The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-09-25
FACTS BY CARL SCHURZ.
Frigid and Unpalatable Truths by
the Great German Orator.
a Telling and Incisive Address Delivered
In Chicago on the Evening of Septem-
Der 1I-Blaine's Record and
Methods Denounced.

cago were addressed by Carl Schurz on
the evening of September II. MIR. W.
I. Baker, Chairman of the meeting, in
Producing Mr.. Schurz, said the indie
pendent Republicans believed that the
intelligence and honesty of the Ameri-
can people had been insulted by the
nomination made by the Republican
Convention in Chicago. They did not
believe that party nomination carried
with it vindicat;on of candidates
character; that to accept inevitably the
offerings of party convention, good or
bad, deprived the voter of his inaliena-
BILE rights. Blaine'S nomination had
compromised the Republican party,
and his election would dishonor the
Nation. The candidate for Vice-Presi-
dent had nothing to show in his long
career but the Black laws of Illinois.
Mr.. Baker then introduced Mr.. Schurz
as a gentleman who had more than
National fame as an orator. The fol-
lowing is brief synopsis of Mr.. Schurz'
remarks:
AS Mr. Schurz rose he was greeted with
long-continued applause. He began his ad-
dress by saying that he had lust received a
letter from a Chicago business man, who pre-
ferred not to have his name given. In the
letter, which Mr.. SchurZ read, the author said
that he had always been a Republican, but
that now he was in doubt us to how he ought
10 vote. He wished Mr.. Schurz would answer
Il few questions which he would specify. Was
il true as Blame and his Republican support
eTS claimed, that the tariff was the main issue
oil the campaign: If not what was the chief
issue! a great deal had been said against
Blaine's integrity, and reference had been
ma lie to some of his pubic acts-tO the Mul-
ligan letters, etc. DID these show actual cor
ruption or not! Blaine's friends claimed that
the Mu.ligan letters were all that could be
urged against his political integrity. Was this
really the case! ought the large Republican
majority just given IN Maine TO be cons dered
a vindication of Blaine from the charges
made against him or not! In view OF the
desire very generally shared by the people
for civil service reform, was it not danger
Gus to put the Government into the hands
of Cleveland and the Democratic party?
These questions Mr. SchurZ said, fairly in
dicated the uncertainty OF mind in which
many Republicans found themselves. He did
not think the tariff could be the main issue,
inasmuch as the principal Western newspaper
supporting Blaine was not high tariff news
paper, but, On the contrary, had for many
years been advocating tariff for revenue
ony. The newspaper could hardly be CON-
sIstent unless it was supporting Blaine as
politician for revenue only. Tbs drive at
the Chicago Tribune was applauded wildly by
the audience. The managers Of the Repub-
lican campaign desired, Mr.. Schurz said. to
make the tariff question The chief one, but
they would hardly succeed, and it would be
for reasons which were quite fully stated
some years ago in the Tribune, which was
now Sucn q warm advocate of Blaine. MIR.
Scnurz read an article from the Tribune
wherein it was stated that the main issue
would be the reform of the civil service
ana the rebuking and wiping out of
corruption, bribery and official misconduct.
The article represented that should Blaine be
made ethe candidate his whole public
career would be raked up and would have to
be defended. This article, Mr. SchurZ said,
was evidently written by prophet and that
prophet ought not to complain because his
prophecy had come to pass The principal
ISSUE would be that thought most important
by the people. The popular mind turned now
on exactly those questions pointed out by the
Tribune few years ago. The great question
now Was that of honesty in the Government.
The question to be considered by the Repub
licanS was not If the Blaine Administration,
should he be elected, would be little more
or a little less honest than some other, but if
his election would not produce on the popu-
lar mind baneful impression-oEe of toler-
auce of lack of official integrity-which would
last for Il generation or more.
Proceeding then to speak of the Mulligau
letters, Mr.. Schurz said that the Republican
press had not been very LIBERAL in expla ming
them. Doubtless many did not know exactly
VIVA. they were or what they signihed The
speaker entered into long but clear and
very interesting account OF the corruption
in 1876 rumOrs were first set adoat that certain
bonds of the Little Rock s. Fort Smith Railroad
had come into Bane's possession, in return
for which he had rendered some service to
those representing its interests, Blaine pub
licly declared in the House of Representatives.
that he held no bonds of that road for which
he did not pay the regular market price, and
that it was entirely proper from him TO own
the bonds of that road, as it was indebted TO
the State of Arkansas and not to the General
Government for its land grant and privileges.
fc rNNll
did not. An investigation was entered into,
and tie Mulligan letters cIIne out in the evil
dence. In one of those letters, dated June
29, 1869. Blaine wrote to Fisher, thanking him
for enabling him to get his stock in the road,
virtually asking fora still further interest and
declaring that he wouldn't prove deadhead
and that he saw various channels i'll which he
could be useful.
: Fisher Mr.. Schurz said, was 4 Boston man
who was associated with MIR. Ca dwell in
building the road. They were probably very
honorable gentlemen. Mr.. Blaine was not a
railroad man--at least not professional one.
He was not u banker, though he did place
bonds oeeasionaL!y: HE was politician. Now
his friends said he was statesman. (Laugh-
:cr). He was Speaker of the House of Rep
rcsentatives. The Speaker had the making
up Of the committees and was in in point of
OF The country. The bills he fav-
ored generally Cpassed. and those
he opposed rarely went through. The
Sneaker of the House of Representatives
ought to keep his character as clean us should
q Chief Justice of the United States Supreme
Court. But when Blaine held that exalted
position he wrote letters to q railroad man,
III mixing him in gushing way for assisting
him TO acquire bonds. declaring his satisfac-
ton over his business relations with him for
eight years back. and expressing desire to
get another share OF Caldwell. adding sgniti-
cantly that be would not be deadhead, and
that lie knew how he could be OF service.
MIR. SchurZ then read the letter IN which
Blaine calls Fishers attention to the manner
in which he saved his bill on the last night OF
the session. Blaine says he sent his page to
General Logan, getting him to raise a point
of order against the Fremont amendments to
the bill which would have killed it. which
point he sustained and thus saved the bill.
He also read another letter of the same date,
wherein Blaine again calls Fisher attention
u the narrow escape the bill had. says he did
Caldwell great service, expresses gratitude
for Fishers great liberalty in the past-which
he said caused him naturally TO expect CON-
tinuation of the same-and referring TO the
necessity of his dealing through him with
Caldwell.
AS Mr.. Schurz finished reading this letter a
voice in the gallery calle1 out:
"Wiil you please read the telegram from
Caldwell to Proctor KnOtt!'
Consider able confusion ensued and many
cries of Put him OTiti were heard.
Mr.. SchurZ said he did nos want the man
put out. He then said that the telegram to
Proctor Knott had no bearing on the matter
HI had been liking of.
Put h m out!' was again heard.
No; lei him stay" said Mr.. SchurZ. HE
may seem Jealous now, but he may be less so
before get through. And you know there
is more JOY IN Heaven over one sinner that
reIenteth-' Here the speakers voice
was drowned with applause and Cheers
Continuing. Mr.. SchurZ said he was wi ling
to answer any honest questions, much more
wiling TO do so than were the Republican
new 81 apeIs. , he telegram had reference 10
the payment of S64 ,0OJ by the Union Pacific
Kai road to Blaine. which was one of the
charges against blaine. And" said Mr..
SchurZ, I've have the telegram sent TO
Mr. Caldwell for tae purpose of provoking
the one from him To PrCcsor Knott from
Europe Isn't that answer enough" The
crowd fairy yelled with del ght al tnis utter
aDce-