Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 3.djvu/265

Rh lican institutions preserved. If, to use an expression employed by Governor Allen of Ohio with regard to specie payments, honest government can be laughed down as a “barren ideality,” then we may tremble for the future of the Republic. It seems to me the papers referred to are not quite prudent in scoffing at the “idealists,” for, unless I am greatly mistaken, “idealists” will be in great demand as soon as the Presidential campaign is opened, as they were last summer in Ohio and many times before.

As your letter embodies suggestions which have appeared in some journals not unfriendly, I deem it proper to give this reply to the Public. I shall also send you an invitation to our conference, and hope you will accept. 



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I should have replied to your letter before this, had I not been overburdened with correspondence. I am glad to learn that the Bristow movement in Michigan is vigorously progressing, and I hope it will bring forth a strong delegation to the Cincinnati Convention. Let no effort be spared. You ask me whether Mr. Elaine would be a desirable candidate. Let me ask you whether a man who for years has wielded great power and influence and has never used it to uncover and put down corruption, and never ad vanced any measure to reform the abuses of the Govern ment, can be an acceptable candidate when it is the very first duty of the American people to reestablish the moral character of their Government, and when this must be done against the opposition which comes from the &quot;ma chine&quot;? On this question there can scarcely be two opinions among sincere and earnest friends of reform. 