Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 1.djvu/233

Rh leave of absence for a limited time, the service would hardly suffer. Mr. Perry would as chargé d'affaires steadily follow the course I have adopted. He is a man of great diplomatic ability, prudent and very well versed in Spanish affairs. This is the principal reason why I modified my original intention and presented to the Government the alternative of giving me a leave of absence or accepting my resignation. Another reason is that a resignation pure and simple for political grounds might be looked upon as a demonstration against the Administration, and I do not deem it desirable that I should be placed into an antagonistic position as long as it can be avoided.

While under these circumstances it would seem the wiser course for the Government to give me a leave of absence, I shall also receive my letter of recall with gratitude. I shall never cling to the advantages of an official position, which might hinder me in following the dictates of my conscience. If you feel like doing anything for me, urge the Government to enable me at once to return, by immediately granting either leave or recall. By this you will greatly oblige me.

Please regard this letter as a confidential one as far as the exposition of my views on home affairs and my intention is concerned. As I shall have to explain these matters to the Government immediately after my arrival in the United States you will readily understand why I should not like to be anticipated. In case my resignation be accepted my enemies may possibly try to create the impression that I was forced to offer it by the difficulties of my diplomatic position or something of that kind. My defense in that respect, if any should be necessary, I must entrust to my friends.

Permit me a word to you as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations. If it can possibly be done,