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end and made possible the quick reconciliation which took place when the decision was reached. [Applause.]
Among the prominent figures on the scene stands, or rather works, the man in whose honor we are here. [Applause.] Throughout the period of agitation, paralleled in our annals only by that from 1766 to 1776, his weapons are those of the reason. Born on the banks of the Rhine, he is for that very circumstance a better American than many born on the banks of the Hudson, because he has enjoyed a long perspective of history, and sees events in their just proportion. To him the coming conflict is to determine the fate not only of his dear adopted country but of humanity.
His double citizenship makes him thrice armed, and, sweeping aside all accidents and incidents, he goes straight to the true issue. Gifted with youth, with education, and with insight he cares little, or not at all, for the epithets hurled upon him by bitter foes, and fights right on with his merciless logic and cutting speech. He is, indeed, a troublesome fellow. Quite possibly men said as much eighteen centuries earlier of a certain angel: you will recall that before even the pool of Bethesda could do its healing work, the waters were profoundly troubled by a great reformer sent from God.
But Mr. Schurz's role was far more important than that of overthrowing evil, great as that function is, for he was already a constructive statesman. He saw, as but very few others saw clearly, that there could be no war for the Union without a war against slavery. Humane he was and philanthropic, a lover of his kind even when their skins were black, and for this reason he
