Page:Speeches of Carl Schurz (IA speechesofcarlsc00schu).pdf/61



The speaker had been invited to Boston to participate in a public dinner on the anniversary of Jefferson's birth-day. Several prominent gentlemen of Massachusetts arranged for him a public reception in Faneuil Hall, which took place a few days after the Jefferson dinner, Hon. Henry Wilson, United States Senator, presiding. The speech was made in response to the introduction by Senator Wilson. The line of argument pursued in the speech was not without a special object. The Legislature of Massachusetts had adopted an amendment to the constitution of the State, by which foreigners should not be permitted to vote until two years after they had become citizens of the United States. This amendment, generally known as the “two-years'-amendment,” was soon to be voted upon by the people. It was one of the measures brought forth by the so-called “Know-Nothing” or “American” movement, which for a few years had been sweeping all over the United States. It was against this spirit of proscription on account of birth, creed, or opinion, styling itself “Americanism,” that the speaker directed his arguments.



A few days ago I stood on the cupola of your Statehouse, and overlooked for the first time this venerable city and the country surrounding it. Then the streets, and hills, and waters around me began to teem with the life of historical recollections, recollections dear to all mankind, and a feeling of pride arose in my heart, and I said to myself, I, too, am an American citizen. [Applause.] There was Bunker Hill, there Charlestown, Lexington,