Carl Schurz was the son of a Prussian officer who became a U.S. citizen in 1828. He was educated at the College of William and Mary, from which he graduated in 1822, as well as at the University of Göttingen and at the University of Berlin, where he received an A.M. degree in 1827
His first major appointment was as secretary to Secretary of State John C. Calhoun, from 1829 to 1834, and his second as minister plenipotentiary to Belgium from 1834 to 1839. He then served for a year as secretary to the commissioner of the General Land Office before being appointed minister to Austria-Hungary from 1841 to 1845.
In addition, he served as minister to Spain from 1842 to 1844 and as minister extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Mexico from 1845 to 1850. In his two years as secretary of war, Schurz fought vigorously against President Polk’s plan for a Mexican expedition under Gen. William B.
Franklin. This began a long period of antagonism with President Polk that ended only with Schurz's death in 1906.
If you want to be free, there is but one way; it is to guarantee an equally full measure of liberty to all your neighbors. There is no other.Carl Schurz
From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests you cannot subvert your neighbor's rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own.Carl Schurz
