Page:Visit of the Hon. Carl Schurz to Boston, March 1881.pdf/94

Rh ton, who were conscious that no other man had brought the Germans of America such honor as he, the speaker, in conclusion, turned to the audience and invited them to join him in giving Mr. Schurz a heartfelt welcome as their German countryman, their American fellow-citizen, and their highly honored guest.  An inspiring scene followed,—the hall resounding with the pleasant sound of joyful shouts, which did not subside until Mr. Schurz had stood speechless for some time, silently bowing his acknowledgments. He then spoke as follows:—

,—I thank you more than I can express for this welcome. I may truthfully say that I have never had a more hearty reception, nor kinder words than those of your honored spokesman. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Public life, it is thought, has many roses; but there are no roses without thorns. Public life has, perhaps, more of the latter than the ordinary proportion. There are but few occasions in it from which he who devotes himself to it derives real satisfaction. I have often said to friends who congratulate me upon the official position I held, that there are two great moments of pleasure in connection with such a place. One is when the new minister ascends the steps of the department building, looking forward to great opportunities to accomplish