Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 2.djvu/134

114 American continent that we are not willing to take in as a part of our territory. That is his argument. It only requires to be stated to show how untenable it is.

And now, when the Senator comes to me and says that he is convinced that Germany intends to do any such thing, I may say that against such a faith there is no weapon, no argument.

I have simply put my opinion against yours; that is all.

I will reiterate my own, then; that I am profoundly convinced that there is nothing in it; and I believe if the Senator would approach any German statesman and express that opinion to him, he would be received with a very benevolent smile.

Will my friend allow me to make a remark there?

Certainly.

As I took the liberty of addressing the inquiry to the Senator from Indiana as to his reasons for supposing that Germany or some European Power would take possession of a portion of this island if we declined it, and he declined to give his reasons, but fell back upon his convictions, I ask the same privilege to express my conviction that there is nothing in it. Germany is too wise, too civilized, too glorious, to think of doing what the Senator from Indiana imagines. There is nothing in it.

I will say that as a general thing the convictions of the Senator are better than his reasoning, especially on the subject of San Domingo.

The Senator says that my convictions are better than my reasoning. I am glad that he approves my convictions.

Mr. President, I will now take leave of the bugbear that cannot stand on its own feet. I think I may repeat what I said before, that there can hardly be