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York, and trust that the joint commemoration of the seventieth birthday of the greatest of German Americans may strengthen that bond of solidarity which exists between all those who love their country more than themselves.
FROM THE HONORABLE WILLIAM R. GRACE.
New-York, March 2, 1899.
The Chairman of the Banquet,
To Hon. Carl Schurz.
My Dear Sir: It is with the greatest regret that I
am compelled to absent myself to-night from the testimonial
to my friend, Mr. Schurz. I know of no man
in this community who has labored harder for the
elevation of political standards than has the gentleman
you honor, and I believe that the example he has
set the younger men in politics will live for many years.
I have great pleasure in testifying to the wise counsels of Mr. Schurz, from whom I have drawn many good inspirations, and whom I hold in the highest possible esteem as one of the ablest of our prominent men in public life.
I feel that the country at large is, indeed, fortunate in having had so many years of his services, and though I am prevented from being present, I most heartily join in the good wishes to him on this his seventieth birthday.
Yours truly,
