Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 2.djvu/273

Rh controlled in its official capacity by the office-mongers who go through thick and thin with the Administration and who find in the Administration their only rallying point and strength. Under their leadership the Republican party, which after all contains the best popular elements is rapidly going to perdition. In order to save the vitality of the Republican party that leadership must be broken up, and to accomplish this it is necessary that the party at large should be convinced of the impracticability of Grant's renomination. As soon as that is done, the cohesive force of the controlling office-monger element is gone. They will scatter and lose their power in the party to a great extent. Then the liberal and vigorous element of the Republican party, who alone can save its future usefulness, will have a chance to assume control of the organization and shape its future policy. We have already made considerable headway in that direction, and I expect to find the Chandlers and Conklings and Camerons, and still more those whom they lead, in a demoralized condition next winter after they have been exposed to the breeze of public opinion, in the country.

In this respect the removal of Sumner from the chairmanship of the Foreign Relations Committee was an important affair, and—I hope you will pardon the suggestion—I was somewhat sorry to see the Nation throw cold water upon it. The repeated interference of the President in the affairs of the Legislature had become very offensive, and in the Sumner case it appeared in so cynical a shape and the submissive spirit of the Administration men so abject, that a strong demonstration was necessary. Besides, Sumner's knowledge and experience in matters connected with our foreign relations are almost indispensable to the Committee. He also shows a great deal more tact and reliable judgment in that branch than you would suppose from outside observation.