The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-31
CARL SCHURZ.
The Cause of His Personal and Po-
lfticaI Unpopulnrity.

Tc the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
AS Mr.. Carl Schurz is soon to appear
here in a political speech in support of
Organism, and for the special benefit and
enlightment of our German-American citi-
zens, doubtless many of them would be
interested In reading how an eminent, fair
and impartial historian sizes him up. An
author of that sort says:
THE loss of Mr.. Schurzs popularity-a
popularity that was very marked IN the
earlier period of his careers due III part
to certain unsteady and erratic tendencies,
some of which are in strong contrast with
characteristics that recognized as be-
longing in an especial degree to his race
Through all the centuries since Tacltus
drew his vivid picture of the habits and
manners of the Germans. their attachment
1T might almost be called passion-for
home has been a marked and meritorious
feature of their character. To fatherland
first, and then whatever country fate or
fortune may draw them, their devotion Is
proverbial. This admirable trait seems
altogether wanting in Mr.. SchurZ. When
he left Germany he lived for three years
in other countries of Europe-first Switzer
land, then in France, then in England. In
1852 he came to America. and resided, first
IN pennsylvania, then in Wisconsin, then
in Michigan, then in Missouri, and then in
New York. He has not become rooted and
grounded anywhere, has never established
a home, is not identified with any COM
munlIy, Is not interviewer with the inter-
ests of any locality or of any class, has no
fixed relation TO church or state, TO pro-
fessional. political or social life, has ac-
quired none of that companionship and con-
fidence which unite old neighbors In the
closest ties, and give to friendship its full
est development, its most gracious at
tributes.
THE same unsteadness has entered as
a striking feature in the public career OF
Mr. SchurZ. The party he upheld yesterday
met with his bitterest denunciations the
day before and tomorrow he will support
the political organization of whose meas
ures he Is the most merciless censor to-
day. He boasts himself incapable Of at
tachment to party, and in that respect
radically differs from the great body of his
American felow-citiZens. He cannot even
comprehend that exalted sentiment of hon
orable association in public life which holds
together successive generations of men-a
sentiment which, in the United States,
causes the Democrat to reverence the mem
DRY of Jefferson, and Jackson. and Douglas,
which causes his opponent to glory in the
achievements of Hamilton, and Clay and
Lincoln; sentiment which, in England,
has bound the Wings in a common faith
and common glory, from Walpole to Glad
stone, and their more conservative rivals
in a creed of loyalty whose disciples, from
Bollngbroke to Beaconsfield. include many
of the nobleSt of British patriots.
For these party associations. to whose
influence, under the just restraint of in
telligent patriotism, the wisest legisla ton
Is que, MT ScnurZ mas neither appreciation
nor appreciation. He aspires to the title of
independent, and has described his own
position as that of man sitting on a fence,
with clean boots, watching carefully which
way he may leap to keep out of the mud.
critic might, without carping, suggest
that 1t is the duty of an earnest man to
disregard the bespattering which fidelity to
principle often incurs, and that a beaten
path to a safe place for ones self is not an
inspiring or worthy object of statesman
ship.
Nor is Mr.. Schurz's independence of
party more pronounced or more complete
than his independence of true American
feeling. He has taken no pride in appear
ing under the simple but lofty title of
citizen of the United States. He. stands
rather as a representative German-Ameri-
can. He has made his native nationality a
political resource and has thereby fallen
short of the full honor due to his adopted
nationality. The large body of American
citizens of German birth are intensely at
tached to their new home, and seek the
most complete Identification of themselves
and their descendants with the develop
ment and destiny of the great Republic
This is wise, and is in accordance with
the best traditions and best aspirations of
the Teutonic race. But to Mr.. Schurz the
Republic is not great This country, said
he, in his centennial lecture, is materially
great, but morally small F.
Indianapolis, Aug 90