Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 1.djvu/65

Rh in their messages soundly criticized President Pierce and pointed out the limitations of his functions, because he had made slurring remarks about the people of the different States. But enough of politics. . . . 



&emsp; Our defeat is a disgrace to the name of Wisconsin. If I were not personally concerned in it, it would be no less painful to me. It has ruined us morally and will have a very bad effect upon those members of the party, whose convictions are not so strong as to elevate them above the demoralizing influence of a disaster. How, indeed, do we stand? Beaten in consequence of our victories. If every success leads us into the winter-quarters of Capua, we shall always be defeated before being seriously attacked, and we shall never be able to keep the field in two consecutive campaigns. We are now no better than the French army after the battle of Rossbach.

At all events I want to have it understood that the Germans who are with us have done their duty. They have been at the polls almost to a man. But the result will undoubtedly have a bad effect upon them. They feel like young troops, who rush into the combat with all the confidence of enthusiasm, and suddenly become aware that the old guard refuse to fight, when it happens to be dinner-time. It will be difficult to lead them on again.

As for myself, I have got over it, as far as my personal disappointment is concerned. I saw our defeat clearly before me, when I learned the result in the main strongholds of Republicanism. Now, I feel like a man who has