The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-24
VERSATILITY OF CARL ScHURz.
He Retires from Business Life 90 Re
sumo Literary Work.
Especial Correspondence

sumo Literary Work.
Especial Correspondence
NEW YORK, July 19.--It Is announced
that Carl SchurZ has retired from active
business life and proposes 70 resume 1T
erary work, having in mind number Of
magazine sketches, perhaps one or two
short biographies and possibly history Of
some phases Of American politics.
Those who know Mr.. Schurz well have
felt for some time that his literary i'm
pulses were becoming too powerful for
him 70 resist them, and these friends have
believed that Mr.. Schurz would spend his
declining years almost entirely in the Ii
brary or upon the platform.
Carl Schurz came 10 New York in March,
1881, Immediately after Mr.. Hayes admin
istration as president ended. Schurz had
never lived in New York, although IL had
long been mis- desire to become a resident OF
this city. When he came TO America early
In the ffties he went west. He lived IN
Wisconsin and there gained high repute as
a stump speaker. People used to wonder
that this man Of German birth and educa-
ton should have gained such superb com
mand Of the English language, 80 that tn
his speech scarcely perceptible hint Of
German accent was revealed. And critics
like Lowell and William Cullen Bryant
and Charles A. Dana used TO express ad-
miration for the diction copious and acou-
rate. which this young German employed
IN his speeches upon the stump. He lived
In several states, at last settling in Mis-
souri, after his return from the army and
the Spanish court. There be became an
editor such service being interrupted by
a term in the senate and in Hayes cab
met.
He said to the writer in the winter Of
1881 that he looked forward with delight
full anticipation 10 taking up the editorial
pen and resuming literary pursuits, and
he seemed 20 have no other idea than that
the rest of his career would be in such d.
rection.
An arrangement had been made by
which he was 70 become virtually the sue
cessor of William Cullen Bryant as the ed
itor of The Evening Post. Mr.. Bryant had
been dead but little while, and the an
nouncement that Carl Schurz was 10 be
seated Mt the desk which Bryant had so
conspicuously occupied was one OF the
sensations Of the time. For some reason
Mr.. Schurz did not remain lGg In that
connection but In the short time that he
was the editor Of this paper the readers Of
il had splendid evidence Of his mastery
power as a writer.
Then II was announced that Mr.. SchuZ
was going TO change his career and in
most striking manner. He was actually
going 20 enter business life. That was
something with which his name had never
been associated. He had been known as
itterateur, a splendid orator both in the
German and English tongues, a diploma
fist and politician holding a high office,
but never as a business man. Now 10 was
said that the directors of one Of the great
transatlantic steamship lines had offered
him the post of resident manager in New
York city IL was a place requiring spe-
cial business qualifications 70 Ill satisfac-
torily. Competition between STEAMSHIP
lines was intense, and these riyalries were
developing new specimens Of marine archi-
lecture which were expected 70 cross the
ocean mt almost railway speed
Mr.. Schurz took hold Of this new work
with extraordinary enthusiasm. He be
came fascinated with the science Of ocean
navigation and with the study Of the ex-
plots Of some Of the new leyiathans Of the
sea. He forsook the haunts Of literary men
and politicians and was found ess0ciatiDg
with business men. he could be seen any
day on Wall street hurrying hither and
thither with all the impetuosity Of q broker
who has important commissions 20 exc
cute. He was fond of taking his friends TO
the pier where the steamers Of his line lay
and showing them over these boats. When
his company sent across the sea a steam
ship which many regarded the most per
feet specimen Of marine architecture, Mr..
Schurz invited great company Of capital
lists and merchants TO go with him and
visit this swift and beautiful monster OF
the deep And when these men saw Schurz
and bis enthusiasm they said "Ah, Schurz
has at last found his place, and he has put
politics and literature behind him, for he
has discovered fascination in business"
About year ago there began to be seen
indications that Mr.. Schurz was firing OF
business life He had taken up the pen
and written what is perhaps the most
perfect essay on Abraham Lincoln which
has yet appeared. 1t commanded the in
slant recognition not only Of the critics
but Of the masses, aud although il origl-
nally appeared as a magazine paper It's
popularity was so great that il was repub-
lished between covers.
Then Mr.. Schurz's friends said that he
was anxious TO write two or three other
papers Of similar nature and was giving
his spare time TO such composition. Then
there followed the announcement that be
had resigned his post of resident manager Of
the steamship company, the resignation
20 go into effect on July l.
Now Schurz is back at his desk. 10 Is
reported that he is writing two or three
campaign speeches which will be deliy-
cred in the fall. II is necessary for him TO
write and commit 10 memory all his adj
dresses. lie cannot speak extempora'
neously. When the campaign is over, 1t Is
understood in literary circles that Mr.
Schurz will begin perhaps the most ambi
tious literary work which he has ever un-
dertaken, for il will be the one by which
be expects 10 be known 20 posterity. There
are only hints OF It's nature yet given out,
but that It will be political and probably
historical is accepted By his friends "a
fact. That IL will be an exquisite piece OF
composition 80 far as diction and style are
concerned Is certain. 4. J. EDWARDS
when Oscar Comes.