Synthesized answer
The passages do not identify a specific contemporary societal issue that fits Schurz’s description. However, Schurz’s framework defines an “irrepressible conflict” as a direct contradiction between political principles and social institutions—such as “liberty, founded upon the natural rights of man, and slavery, founded upon usurpation” [1]—that “will overshadow all other issues” and become “the only legitimate line of distinction between parties” [2]. Such a conflict is “irrepressible” because it stems from “the logic of things and events,” a “close connection between cause and effect” that cannot be severed [2], and it will “rage with unabated fury” until social and political development is “harmonized with the irrepressible tendency of the age” [4].
To apply this framework to a contemporary issue, one would need to identify a deep-seated inconsistency between a foundational democratic principle (e.g., equality, liberty) and a current social institution or practice that creates an unavoidable political divide. The passages do not provide any modern examples, so no specific contemporary issue can be named from the text. The missing element is any passage linking Schurz’s 1858…
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
ifferent shapes, but when they have once taken possession of the political arena, they will overshadow all other issues. Everything else will be subordinate to them; they will form the only legitimate line of distinction between parties, and all attempts to divert public attention from them, or to palliate them with compromises or secondary issues, will prove futile and abortive. Their final decision, one way or the other, will decide the practical existence of a people. Such a contradiction is that between liberty, founded upon the natural rights of man, and slavery, founded upon usurpation;…
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…
← 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…
eory. It is not an article of my creed—not a matter of principle—but a matter of experience; not a doctrine, but a fact. Thus the all-pervading antagonism stands before us, gigantic in its dimensions, growing every day in the awful proportions of its problems, involving the character of our institutions; involving our relations with the world abroad; involving our peace, our rights and liberties at home; involving our growth and prosperity; involving our moral and political existence as a nation. How short-sighted, how childish, are those who find its origin in artificial agitation! As though…
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"?
- If "the logic of things and events" truly stands "above the power of majorities and governments," what role, if any, does Schurz suggest human effort, debate, or political leaders can play in influencing or averting "irrepressible conflicts"?
- 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"?