Synthesized answer
Based solely on the provided passages, Carl Schurz suggests that human effort, debate, and political leaders have a very limited role in influencing or averting "irrepressible conflicts." The "logic of things and events" is described as an "overruling fatality" that "cannot be turned and twisted by artificial arrangements and delusive settlements" and "will go its own way with the steady step of fate" [2]. This logic forces a choice between two social organizations, and once a wrong path is taken, leaders "will have no power to stem the current" [2].
However, the passages do indicate a specific role for human action. The only way to settle the "irrepressible conflict" is "by neutralizing the obstacles which have thrown themselves in the path" [4]. Furthermore, individuals can "understand" revolutionary developments, "shape their course accordingly," "aid in their execution," and "fix their results in the form of permanent laws and institutions" [5]. The key is that individuals cannot determine the character of these developments by their own conceptions; they must work in harmony with the "irrepressible tendency of the age" [4] rather than trying to resist it [5]. The passages do…
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
superhuman efforts against certain impending dangers; but an overruling fatality seems to frustrate all their exertions. This overruling fatality, which stands above the power of majorities and governments, I will call by a simple term— the logic of things and events . It is the close connection between cause and effect, between principle and fact—a connection which cannot be severed, and the clear knowledge of which is the only safe foundation for political wisdom. I have been taught by history that a democratic system of government, although it may overcome local and temporary…
e is a thing which stands above the command of the most ingenious of politicians: it is the logic of things and events . It cannot be turned and twisted by artificial arrangements and delusive settlements; it will go its own way with the steady step of fate. It will force you, with uncompromising severity, to choose between two social organizations, one of which is founded upon privilege, and the other upon the doctrine of equal rights. Force instead of right, privilege instead of equality, expediency instead of principle, being once the leading motives of your policy, you will have no power…
← Preface Speeches of Carl Schurz by Carl Schurz I. The Irrepressible Conflict II. Political Morals → 474148 Speeches of Carl Schurz — I. The Irrepressible Conflict Carl Schurz SPEECHES OF CARL SCHURZ. I. THE IRREPRESSIBLE CONFLICT. SPEECH DELIVERED AT MECHANICS' HALL, CHICAGO, ON THE 28 TH OF SEPTEMBER, 1858. This speech was delivered in the memorable Senatorial campaign in Illinois, Mr. Lincoln being the candidate of the Republican, and Mr. Douglas the candidate of the Democratic party. The topics discussed may be presumed to be familiar to every American reader who is somewhat conversant…
cal test; and, therefore, the success of the Southern programme will never bring about a final decision of the conflict. Suppose we were beaten in the present electoral contest, would that decide the conflict of interests forever? No! Thanks to the nobler impulses of human nature, our consciences would not let us sleep; thanks to the good sense of the people, their progressive interests would not suffer them to give up the struggle. The power of resistance, the elasticity of free society, cannot be exhausted by one, cannot be annihilated by a hundred defeats. Why? Because it receives new…
sue, divested of all its incidental questions, is this: A nation ruled by the slave power, or a nation governing itself. For the first, they are ready to imperil victory and peace and Union; for the second, we are ready to destroy slavery forever. [Loud applause.] The second line of policy before mentioned has been consistently acted upon by the party holding the reins of Government during the struggle. On some occasion President Lincoln uttered the following words: “I am not controlling events, but events control me.” These words, applicable of course only to the leading measures of policy,…
More questions about this book
- Schurz introduces "the logic of things and events" as an "overruling fatality" that determines the destiny of nations. How would you explain this concept to a modern audience, distinct from simple cause-and-effect, and what implications does it have for the perceived power of democratic government?
- Schurz warns that a democratic system "cannot bear a direct contradiction between political principles on the one and social institutions on the other side." Based on the historical context of his 1858 speech, what specific contradiction do you believe he was alluding to, and how did it demonstrate his concept of "the logic of things and events"?
- Schurz claims that deep-seated inconsistencies "will overshadow all other issues" and become the "only legitimate line of distinction between parties." Can you identify a contemporary societal issue that appears to fit this description, and what makes it similarly "irrepressible" according to Schurz's framework?
- Schurz posits that "clear knowledge" of the connection between "cause and effect, between principle and fact" is the "only safe foundation for political wisdom." What specific methods or types of analysis would a political leader need to employ to gain this "clear knowledge" and apply it effectively, thereby avoiding an "overruling fatality"?