CARL SCHURZ.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The daily Press has made only brief mention of the recent death in New York of the Hon. Carl Schurz. May I ask a portion of your space to dwell upon one or two aspects of his extraordinarily useful career P Some newspapers have pointed out that he was foremost among the German- American citizens of our conglomerate American Republic ; others variously noted that he was a former United States Senator from Missouri, an ex-Cabinet Minister under President Hayes, a Major-General who served with distinction at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and other battles of the Civil War, commanding an ever-ready army corps. Besides this, Mr. Schurz, as he with great modesty preferred to be called, was an author of note, the writer of a Life of Henry Clay which ranks among the best of our American biographical studies. In McClure's Magazine are now appearing some charming reminiscences of his boyhood, and his adventures during the South German Revolu- tion of 1848-49, which will eventually carry the story of his romantic career down to 1861. Yet it is to none of these aspects of his varied life that I would call your attention, but to the unique political position he had occupied ever since 1884, when, as leader of the " Mugwumps" or political independents, he led a " bolt" from the Republican Party which ensured the election to the Presidency of Grover Cleveland. Schurz's great eloquence, his superb analytical powers, and his merciless laying bare of Mr. Blaine's moral delinquencies contributed quite as much to the success of Mr. Cleveland as any other factor except Mr. Blaine's past. From that time down to the present day Mr. Schurz has voiced to a remarkable degree in every campaign the conscience of the American people. In every contest, whether for the Mayoralty of New York City, the Governorship of New York State, or the Presidency, his verdict was eagerly Bought, because even the Republican and Democratic politicians who from time to time abused him when he failed to support them recognised that no ambition, no desire for popular favour, and no party allegiance ever influenced him when reaching a decision. He was truly a high Judge without a bench, whose words, whether in the form of speeches or of editorials in Harper's Weekly, never failed to carry weight from one end of the country to the other. Of late years many of the principles for which he stood have been but slightly adhered to, if at all, by those in power. No Pro- Boer was ever more emphatic in his protest against the war in South Africa than Mr. Schurz in his denunciation of the need- less war with Spain and the unprincipled conquest of the Fili- pinos. For this he met with the taunts and the usual cries of treason ever to be expected by those who decline to subscribe to the doctrine, "My country, right or wrong." They never affected or even annoyed Mr. Schurz. To rise above them was easy for one with his record of sterling patriotism, for his philosophic soul. Best of all, though seventy-seven years of age, and an eyewitness of many a reaction from the Liberalism to which he was so devoted, he never for a moment lost faith in the success of democratic institutions in the land of his choice and affection. His spirit and his courage alike never faltered.—I am, Sir, &e.,
OSWALD GARRISON VILLARD.
[Though many of the English admirers of Mr. Schurz could not agree with his attitude in regard to. the war with Spain, or towards the Filipinos, they recognised in him au essentially noble and patriotic figure.—En. Spectator.]
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