Page:Carl Schurz- 1900-04-01 Potter Correspondence.pdf/3

 1860 unless we destroy ourselves by bad management.

How are you getting along personally? I should be very glad to hear from you at your earliest convenience.

Milwaukee, Aug. 12, 1859—Hon. J. F. Potter, My Dear Friend: I hoped to see you here some time last week, but being disappointed in that respect, I have to write you a few lines. The note of the Atlas which I had endorsed, was extended for sixty days, and the matter settled for the present in that way. I have given them a further endorsement so as to keep them running until the campaign commences. The party will then have to take care of the concern, if necessary.

Did you hear from Doolittle? I understand he is not inclined to do anything in regard to gubernatorial contest. This is a disappointment to me. I thought that his advice joined to yours would carry a great weight with it in the convention. I shall follow your advice not to withdraw at present. The general impression is that my chances are improving as the convention approaches, but I am, of course, the last man to judge. I feel that my being a candidate before the convention is a dangerous experiment, but there is no backing out at present. I must rely on the energetic support of my friends. I hope you will be a delegate to the convention. Do so by all means. Did you write to Washburne and will he be there?

I think the best way to manage things would be to have a kind of informal consultation, a committee of the whole before the vote is taken, and to discuss matters there. I saw Randall yesterday and had a talk with him and several of his friends. He thinks he can get the nomination, but he seems to be a little troubled about the election. There is one thing that puzzles them very much. Their opinion is, that a ticket can hardly be successful without there being a German on it; now if he should be nominated they would have to find some new man (for I have declared