The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-03-23
CARL SCHURZ.
BOSTON ADMIRERS TENDER HIN A
COMPLIMENTARY DINNER,
At Which He Frees His Mud NJ
sOne Length ON the subIect OF
HliH Administration, and Con-
lraslS the Conditions OF the
Old aud New worlds.

BosroN, March ga reception to OK.
Secretary Schurz took place at the Hote
Vendome at 5 o'clock this afternoon, Col
ChaS, R. Goldman presided, and speeches
were made by James Freeman Clark,
President Elliot, OF Harvard, Mr., sChurz
and others. In responding TO the address
OF welcome, Mr.. SChurz, alter expressing Y
thanks for the honor OF the invitation said
"This 10 not the first time have received
great kindness at the hands Of the
citizens Of Massachusetts, twenty-five
years ago, q young and obscure new.
conner in this Republic, as some OF
my friends here present may remember,
l was, so TO speak, introduced by public
men OF Massachusetts 10 the American
people as one Of the advocates Of the anti
slavery cause, Later, when Charles Sum-
ner had departed from the living, the city
OF Boston deemed me worthy to express. her
appreciation OF the patriotic career and
her griet at the loss OF one OF her most
illustrious sons, Still later ] was
honored with q call to aid In
a public debate In one Of your State con.
tests when the cause oi honest money and
public faith seemed to be at stake, and
more recently In 3 controversy concern
ing the problem referred to by the honor.
able Chairman, my name has been dis.
Cussed In Massachusetts, with q warmth OF
interest which could not have been greater
were | native citizen Of your common.
wealth and had | lived in 1t and
been Of 1t oil the days OF my life.
II Is not surprising therefore that should
not feel like stranger among you.
Friend and foe here, have treated me like
one Of them, aud am perfectly at home
with both. The measure OF praise you
have been kind enough to award me for
my administration oi the Interior Depart.
ment is, | say this without any aGeCtation
Of modesty, perhaps too generous. know
better than any body else that my admin.
istTation has not been perfect.
The Interior Department Is not
only the most difficult, but 1t
is also the most dangerous department oil
tho Government. 1t is Cumbrous, over.
grown accumulation OF heterogeneous
subjects, all Of importance. The interests
In It's care offer such temptations
10 those who strive 10 overreach the Gov.
ernment by dishonest means, and the
branches Of public service under iIs con.
troll are scattered over an extent OF
ground extremely difficult to watch.
1t requires, therefore, long and intense
application on the part Of its head TO
understand its different branches and all
places Of danger and to master It's
machinery. think l am not exaVgerat
ing when say that the Interior Depart
ment devolves as much labor and re-
sponsibllity on It's head personally as any
other two departments impose upon their
chiefs, Joined. Under such circumstances,
knowing the department, as | do, |
shall always be disposed to make
ample allowance for the extraordinary
difficulties IN passing judgment upon the
success OF the Secretary oi the Interior,
and bU very careful In charging upon him
tho direct personal responsibility for the
occasional accidents, mistakes and fall
ures. | am willing, for my adminis,ra-
tion Of that department land a great
part Of that credit belongs 10
the able aud faithful Bubordinates who
aid mel aCertain measures Of improve
ment upon the condition Of things as l
found them, and should be the last man
to say my successor may not find occasion
for improvement on the condition Of
things | leave to him. He Is q man Of
high character, just impulses and great
practical experience and sagacity, and one
OF the best wishes l could offer him IL
that In the execution Of his honest pur.
poses he may find as kind public Judge.
ment as you are giving me.
| venture 10 say no inhabitant Of this
country can for o moment survey the
condition Of things 10 the world abroad
without congratulating himself with pride
and gratitude on being an American
citizen and on living In this great and
happy republic. While on the other side
OF the Atlantic we see the Irish problem
having assumed an almost revolutionary
character, and far of war rendered obvious
not only by occasional disasters
but still more 80 by a conscious
injustice Of lie cause, perplexing old Eug.
land; while we Gee the nations of Europe
groaning under terrible burdens,and arm.
ed and preCarious peace disquieted by
social restlessness, political factions, ,eCon0.
mic disaster; while we nee the assassins.
tion Of the Emperor spreading general
CONSERVATION and an uncertain threaten.
ing future hanging over all Eu.
rope like gloomy thunder cloud
while we observe all these signs The only
question which Immediately troubles tis ID
whether we shall or shall not have all
extra session Of Congress 10 enable the
government to fund our national bonds at
a rate Of interest less than 4 per cent We
Justify cnCe more the old saying ,"lIappy
the country that has no history" We make
but little history al the present moment.
What We do make is comfortable and
good. Indeed, never since the close OF
the civil war has our condition, economic,
social and political, been as generally sat.
isiaCtofy as now. OF our material pr d..
perity need not speak II ls felt ID every
sphere Of society, In every branch of III.
dustfy and commerce. IL iB the envy Oi
tho world. The Anitnosities Of our civil
war have In great measure subSded.
The prosperity and activity Ia the South
have accelerated the healing Of The old
sofes and the people Of the two sections
are more aud more drawn together again
by the consciousness Of common fights,
common duties, common aims and com
mon destiny, ID short, by tho Inspiration
Of q common patriotism. Our National
Government has, | think, succeeded 10
proving once more the fslsity Of The old
assertion that corruption Ia an inevitable
conCOmltant Of Democratic instititut1.
tions. Whatever mistakes may have been
made by the late administration, aud
frankly admit they we're not few, Il Ia gen
orally conceded that II has demonstrated
the possibility oi an honest, business like
and morally respectable Government In
this republic, and The new administration
l have no doubt, means TO do no less, but
will endeavor 10 do more.