Page:Schurz Birthday 50.JPG

 more difficult and important questions than the Senate during Mr. term. The new amendments to the Constitution were to be enforced, that the rights of loyal men, black and white, might be secured against fraud and violence, for these were the days of the Ku Klux Klan. On the other hand, the restoration of the Union was to be completed, that the intelligence of the South might be restored to its just influence, and the rights of citizens no longer be denied by a military commander, for this was the period when soldiers of the United States invaded the Legislature of Louisiana.

Questions of foreign policy, far reaching in their effect and delicate in character, were presented, for it was then that President sought to force the annexation of San Domingo upon his unwilling countrymen; and when, in disregard of the Constitution, he used the naval power of the United States against a friendly state to keep in a power a government that was willing to sell its people and their country.

This was the period when inflation so nearly triumphed and financial heresies of all kinds were accepted in Congress. It was then that the abuses of patronage became so great as to create the public opinion which later wrung from reluctant politicians some measure of civil service reform. It was then that a Senator who had clearly bought his seat was denied admission to the Senate. It was the time of the French Arms Investigation, of the Whiskey Ring, of the Safe Burglary Conspiracy, and many another scandal which called for investigation and exposure.

Upon all the questions which arose during his term