The Writings of Carl Schurz/To Grover Cleveland, February 24th, 1885
TO GROVER CLEVELAND
The more I think of it the more does it seem to me that your inaugural is a matter of uncommon importance—that it should rise as far as possible above the perfunctory commonplace of such occasions and speak with the voice of leadership to the political forces behind you, to give them impulse and direction. My impression now is even stronger than it was at the time I wrote the notice I left with you, that the principal questions before the country should be mentioned in your first official utterance, succinctly but at the same time with a certain statesmanlike comprehensiveness. The moment of your accession to power is an epoch in the history of this Republic, and much depends upon the first effect produced by it upon the public mind. All of which is respectfully submitted.
I have been thinking over the names you mentioned to me yesterday in connection with the Cabinet, and it has occurred to me that while the three Southern men among them are all United States Senators of renown and experience, the Northern men named are all new men, nationally speaking, that is, men without experience and established standing in National affairs. This circumstance may, perhaps, not be looked upon as one of vital consequence but it might be worth considering in making your final arrangements.