Mr. Schurz was a great favorite with our Independents and
Mugwumps, many of whom had, like him, left the Republican
Party in 1872, and some of whom had not returned to their
old allegiance. Mr. Schurz was invited to a public dinner
in Boston, at which President Eliot, Dr. James Freeman Clarke
and several eminent men of their way of thinking, took part.
They did not discuss the merits of the principal question
much, but the burden of their speech was eulogy of Mr. Schurz
as a great and good man, and severe condemnation of the character
of the miserable politicians who were supposed to be his critics
and opponents. There was a proposition for a call for a public
meeting on the other side to condemn the Secretary, and stand
by the Indians. In this call several very able and influential
men joined, including Governor Long. I advised very strongly
against holding the meeting. I was quite sure that, on the
one hand, neither Mr. Schurz nor the Administration was likely
to treat the Indians cruelly or unjustly again; and on the
other hand I was equally sure of the absolute sincerity and
humanity of the people who had found fault with his action.
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