange the
present condition of the civil service for
that which the Democratic party would
inevitably substitute. Another point
which Mr.. Schurz brings into prominence
is the necessity which exists for states
manlike training in the President. He
makes it apparent that the head OF the
Administration really bears the brunt of
the work of governing, and that no matter
how able and harmonious Cabinet he
may have, he cannot relieve himself OF
this laborious duty.