Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 5.djvu/554

530 question as by far the most important before the American people. All other questions are, in my opinion, subordinated to it. There is some hope that the calamity may still be averted.

The argument you suggest is certainly a very weighty one. But it ought to come from your side of the line, not from ours. Can you not find an opportunity for launching it in a manner to attract general attention in the United States? All you write about such matters is read with the greatest respect by our people. You can speak to them on the subject of Continental Union with that authority which high character and universally recognized sincerity commands. I hope you will. 



&emsp; Permit me to submit to your consideration the following suggestion:

The annexation to the United States of tropical countries with their mixed population being the gravest question that has ever been before the American people since the foundation of our Constitutional Government, and it being uncertain whether a majority of the American people really desire that this annexation be consummated, the people have a clear right to ask that an opportunity for manifesting their will be given them. Such an opportunity would be afforded if Congress passed an act submitting to a popular vote, unembarrassed by any other issues, the question whether the citizens of the United States favor such annexation of tropical countries.

I know, such a plebiscite would be a new thing. But the question before us in its present magnitude is no less a new thing. And it seems to me that an act providing for