Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 3.djvu/304

278 as great a horror as we. I have frequently expressed my opinion on this point, and according to an observation, which I first saw in the Staats-Zeitung not long ago, you agree with me that a liberal, just, Republican government, in view of the moral effect of its identification with the results of the war, is, for the peace and welfare of the South, far preferable to a Democratic government. I have therefore never intended, notwithstanding my separation from the Republican party, to unite myself to the Democratic party.

One would, it is true, have had to reckon a good deal into the bargain, if one had been obliged to regard this as a last resort in bringing to an end the all-destroying government system which we designate by the name of Grantism. This, however, as I have shown, can now be accomplished in a better way. In other respects, I believe that the peculiar elements of which the Democratic party is composed, however good some of them individually may be, are not capable of bringing about an enduring moral reform of the Government.

You have frequently, during some time past, felt it necessary to inform the readers of the Staats-Zeitung that I, owing to my position in this campaign, have lost the confidence of many of my friends. If that were the case, I should, as I have often done, console myself with the thought that an honest effort for the public good never loses for any length of time the confidence of patriotic citizens. While I have been pursuing the path of honest conviction, I have been obliged to accustom myself to bear to-day the blame of those who yesterday praised me, and who will acknowledge me again to-morrow. In the present case I feel myself perfectly sure of the latter.

I will hazard a prophecy as to what the future has in store for us. I should not dare to promise the people an ideal political situation if Mr. Hayes be elected; but as