Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 4.djvu/507

Rh ciples upon which all appointments should be made. I say that he thinks less of these; I am far from saying that he does not regard them at all. He has certainly an idea of educating the leaders of his party and he believes that encouraging progress has been made in this direction.

I am of opinion that President Cleveland has shown much courage in his power of resistance, and rather less in his power of advance, but my conclusion is, that in spite of appearances and inconsistencies, he is a man of a good and honest purpose. I think he ought to be supported cordially, that we should not irritate or discourage him, but that nevertheless we should kindly and clearly point out what we think should be done.

As I was about to leave him he said, “And now what are you going to say to your friends?” I replied, as well as I can recall it: “I am going to tell them that you say that you never promised to reappoint capable Republicans when their terms expired, that you claim that progress has been made, that you expect to make still more and that you are considering what the next step shall be.” To this he made no objection.

And then I said to him, almost the last thing, “I don't want you to think hardly of Carl Schurz, who is really your friend.” “Yes,” said he with perfect good nature, “but where am I to find three or four hours to answer his letter?”

Our whole intercourse in this interview was frank and cordial. The President talked a good deal. I don't think his tone was despondent, although some of the things I have described him as saying may seem to indicate it. I can only say that I left him, as I always do, with an increased regard for him. He has his limitations, of course, like the rest of us. He certainly has not been trained to be and perhaps (though I am not so sure of that) cannot be a logical and constructive statesman, but he is a faithful public servant, honest and manly and simple and brave, and growing every day in experience and in comprehension of the situation. I am for sustaining him, and in the interests of good government I would not be too rigid with him.

The American people, too, have their limitations and peculiarities, one of which is that they do a great many things