Carl Schurz Collection 1869-1893

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred citation:

Carl Schurz Collection, Accession 8376, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Summary

Creator:
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Carl Schurz Collection, Accession 8376, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Background

Scope and content:

[Title page and introductory note to essay.]

[Might become a war correspondent in the imminent war between Prussiaand France; feels that his familiarity and connections with Germanywould make him an able correspondent; believes he will be allowed to accompany Prussian army during the campaign; willing to write exclusively for Harper'sif given the most acceptable terms; has sent similar letters to other prominent papers.]

[Discusses Curtis' article, "Civil Service Reform"; gives his opinion on the subject; differs with his opinion on the reelection of President Ulysses S. Grant. ]

[Angry that he allowed a cartoon and two column commentary disparaging him as an ultramontane and a mercenary adventurer to be published in Harper's Weekly; feels the article is meant to stir up hostility against him because of his foreign birth; defends his loyalty to America. ]

[Called at Harper'sto discuss public affairs; did not find him; admits to being a bit lame; hopes to hear from him.]

[Thanks him for kind letter of sympathy (on death of wife Margarete Schurz) and for his friendship during this difficult time.]

[Informs him that Bishop Whipple is held in high esteem in Washington; believes that there are no plans in the Department of the Interiorto remove Major Stowe.]

[Acknowledges kind note and a pamphlet; informs him that the President [ Rutherford B. Hayes] is well aware of the impact of his actions.]

[Has received his letter recommending Mr. Fiske for the Pension Agencyin New York; has had 2 interviews with him; agrees with President [Rutherford B.] Hayesthat Pension Agents should have an honorable Army record; informs him that the President would like to discuss ideas with him on next visit to Washington. ]

[Disagrees with him on the Indian question; believes it is unlikely that Congresswill transfer control of the Indian Service; doubts [Ulysses S.] Grantwill be re-elected; comments on opposition to Grant in Republican ranks; mentions that the "scratchers" of New Yorkoppose Grant and that he cannot win the state without their aid.]

[Wants to know if he accepted an article (by another writer) that he forwarded; asks if he wrote Harper's Weeklyarticle on Fitz-John Porter. ]

[Acknowledges receipt of his letter; believes it contains a thought-provoking proposition; claims that commitments preclude a meeting on short notice; needs time to reply to issues; discusses a letter by Moses Williamsto [Philander] Demingasking Schurz to give his opinion on methods to strengthen President [Grover] Clevelandagainst the anti-reform element in his own party.]

[Recalls their first meeting at Putnam's; would welcome seeing him again and discuss the Dr. Kinkel library.]

[Thanks for the kind judgment on his book and for discussing it in his editorial columns; seeks advice on suggested political and military history of the Civil War; questions the feasibility of writing such a work on evidentiary grounds and on the brief time since the end of the war; expresses interest in doing the project; discusses a project to write the history of the new German Empire; would rather not live abroad to do research; describes his work on his recollections.]

[Considers a suggestion to write a civil rather than military history of the Civil War; does not mind that this project will absorb all his time; believes that the appointment of Potts endangers the position of [John] Jayand Richmond; comments on his health, especially his ability to walk with only one stick.]

[Agrees with the critical opinions in his political article; disappointed that President [Grover] Clevelandis unwilling to investigate the Higgins-Thomas-Raisin case; feels that the president's actions have alienated many of his former supporters; encloses article from a reform paper that dismayed him.]

[Disappointed at the news that Evening Postwill not employ Spielhagen, who was in his Burschenschaft (fraternity) in Bonn; recounts his efforts to get him connected with the New YorkStaatszeitung; will also write to a German paper in the West on his behalf.]

[Hopes to discuss politics with him before sailing for Germany; intends to stay until September unless the Republicans nominate [James G.] Blaineagain; would return in time for the campaign; has heard bad things about the Treasury Departmentin the matter of removals; thanks him for kind words in Harper's Weeklyabout his own speech on the dead Kaiser.]

[Thanks him for copies of his "great Gettysburg oration" and his Washington Monument speech; has written Mr. Wanamaker for an explanation of his financial transactions during the presidential campaign; asks him to intervene because the letter has not been answered.]

[Praises his address which was critical of President [Grover] Cleveland's administration; calls Cleveland an old-fashioned Indianapolitician; praises Bishop Potter's "glorious" sermon; disappointed that President Cleveland appointed his own brother to political office.]

[Doubts whether [William D.] Foulke's plan will be profitable; suggests investigating the matter with him.]

[Invites him to dinner; informs him that the guests will include Mr. and Mrs. [Grover] Clevelandand Dr. Sievelzing, head of German delegation to maritime conference in Washington. ]

[Encloses a letter to Secretary Bayard.]

[Invites him to his birthday dinner on March 1.]

[Believes that he should draft a letter to the president [Benjamin Harrison]instead of Schurz because of his abilities, knowledge, and position. Informs him about his many commitments, including an article on [Abraham] Lincolndue for the Atlantic Monthlyin early January.]

[Reemphasizes that if a letter from Republican civil service reformers is to have any effect on the president [Benjamin Harrison], Curtis should write it.]

[Agrees with him and Rogers on "what is now to be done and what is not to be done." Says that Rogers' letter has undermined his opinion of the president; believes the president is afraid of politicians and does not trust reformers. Will return Roosevelt's letter to Rogers.]

[Declines an invitation to the Thomas dinner because of prior commitment.]

[Appreciates his kind words about his Lincoln paper; praises his essay on Holmes in Harper's Weekly; expects to be in Buffaloat the meeting of the National League. ]

[Sends him a draft which, in his opinion, is "stupid." Asks him to look at it critically and do with it whatever is necessary. Mentions letter from Storey reporting on plans for mass meeting in favor of [Grover] Clevelandin Boston; informs him that Cleveland said that he is not withdrawing from the contest.]

[Discussed the "Circular" with Storey; suggests change of certain words and phrases; is confident that Curtis will give the document its final shape.]

[Invites him to dinner party where he will meet Joseph Jefferson, the actor.]

[with printed note from George W. Childsrequesting information for the National Almanac. ]

Acquisition information:
Deposit, 1966 Sep 10
Processing information:

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Physical location:
Physical description:
33 items