Carl Schurz and others

“ In such a case, why should you not be Secretary of the Treasury? The Treasury is really the most influential office in the Government, while the position is far less expensive; and I know of no man in America available for that position, who at the head of that Department would so universally and unconditionally command the confidence of the country, and especially of the legitimate business interests, as you would. ”

“ No man of standing and character can take the stump for Greeley without putting his whole future in peril. His election, every man of sobriety and thoughtfulness concedes, would be a National calamity of the first magnitude. ”

“ In a fight with a military mania the leadership of a distinguished soldier is invaluable.
Let me suggest to you, as an argument which may have weight with some, that Imperialism will be the death of Continental Union, which otherwise, as I firmly believe, is within the reach of American statesmanship. No Canadian, however desirous of incorporation with the American Commonwealth, would desire incorporation with a Negro and Malay Empire. ”

“ It is extremely desirable that this fall the Democrats should be beaten everywhere, so as to take from the minds of the Southern people the last delusion as to the possibility of a Democratic triumph. I think the people of the Southern States are ripe for a total revolution of public opinion. ”

“ We shall win this battle easier than any of the others. No State will be allowed a Representative in Congress unless under government founded on the consent of the governed and Equality before the law. ”

“ I do not think any further financial legislation will succeed during this session of Congress; at any rate, it seems almost certain that no further step in the direction of inflation and repudiation can get a two-thirds vote in both branches. There are many who voted for the silver bill and now declare emphatically that they will countenance nothing beyond it. It is very probable that an overwhelming majority of the Republicans in Congress can be rallied upon such a program, and that something like coöperation in financial matters can be established between them and the Administration. ”

“ To bring the South to a better condition I feel like saying that the Nation will aid the people of that section, first, to the means of education, and, secondly, to internal improvements of a National character. ”

“ You have no idea how I am swamped with letters from office-seekers asking me to appeal to Lincoln in their behalf. I intend to have printed a circular answer to send to the unfortunates. The secession movements in the South are still continuing and it is not improbable that we shall have stormy times. The probability is, however, that the inevitable reaction, which even the South will feel before the inauguration of Lincoln, will check the disturbance. These are very momentous times. Every day may bring new decisions—but I long for rest. ”

“ You insist that the time has come.
Your statement against Grant is most powerful. The more I think of him and his doings, the more I feel his incompetency and wrong-heartedness. I tremble for my country, when I contemplate the possibility of this man being fastened upon us for another four years. What can be done to make this impossible? I also tremble when I think of reconstruction, with Liberty and Equality, committed for four years to the tender mercies of the Democrats. Which way is daylight? ”

“ It is the best picture of Lincoln. Every merit belongs to it. Be happy over it. Nothing better will be written about the greatest, most interesting and most wonderful character who has appeared in public affairs in any age. ”

“ But the average Republican is still haunted by the ghost of the Democracy, and in the absence of a frank and courageous movement on the part of such men as Dawes and Garfield, and Governor Hawley, this feeling seems destined to carry General Grant through another campaign. Here in Massachusetts, we can make no demonstration until Sumner speaks his mind. There are plenty ready to follow him—there are few to lead without him. ”

“ It is true that I have reached my seventieth birthday. It is true, too, as Bismarck said to you, that the first seventy years of a man's life are the best. But best of all is it to receive on one's seventieth anniversary a letter like yours. ”

“ I did not comply with your wish, not as if I were disinclined to oblige you, but because I consider it a matter of doubtful propriety to confront the President, at the moment of his arrival as the guest of the citizens of Chicago, in a Chicago newspaper with the criticism pronounced by all sorts of men upon his public conduct. If that criticism is favorable, it will be apt to appear as a mere compliment for the occasion. If it is unfavorable, it ought not to be thrust at the President where he appears merely as a guest. ”

“ Even should this rule allow any exceptions, which is not the case, such exceptions would be quite impossible just now, as those who have supported McKinley, not as his party associates, but as independents, should consider it a point of honor to ask no favors of the Administration either for themselves or their friends. I must therefore strictly adhere to my rule not to meddle with appointments to office—unless the Administration were to ask my opinion in some special case—which is hardly probable. ”

“ The present administration has been managing the finances of the State in such an unscrupulous way, and altogether their political principles are so entirely opposed to mine, especially in regard to National politics, that I declined their request and refused to support Barstow. By the way, I have frequently been asked if I would not take part in politics as soon as possible, and I am assured on all sides that I could be elected to the State assembly as soon as I should consent to be a candidate. ”

“ In reply I can only repeat . . . that I was nominated for mayor without my knowledge, that I was not asked to give any pledge of any kind whatever, by Tammany Hall, or the County Democracy, or by anybody else, and that I have made no other pledge and shall make no other as to the administration of the office, except that I will discharge its duties to the best of my ability, without fear or favor and in the interests of the whole people and not for the benefit of any political party. ”

“ We have known one another now for well-nigh fifty years and I can say in all soberness, without the slightest exaggeration, that I have never known a truer gentleman, a trustier friend, and an unofficial statesman and public teacher who wore his high eminence with a deeper feeling of responsibility and greater modesty, than you. ”

“ He may be ever so good a man and make ever so efficient a Secretary of the Navy or Postmaster-General, still it remains true that the only distinction he ever achieved in public life was won as a contributor and collector of campaign funds, and that, but for this achievement, he would never have been thought of as a man entitled to high office in the Government. ”

“ The real truth is, as I believe upon a wide variety of evidence, that the President did not find himself able to hold up to his professions when he has been set upon by the whole body of Democratic Senators and Members of Congress and the rest of the Democratic party in the country—nine-tenths of whom believe, as you doubtless know, that offices are the stakes for which political parties play and are the spoils of victory. ”

“ The Government has imposed upon the taxpayers an enormous financial burden by an uncommonly generous pension system. I do not feel that I can, consistently with my well settled opinions, seek to increase that burden for my own benefit beyond the understood conditions under which I entered the service. ”

“ I distrust that kind of British friendship which would hurry us into an imperialistic policy and thus make us dependent upon British aid, obliging us in turn to give American aid in promotion of British policies; and which by a most unscrupulous manipulation of the news service seeks to stir up ill feeling between this country and other nations. ”

“ I must confess that I have complete confidence in Lincoln's honesty as well as in his courage; but it might be possible for the present Congress to tie his hands with resolutions of a compromise. I wish I were a member of the Senate, if for only three days; I would sing them a new song. It seems probable that the general confusion in Washington will prevent the passing of compromise resolutions ”

“ Politicians who have long lived by the use of official patronage will not surrender it without fierce and desperate resistance. But the intelligent and patriotic people of the country are in sympathy with the President's declared purpose. There is nothing that wins the popular heart so quickly as high courage, and the fiercer the conflict the more will the people rally to the President's support. It is idle to look out for middle ground. The Administration must either conquer the machine politicians or surrender to them. ”

“ You may be sure that I should be most glad to hear your views at length, in this time of anxiety. I wish I might ask you to write to me as to one whose desire is to merit the good opinion of the men who have trusted him, but one who knows little of what awaits him in his new sphere of duty. ”

“ I am entirely out of politics and propose to devote my time and energies exclusively to the practice of law; but I can never be indifferent or neutral on a matter affecting so directly the good faith of the Nation and the individual and commercial honesty of the people. ”

“ During the last two weeks before the election all the voters that were still in doubt went to McKinley with a rush. Here in New York there was a sort of hysterical frenzy. I suppose the same condition of atmosphere existed in other places. You have no idea what pressure was brought upon me even by our personal friends who “could not understand it” that under the circumstances I would not “come out for McKinley before it was too late.”
Of course we shall not give up the fight. But it seems to me that just now those anti-imperialists who voted for McKinley under protest have the floor. ”

“ How much trouble you would save yourself by just picking out the fittest man for each place and then going ahead to make a good business Administration, thus winning the approval and support of public opinion in spite of grumblers. ”

“ Much of the credit for the victory gained at the late election is due to you for the very able and convincing manner in which you presented to the people the questions at issue. You deserve and have the thanks of the people of this country for your effective services in opposition to the ruinous fallacy of inflation and irredeemable paper money. ”

“ There has been a great deal to wound you in the malign assaults of those who cannot appreciate the true intent of your action; and, naturally, bitter resentment from those whose selfish and dangerous plans you have so boldly exposed and overthrown, so that a tribute of appreciative and grateful acknowledgment from a man who ardently loves this country and aspires to serve it worthily may not unpleasantly be mingled in your cup. ”

“ I believe it is a fact that Western Massachusetts is broader, more liberal, more individual and independent in thought, than the larger population and greater apparent activity of the eastern part of the State. ”

“ Learn to understand and develop the practical workings of society. But, while doing so, never lose sight of the ideals of liberty, right and justice, which must inspire and guide our national life in all its phases, to give it high purpose and true dignity. Be practical men, but never be afraid to be called idealists. ”

“ Your letter of the 16th inst., presenting to me in the name of the “signers” an open reply to my Brooklyn speech, has been forwarded to me here. I am certainly far from underestimating the merit of that “reply” as a literary effort; but you must pardon me for saying that, with the best possible intention, I cannot find anything in it that in the remotest sense could stand as an answer to, or a refutation of, the arguments submitted by me to my hearers at Brooklyn. ”

“ If one wishes to have diplomatic influence, one must participate in the masquerade as gracefully as possible. I must wear a uniform and my wife must wear a court train. And to think of spending so much money, only to look as absurdly as others! But as many a wise man has already said, “Man is an adaptable creature,” even to the extent of seeming foolish to himself. ”

“ Would it not be a good thing to have it republished in a Massachusetts paper and to state in a note that the foreigner who made it would be disfranchised by your amendment if he lived in your progressive and intelligent Commonwealth? The fact is that I was naturalized and got my final papers of citizenship not quite two years ago. It would indeed be a telling illustration of the bearing of the amendment. ”

“ Do you notice how Labor is speaking out, and how the Farmers are taking it up? If you could get a plebiscite to-day your Government would be drowned deeper than plummet ever sounded.
Do not lose faith in the Republic or in Triumphant Democracy. It is sound to the core. ”

“ My father passed from life as peacefully and painlessly as ever is man's lot. Ever since I saw the signs of his mental decay I have looked upon his death as a welcome release, but there is a pang in the long parting that nature inflicts, and I feel it sensibly. ”

“ I am not such a dunce as to put out advertising to the lowest bidder, but I have regulated the advertising business in my Department on business principles in such a way that what cost over $40,000 two years ago and over $25,000 last year, will cost something less than $3000 this year. I should think this pretty good for a beginner.
Hayes makes haste slowly but surely. You will soon wake up and see things done. Hayes is a general like old Thomas; wants to have his wagons together when he marches, but loses no battles. You need not be anxious. ”

“ You know what a Department is and how difficult it is to bring up arrears of work. Mine is an especially lively shop. You will remember that I have the Indians on my hands—and so I have, while I am here, to bid good-bye to many of the pleasures of this world. ”