Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 3.djvu/279

Rh behavior. Whatever the party press may say of the present state of public feeling, I know from the very best sources of information that there is among a very numerous class of citizens, naturally desiring to coöperate with the Republican party, so strong a distrust not only of the present Administration, but also of the influences which for years have controlled party politics on the Republican side, that only the strongest personal assurances of reform will keep them from looking for a change through a temporary success of the opposite party. There is no doubt your opponents will be shrewd enough to take advantage of this condition of things; and I believe your language in expressing your own true sentiments cannot possibly be too strong, direct and emphatic.

I pray you, do not consider me presumptuous in urging this matter so persistently upon your attention; for the public interest as well as your own appears to me so vitally concerned in it, that I should feel as if I failed in my duty did I remain silent. So I hope you will pardon me.

In pursuance of a resolution adopted by the independent conference of May last, I have called the executive committee appointed by that body to meet on the 30th inst., and your letter of acceptance will, I trust, furnish the text for an address to our constituents. 



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I am very glad to get your letters of the 21st and 23d. I will give your suggestions my best consideration. I do not expect to write my acceptance for ten days or two weeks. In the meantime I wish to give you with entire frankness how the matter lies in my mind now, hoping to hear from you again