Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 2.djvu/326

306 are controlled by small, paltry considerations? Truly, if ever, the time is now when the narrow-minded partisan should make room for the independent man and the patriot.

My friends, I shall now take leave of you. Some opinions I have expressed may have run against those which many of you entertain, but they come from a mind earnestly seeking for the truth, and from a heart full of the anxious desire to see healed the wounds struck by past conflicts, and the whole American people once more united in the proud consciousness of a common nationality. I entreat you give what I have said a candid consideration. The whole measure of my ambition will be filled if I succeed in doing something to remove the questions so deeply involving the peace and happiness of the American people from the feverish atmosphere of partisan passion and selfishness, and to bring on that condition of things which will dissolve stubborn prejudices, melt away old resentments and open our minds and hearts wide to a just understanding of our duties—a new era of good feeling. 



&emsp; Dear Sir: We, formerly Confederate soldiers, wish to express to you our high regard for yourself, and our profound and warm admiration of the unselfish, unpartisan, cultured and patriotic address delivered by you in this city yesterday. We admire the manly, independent spirit which refuses obedience to party when in conflict with one's convictions of duty and right. We pledge you that we have a faith, which no words can express, in the sublime significance, mission and destiny of the American Republic; that we honor and revere the National flag as the assured herald of that day when all