Because Carl Schurz lived, the Germans in America are stronger and greater. Because he lived, my race is the richer, more confident and encouraged. The Indian race and my race are proud that they had the privilege of claiming as their friend so great a man as Carl Schurz. The great are never ashamed to assist the unfortunate or the unfavored. The usefulness of a great man can no more be limited by race or color than by national boundaries. Because of the friendship of such a soul, every Negro can be the more proud of his race. For myself, I was never more proud of being a Negro than I am today. If I had the privilege of re-entering the world, and the Great Spirit should ask me to choose the color and the race with which to clothe my spirit and my purposes, I would answer, “Make me an American Negro.”
Mr. Schurz never sought the popular side of any question, nor did he seek the popular race. One word embodied his whole philosophy of life—that word was Duty.
Because he lived, we shall live better, more nobly. His spirit is still moving among us, and will continue to strengthen, to guide, and to encourage us now and evermore.
AT the conclusion of the meeting, the Chairman announced the purpose of the Memorial Committee to provide, through popular subscriptions, for an appropriate permanent memorial to Mr. Schurz. From the funds secured the Committee will erect a monument in bronze—either a statue or otherwise, as may be determined when the artistic considerations have been weighed—and will provide, in such degree as the subscriptions permit, for the advancement, in Mr. Schurz's name, of some of the public work to which his life was given.
[41]
