The Writings of Carl Schurz/From C. G. Memminger, April 26th, 1871
FROM C. G. MEMMINGER[1]
I write a line to thank you for the frank expression of your views contained in your letter of 21 inst. It verifies the judgment I had formed of your real desire to promote the good of our common country. As I am seeking the same object, you will pardon my trespassing on your time. I really think you can suggest something that may advance our common object.
I think you are right in saying that if we had originally adopted a different course as to the negroes, we would have escaped present difficulties. But if you will consider a moment, you will see that it was as impossible, as for us to have emancipated them before the war. The then President [Johnson] held up before us the hope of a “white man's government,” and this led us to set aside negro suffrage. We might probably even have procured what was then called “impartial suffrage,” but it was natural that we should yield to our old prejudices.
The practical question remains, what shall we do now? To await the education of the negro is like waiting for the millennium. Unless some more speedy remedy is proposed, the country here will be ruined. Nothing but hope of improvement can restrain our people. You can scarcely believe the utter vileness of our rulers, or the suffering of our people. In this city, one-half the rent of a well situated house is consumed by taxes and insurance; and as to fine houses, they are worse. As executor I sold at auction a few days ago for $11,000 a house for which $25,000 had been offered in 1866. The whole rent of the house for the last three years has not paid the taxes.
This cannot continue, and I have the hope that if we could call a constitutional convention, some check at least could be devised. Even minority representation would be a gain. But it is not possible that we could get a tax qualification for the voter. But we can do nothing without the aid of Congress or of some of the Republican party.
With much respect, yours very truly.
- ↑ Secretary of the Treasury of the Confederate States, 1861-64.