Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 1.djvu/311

Rh I wish you could give me briefly an outline of your impressions. My own convictions are now stronger than ever with regard to our duty. The rebel States must not be allowed at once to participate in our Government. This privilege must be postponed. Meanwhile all parties will be prepared for the great changes in their political relations. There must be delay. The President does not see this and every step that he takes is toward perdition.

Never was the way so clear or the opportunity so great. The President might have given peace to the country and made it a mighty example of justice to mankind. Instead of this consummation, he revives the old Slave Oligarchy, envenomed by war, and gives it a new lease of terrible power. This Republic cannot be lost; but the President has done very much to lose it. We must work hard to save it.

St. Louis is a central place. But I long to see you in Congress, where you can act directly by public speech on the country. But less than anybody, do you need Congress. You have already the public ear. I hope you will speak soon. 



&emsp; Your note of the 9th inst., together with the enclosed papers, reached me to-day. My report is ready and is being copied. It is quite voluminous, very full in the discussion of all the important points and has cost me considerable labor. I shall go to Washington to present it to the President probably before the end of the week. I intend to ask his permission to publish it at once so that it may be before the country when Congress meets. I consider it somewhat doubtful whether he will give that permission. If he does not, it will have to be asked for by Congress. But if he does, it will be important to have