Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 2.djvu/392

372 used by just that class of politicians they thought they were fighting against. Whether right or wrong, that was the impression, and just there is the difficulty in enlisting the best men and their best efforts in the support of the Cincinnati ticket. If such apprehensions can be allayed, it will help very materially. From the large number of letters I have received, I enclose you one coming from an American; you will pardon me for withholding the signature as I have no right to give it. Most of the letters I have of this kind are from Germans whose support would be very valuable.

If you would in your letter in reply to the notification of your nomination say something to disarm such apprehensions, in strong and unequivocal language, for instance, pledge yourself to appoint, at once after coming into power, a civil service commission to determine removals and appointments, the latter to [be] made strictly in accordance with the rule laid down in the civil service resolution, the 6th in the Cincinnati platform, it would undoubtedly have a good effect. You are certainly right in saying that there is no hurry about your letter. Its importance cannot be overestimated. All I care about is that this movement should have the greatest possible success, not only in the campaign, but in its ultimate results, and you will not misinterpret me when I say that although I abstained in the Convention from exerting any influence in favor of this or that candidate, I feel some personal responsibility in the matter. 



&emsp; I have received your letter of yesterday. I return to you the amended letter of notification, together with an official copy of the platform. 