Carl Schurz

“ And it is this treaty, the first attempt to give systematic effect to the proud proclamation of 1890 and to our leadership in this great work of progressive civilization — it is this treaty that was rejected by the Senate of the United States. Considering the preceding events and the attendant circumstances, it is difficult to imagine any reason that would, before the American people and before mankind, justify such a rejection, except the one that the treaty in its practical operation would have worked for international dissension and conflict instead of international peace and good-will. ”

“ And the American people owe it to themselves, for the protection of their good name, to manifest their true sentiments on this subject in the strongest possible manner on every occasion that may present itself. ”

“ But such a motive of action in the face of so momentous a subject appears too inexpressibly mean to be entertained by more than a very few persons of exceptional smallness. We are also told that almost all those who voted against the treaty were furious free-coinage men who hated England as the foremost gold country, and were loath to adopt any arrangement calculated to prevent foreign conflicts, because a war might force this country off the gold basis. ”