Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 2.djvu/465

Rh embodied in our original program and be governed by no other consideration.

There are many good men in the Republican party who entertain the hope that General Grant's second Administration will avoid the blunders and faults of the first. We may not share that hope and have good reasons for our distrust. But if contrary to our expectations General Grant should adopt a reform policy in any direction, we should have the manliness to recognize whatever good there may be in his measures and exert ourselves to develop it.

We want the civil service and the revenue system reformed; we want economy and honest government secured; we want a policy of reconciliation adopted with regard to the South; we want centralization prevented. We do not care who does it, provided it be done. And let us be ready to accord to whoever does, the credit for the doing. In one word, we should make no factious opposition.

At the same time we should advise the people to be watchful, so as not to be deceived by shams and false pretenses. And if General Grant's second Administration makes attempts of that kind, we should boldly denounce them. And if after all the promises which have been made for him, General Grant's second Administration proves merely a continuance of the dangerous tendencies of the first, we should offer an opposition, loyal and candid, but also firm and fearless. The Administration party is now so overgrown in size and strength, it may be so intoxicated with success and power, that the people will soon recognize the necessity of such an opposition as I have described, whatever the state of public opinion may be to-day.

We should maintain our entire independence of the old organized parties. (Necessity of parties without records.) The Republic has entered upon a new period