Carl Schurz

Carl Schurz (March 2, 1829 – May 14, 1906) was a German revolutionist, American statesman and reformer, and Union Army general in the American Civil War. His wife Margaretta Schurz was instrumental in establishing the kindergarten system in the U.S.

Retirement and death

Upon his retirement in 1881 Schurz moved to New York City, and from the summer of 1881 to the autumn of 1883 was editor-in-chief and one of the proprietors of the New York Evening Post. In 1884 he was a leader in the Independent (or Mugwump) movement against the nomination of James Blaine for president and for the election of Grover Cleveland. From 1888 to 1892 he was general American representative of the Hamburg American Steamship Company. In 1892 he succeeded George William Curtis as president of the National Civil Service Reform League and held this office until 1901. He succeeded Curtis as editorial writer for Harper's Weekly in 1892–1898, actively supporting electoral reform. In 1895 he spoke for the Fusion anti-Tammany ticket in New York City. He opposed William Jennings Bryan for president in 1896, speaking for sound money and not under the auspices of the Republican party; he supported Bryan four years later because of anti-imperialism beliefs, which also led to his membership in the American Anti-Imperialist League. In 1904 he supported Alton B. Parker, the Democratic candidate.

Related Topics:
1881 - New York City - 1883 - New York Evening Post - 1884 - Mugwump - James Blaine - Grover Cleveland - 1888 - 1892 - In 1892 - George William Curtis - 1901 - Harper's Weekly - 1898 - 1895 - Tammany - William Jennings Bryan - President in 1896 - Four years later - Imperialism - American Anti-Imperialist League - In 1904 - Alton B. Parker

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Throughout his life, Schurz never hesitated to deliver his opinion, and was known by politicians as elevated as Presidents Lincoln and Johnson for his frequent, vitriolic letters. Because of his strongly worded speeches and editorials and his deeply held convictions, he was a hero to his supporters, but widely disliked by his critics. He had a strong connection to the immigrant community. He told a group of German immigrants at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 how we expected them to fit into American society:

Related Topics:
Chicago World's Fair - 1893

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: I have always been in favor of a healthy Americanization, but that does not mean a complete disavow all of our German heritage. Our character should take the on the best of that which is American, and combine it with the best of that which is German. By doing this, we can best serve the American people and their civilization.

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Schurz published a number of writings, including a volume of speeches (1865), a biography of Henry Clay (1887), a essays on Abraham Lincoln (1899) and Charles Sumner (posthumous, 1951), and his Reminiscences (posthumous, 1907–09). In his later years he wrote his memoirs.

Related Topics:
1865 - Henry Clay - 1887 - 1899 - Charles Sumner - 1951 - 1907 - 09

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Schurz died in New York City and is buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Tarrytown, New York.

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