Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 2.djvu/386

366 fall flat. Something might, perhaps, by hard labor be effected, but I apprehend nothing, like what we suddenly lost on Friday last, can be regained if the movement remains in its present shape—for suspicion and disgust have taken the place of the grand spirit which prevailed down to the last day of the Convention. Those of the Germans who do not retire entirely from the field, will probably flock to the Reunion and Reform Associations whose convention at Cincinnati stood ready to endorse our nominations; but on Friday, as soon as the results of our proceedings were known, resolved to appoint a committee with instructions to call a National Convention for the purpose of making nominations of their own.

What the consequences will be, you can easily calculate. I see that Governor Palmer promises you 75,000 Republican votes in Illinois. Do not permit yourself to be deceived by such wild talk. In no State is the reaction among the Germans, who form a very considerable element of the Republican party, more decided than in Illinois. In the other Northwestern States the condition of things is no better. You may ask me whether I cannot rally these forces again; I might, if the character of the movement were now what it was a week ago. But not only the moral power of the cause is seriously, if not fatally, impaired; but also I should find my most intimate personal friends who for sixteen years have worked with me, not only not on my side, but on the other, seeing in me, as some German papers express it, a victim instead of a victor.

I will not go into a detailed statement of my views as to the prospects, which in a very great measure depend on the action of the Democratic Convention, but not wholly so. I speak only of what I know; as to the rest you undoubtedly receive from other quarters information which will appear to you more valuable than my opinions.