Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-27
AN APPEAL
To The Reason, not the Passions
of the American People.
Speech of Secretary Schurz
at Indianapolis.
The Two Great Parties Contrasted
and Their Records Compared.
Mastery Grafton and Argument, Clearly
and Pointedly Defining the Claims Of
the Republican Party aud EXPOS
ing the Inconsistencies of
the Democracy.


Below we present the masterly argu-
ment of Secretary Carl Schurz in advocacy
of the election of James A. Garfield. 1t
was delivered at indianapolis one week
ago to-day. His reception in that city
amounted to an ovation, and the audience
which listened to his speech was pro-
nounced one of the most orderly and
largest, and by all odds the best audience
ever gathered in that city:
FellowC Citizens: l shall appeal not to ysur pas.
sions, but to your reason ana without any resort to
the arifces of oratory, give you plain, practical
talk The language Of party warfare is apt to fly
to violent exaggeratons for the purpose OF produc
ing strong impressions; the language OF reason and
common sense will abstain from them. Let me say
at The outset, therefore, that do not agree with
those who speak OF che present moment the
greatest crisis in the history Of American affairs.
The questions We have to dispose Of are not those
OF immediate life or DEATH but the bearing they
have upon the future welfare Of the nation, and
upon those interests which most nearly affect US, is
Important enough to make us consider well what we
are doing to call for our best Judgment, and
strenuous effort to put that Judgm: mt into eXeeu-
tion
WHAT DO WE WANT?
In the first place let US make it clear in our own
minds what want. The answer ia, in general
term, that we want good government; that if we
have it, we must endeavor TO Ike p it, and If we
have not, must endeayor TO get it, What is good
government? We may answer again, in general
terms, that it is a government which well under
stands the public business, and, understanding it,
transacs it within the limi1s Of its constitutional
power intelligently honestly, and justly. The
ond question we have to answer ourselves is how
far the government have comes up to these
requisites how far the principles upon which it acts,
the methods it employs, the aims it pursies, and
the degree Of efficiency it Develops answer the pub
lie need, and how far in this respect ought to
preserve what we have or look for other things we
have not
THE RECORD.
Asa member Of the present Administration now
on the point of yielding its power into the hands of
new set OF public Sc wants, may be permitted to
appeal to the candid Judgment Of the American
people TO the manner in which the public busI-
nest has been ucted during the last three years
While it might be natural that bearing part of the
responsibility myself, should be inclined to take
favorable view Of its performances, still feel that
my ways Of thinking are independent enough not to
betray me into mere partisa eulogy. think am
not exaggerating when say that the fair minded
their hearts to-day tnat, the whole, the public
business has been conducted by
THIS ADMINISTRATION,
As far as it was in its control, honestly, intelli-
gently, and successfully. l should be the last man
to claim perfection for it, for one Of those who
had an opportunity to watch affairs in detail, am
well aware OF errors committed and OF failures suf
fered in this and that respect No administration of
government has been or ever will be free from
them. IL has maintained the public faith and
raised the credit Of the United States to point
never reached before 1t has with consistent energy
followed policy relieving the country OF the evils
of an irrational and dangerous money system, and
greatly promoted the prosperity OF the people by
h.a ,InI
enormous of the national Indebtedness
at lower interest, and thus saved many
millions q year to the taxpayer. 1t has
faithfully executed the laws with conscientious OBJ
servance Of sound constitute nal principles. BY its
fidelity these constitutional principles it has
moved many obstacles which stood in the way of a
friendly understanding between the different sec
tions Of the country and different classes of the
people. 1t has. under trying circumstances, when
the public peace was disturbed by riot and violence
the part OF numerous class of citizens, greatly
aided the restoration Of order and security by
calm and moderate employment of the limited
power at its command, without in any case resorting
to doubtful stretch Of authority 1t has
REFORMED MANY ABUSES
In the public service fused higher sense of duty
into its ifferent branches raised its moral tone, in
creased its efficiency, punished dishonesty, and kept
the service unsullied by the scandals arising from
lax notions Of official integrity. In saying this
am not unmindful OF the fact that the reform of the
public service has not overcome in so high degree
as was intended and as was desirable the obstacles
opposing it in the shape OF nvettrate political habit
and antagonistc interest. The service IS now show
ing A greater degree of efficiency, higher moral
SD rit and a stronger sense Of duty than has pre-
vailed perhaps at any time since the period when
the administra i've machinery was demoralized by
the introduction of the spoils system. 1t has in
many of its branches introduced rules and methods
which have borne excellent frnt and are capable OF
the most benefcient development if further carried
on by coming administrations in sympathy with
them. Ever, body sees reason % 70 iook hopeIn,y
1s1 nE,;,s .,'r r.n,s;ns az good as IL has been
"'''''''
THE PARTIES AND CANDIDATES.
We have TO d al with two parties and their can.
dida,es The Republican party with James A. Car
field al its head, and the Democrat party, with
General H,ncock I do not deem it necessary to
d;scnss the nossibity o the victory of the Green.
back artv and their nominees for the simple reason
tba tber chances of success are not perceptibe to
the Ordinary eve. and that their organization NAV
he ,ooted mon as a mere tender to the Democracy
7 wish 10 state the question mildly for | am not
nartisan emo cb-indeed my orthodoxy in that
resneet has now and then been questloned-to
deal in wholesale and indiscrminate denuncia-
tion of our opponen.s. do mt mean to incite
your preiud,ces and inhame your passions, hut
TO discuss facts and to draw from them legiti-
mate conclusions do not want the party to
which belong to depend for success upon the fail
ngs of its opponents, and am therefore not in.
cIined to exaggera' the latter. In this respect
therefore sine, RELY dec re that wish well to the
Denn,eratlc plrty.t / participated in IN
attemnt which attempt miscarried to move up to
the nrooressiye requirements of the times The
contendino poitical parties in Republic should be
such in noint of mental and moral constitution and
epability that the Government may be iotrusted to
elior M sipc. the dounf,,I and d;:s
VIZ :, ,ha s,sve nou,er "a co,,aet noI;,;pI
,noa, tn, S Sr;cb the Democratic rrt, ora
49, 80, ,.ors a,, derived 10 ,ooras ;,s ior-;c
~. ,;,,cai stiIl and statesmanshin that Marty has
'' P" y ,
BEEN FLoCSDERING ABOUT,
ON. az logical connection with the questions of the
aay never knowing the time of day always look
ins for something TO turn up and when something
,:id turn up spoiiing it amey lagging In the rear
81 the events and requirements of the day always
behind denouncing as impossible things that were
| already accomplished facts with strange inca
r,,n-a m,l,ny i,self The recinient and rail,.;ng
Int sor ali danoerons and ohsir,ctive tendanc;as
snJ .i.r,en,s and Tins con,m;tt;po hIunder af,er
hh,ndor which az the moment of their birth 4, mi
s.mIr .lor;aad =, no areat st,otea ~ nai;r frar
~ sssS;o novsment in 1ssI Joa'n ~ ,ha o,.
e,;o' ~ cararn, Hncn, j.; $50 " ''''
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.or,,s ,nd N snhst,ute for he l;vn" ouesrons 81
~ ,rasa,t ;ss,es a,hch liz hnb;nd ny ht ;f NO
ont IN ascertain the nrevanc tanJenc;es and the
rasnt consh;l;tv Tor rod ,avernr,at ~ ,b nan,
prt; nart,, IN accor;,ncs With .bs s;;t nd 20.
oemants ~ the Tresent dav II 10 moi ,,nfo;r 70 rs
;o,v some Str;ting xneI;ences az ilinst rot;ons
IoLioS, bac, ,o +he resr Isea ,ha fo,,r, .,aor NJ
Il y