Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 5.djvu/283

Rh so good tempered, so conciliatory that other nations would instinctively turn to it as their mutual friend and the natural adjuster of their differences, thus making it the greatest preserver of the world's peace.

This is not a mere idealistic fancy. It is the natural position of this great Republic among the nations of the earth. It is its noblest vocation, and it will be a glorious day for the United States when the good sense and the self-respect of the American people see in this their “manifest destiny.” It all rests upon peace. Is not this peace with honor? There has, of late, been much loose speech about “Americanism.” Is not this good Americanism? It is surely to-day the Americanism of those who love their country most. And I fervently hope that it will be and ever remain the Americanism of our children and children's children. 

 &emsp;

I agree with all you say, and I have expressed the same sentiments in a series of articles in Harper's Weekly in the course of the last six months, as well as in private conversation with sound-money Republicans and Democrats. There ought to have been an independent movement long ago, and it is perhaps not too late for it yet. But to have the desired effect, it should be headed, not by the old set of political independents, but by a union of sound-money business men, Republicans and Democrats, going before the country with the declaration that they will not support any candidate for the Presidency who is not known to be absolutely sound on the money question, and that if neither party presents such a candidate, they will strike out for themselves. I have preached this to all with whom I had any conversation on the subject.