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every great soldier, of every great statesman. I challenge the history of our country for a more striking illustration of it than the work which Carl Schurz has, in the Civil Service reform field, done for the sound foundation of our political life. The proposed reform is, in reality, deep and organic, dealing with profound conditions. But it bears the disadvantage that it must proceed by technical steps, dealing with the machinery of examinations and promotions and appointments, schedules, lists, regulations and the like. Nothing but genius could vivify all this as our guest and those who have followed him have done.
And may I last speak of that question of the time of life which the very occasion of our gathering to-night presents. It is a fine inspiration, and it comes none too frequently, to observe courage, high-mindedness, energy and skill in political activity, united in earlier years with the belief that human struggle and force of will can make the world better. Our land has none too much of such inspiration; but it is rare indeed to find these faculties, with their creative and executing optimism undiminished in those years of life in which, though they be riper, energy is apt to decline. But with the energy, alas, too often declines the courageous belief that anything further can be done to make better the human conditions of our land. Most men in public life—yes, of a thousand or ten thousand men, all, save one—decline the stress of a difficult or long coming or unpopular cause—however vital to their country—after the sixtieth birthday has been reached. Indeed, a certain submissiveness to public wrong is then considered a sort of placid crown of honor. Nor
