Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 5.djvu/205

Rh of a much higher character and make your party stronger than it ever was before. You have the most enviable opportunity of this generation, and I pray that it may not be lost. Pardon these warm words of a faithful friend. I have taken the liberty of addressing a letter to you introducing Mr. Francis E. Leupp, the editor of Good Government, the organ of the National Civil Service Reform League. He may be of good use in presenting his conceptions and promoting a just understanding between the Administration and the League. 



We meet to-day, on the hospitable soil of the American Republic, to do honor to Germany in the peaceful contest of nations. We have come from far and near to render homage to the genius of the German nation. When I received the distinguished invitation to express this homage in the name of my compatriots, many obstacles stood in the way of acceptance, but my German blood would give me no peace; so here I am to mingle my voice with yours in a joyful greeting to the old fatherland. How little they know us, our kinsmen over there, if they believe that a selfish pursuit of the dollar has cooled the German-born American's blood and that he no longer loves the old home. To-day our affection shall speak.

We are, indeed, faithful citizens of the great American Republic—as loyal as the truest. We are proud of our citizenship, proud of our commonwealth, for this self-government is our government, its growth is also our growth, its destiny is our destiny. We are proud of the mighty and noble Nation of which we feel ourselves a part, proud of the glorious Stars and Stripes, the symbol of