Visit of the Hon. Carl Schurz to Boston/Reception by German Citizens/Address by the Hon. Carl Schurz
An inspiring scene followed,—the hall resounding with the pleasant sound of joyful shouts, which did not subside until Mr. Schurz had stood speechless for some time, silently bowing his acknowledgments. He then spoke as follows:—
ADDRESS BY THE HON. CARL SCHURZ
Ladies and Gentlemen,—I thank you more than I can express for this welcome. I may truthfully say that I have never had a more hearty reception, nor kinder words than those of your honored spokesman. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Public life, it is thought, has many roses; but there are no roses without thorns. Public life has, perhaps, more of the latter than the ordinary proportion. There are but few occasions in it from which he who devotes himself to it derives real satisfaction. I have often said to friends who congratulate me upon the official position I held, that there are two great moments of pleasure in connection with such a place. One is when the new minister ascends the steps of the department building, looking forward to great opportunities to accomplish something for the public good, but still unaware of the greatness of the difficulties to be met and the responsibilities to be borne. The other is, when after the close of his official career he descends the same steps, looking back upon something accomplished. I have known both these moments; and speak from experience, when I say that the last is the best. And if there is anything truly satisfactory and delightful at the close of such a period of service, it is when, stepping back into private life, he hears such voices of public approval as I have heard to-night. For this I thank you sincerely.
When the Germans landed on the American shores, we came as a foreign element. A foreign element we should not remain. It is not for us to live a one-sided life in the American Republic. What we are and should be here is American citizens,—American citizens in the best sense of the term, with our whole hearts and our best efforts. We are not to form a separate class, and consider our own interests as different and distinct from those of the great people of whom we form a part. It is our duty to identify ourselves with the common national life, and to do all we can to promote the greatness and prosperity of the country that has adopted us. It is our duty to bring the best of German character into unity with the best of American life. It is in this way that we can render to our Fatherland the most efficient service. I have never forgotten in my public career, that in a certain way the honor of the German name was laid in my hands; and it has been my constant effort not to bring discredit upon it.
I have been told by a member of your committee, that my coming to Boston and meeting you in this reception has had one remarkable effect,—to bring about German unity in Boston. I am glad of it; and you have honored me by thus coming together in so hearty a way. The speaker who has just addressed me, in your name, alluded with kind words to several things which I have done or endeavored to accomplish in public life. I may confess, as other public men have to confess, that what I have done has not always come up to my own intentions and hopes; but I have endeavored to represent the best tendencies of the German mind and heart. The German citizens of America may feet proud of the fact, that in some of the greatest emergencies of our history they stood firmly united as the best of Americans. At the time when the Republic was in danger, and the drum-call summoned to battle, the German element, as one man, was true to the Republic. And later, when the cause of honest money and of the public faith was at stake, the Germans stood solidly under the banner of sound doctrines, of the national honor, and honest government. So I have a right to say that when I spoke and worked in this cause, I uttered only what was in the heart of all good German-American citizens.
Our government must, in a certain sense, be a government of political parties; but I have always held to the doctrine, that it is the duty of a good citizen to be first a patriot before he is a Republican or a Democrat; that parties are organized only to serve certain great public ends; that when they serve these ends honestly and well, they have a right to the support of the citizen; but when they cease to give such service, they are no longer entitled to call upon the people to follow their lead. In other words, there are certain things which should be beyond the control of party,—the cause of right, of justice, the welfare of the country. There is one thing which no good patriot should ever yield to party discipline,—his own conscience.
So I may say that in my own political life I have never called on my German fellow-citizens to follow me, simply because I went this way or that. I have never said to them, “Follow this party, simply because it is the party which I follow.” But the duty I have sought to impress upon them was this: Let every citizen examine, in his own conscience, what is best for the common good. After careful examination, if he finds clearly that the reasons I give for my own faith are good, I shall be glad; let him act accordingly. But in every case let him be man enough to follow the dictates of his conscience. I repeat, it is through political parties, in a certain sense, that this government must be carried on; but when political party organizations know that there is a large force of citizens who will follow conscientious convictions, and not blindly obey the command of party drill-masters, these parties will learn to respect. and follow conscience themselves.
And now, fellow-countrymen, after these few words, allow me once more to give you my heartfelt thanks for this cordial welcome; and to say to you that few hours in my public life have been as happy and enjoyable as this in which I have been so heartily received by the Germans of Boston.