Page:Visit of the Hon. Carl Schurz to Boston, March 1881.pdf/53

40 utter contempt for the people,—they constantly appeal to their prejudices, their cupidity, and their passions. The independent and highminded statesman appeals to the reason of the people; he tries with all his might to enlighten, persuade, and convince them; he believes that their history has an intelligible voice; he never flatters them; he teaches—I borrow some noble words spoken years ago by our guest—that the reason, the good sense, the conscience, and the enlightened will of the people are their destiny, and urges them to acknowledge no other.

No nation is long grateful to a public man who urges them, or permits them, if he can help it, to do a mean thing,—such as to break their promises, to clip their coin, or to maltreat their servants. The statesmen who are remembered with honor are they who respect themselves, respect the people, and on every issue urge the people to do what is just and magnanimous. Now, that is what our honored guest has done through all the twenty years of his public life. He has proved himself, during this long period of conspicuous public service, to possess in an eminent degree the intellectual powers and the moral qualities which are needed in an American statesman.