Page:Visit of the Hon. Carl Schurz to Boston, March 1881.pdf/77

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VISIT OF MR. SCHURZ TO BOSTON.

ton, we have acknowledged and profited by his teachings. I mean to say that in this New-England corner, here by the side of the old cradle of English liberty; here, surrounded by an enormous majority of English and Irish descendants,—even here the Teutonic element has held its own. We have become, in the true sense of the word, naturalized and nationalized. This naturalization is a peculiar process; it works both ways,—on the new and on the old settlers. We have done here what Germans do wherever they go; whether as humble immigrants, or as conquerors with sword in hand,—we have both learned and taught, given and taken. We have imparted to our new fellow-citizens some of our ways of thinking and living; of our knowledge, habits, and arts. And we have gradually acquired some of their prominent achievements and qualities; and both parties, I think, have been the gainers. But, Mr. President, there exists another bond between our guest and some of his countrymen here, which I cannot omit to mention. We are not only countrymen as Germans,—fellow-citizens of this great Republic,—but we are also fellow-citizens in the republic of German letters represented by the German universities. Cives academici fuimus atque adhuc sumus.

I cannot forego the pleasure of reminding Mr. Schurz of that happy era in his life, and greet him with a hearty vivas! crescas! Thirty odd years ago, when some of us frequented, as happy stu-