Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 1.djvu/408

374 elicited, calculated to throw new light upon the subject. Although I see no reason for believing that things have changed for the better since I left the South, yet such may be the case. Admitting all these possibilities, I would entreat you to take no irretraceable step towards relieving the States lately in rebellion from all National control, until such favorable changes are clearly and unmistakably ascertained.

To that end, and by virtue of the permission you honored me with when sending me out to communicate to you freely and unreservedly my views as to measures of policy proper to be adopted, I would now respectfully suggest that you advise Congress to send one or more “investigating committees” into the Southern States, to inquire for themselves into the actual condition of things, before final action is taken upon the readmission of such States to their representation in the legislative branch of the government, and the withdrawal of the National control from that section of the country.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, &emsp; His Excellency , &emsp;President of the United States. 



&emsp; I am in the midst of your Report, which I find all that I expected; very able, elaborate, complete, full of facts and ideas. Let me suggest that in your speech you present a