considerable expense. I have no desire to incur that expense during these hard times. So I am contenting myself with the spurs I won in the campaign, where we were defeated because of the carelessness of our party.
So far as material conditions are concerned, I must admit that the money crisis weighs heavily upon us. The most disagreeable feature of the present state of affairs is the dreadful scarcity of money. It is impossible to convert anything into cash; consequently there is shortage everywhere. In the East, money is more plentiful and confidence is increasing and I hope that we shall soon feel the effect here. If this continues, the carpenter who wants to buy a leg of lamb of the butcher will soon pay for it with a table and take a chair as change.
TO GOTTFRIED KINKEL
Madison, Feb. 15, 1858.[1]
My efforts and successes in the Frémont campaign of 1856 won more recognition than I had expected. On September 2d of last year, the Republican convention nominated me almost unanimously for lieutenant-governor, and since that time I have steadily advanced. Circumstances were very favorable. During the campaign, I made extensive trips throughout the State and my speeches were decidedly successful, especially those in English.
On the whole, I believe that my popularity has come too fast to be enduring. To the Americans, I was a unique type. A German who, as they declare, speaks English better than they do, and also has the advantage over their native politicians of possessing a passable knowledge of European conditions, naturally attracts their attention.
- ↑ Translated from the German.
