The Writings of Carl Schurz/To Henry Armitt Brown, April 16th, 1875
TO HENRY ARMITT BROWN[1]
I have just arrived here and found your kind letter of the 10th. I hasten to say a few words in reply. The purpose is to assemble a number of men whose standing in the country is such that their utterances will find attention and respect. It is not important that there should be a great many, but that those present should be, in the truest sense of the term, respectable and respected. The genus “politician,” in the common acceptation of the term, should therefore be excluded.
I trust you will not fail to come yourself; and if you can bring half a dozen men with you, such as you would like to see your name associated with, it will fully answer the purpose. Of course, the more the better, but quality is of far greater consequence than quantity.
I have visited several States since I saw you, and my experience has been such as to raise my hope that we may be able to accomplish something useful and honorable to the country if we start right.
P. S. I have in the meantime read your oration on the Congress of 1774 and can only say that I am delighted with it.
- ↑ A Philadelphia orator and reformer.