The Writings of Carl Schurz/To F. T. Reid and Others, September 23d, 1871
TO F. T. REID AND MANY OTHERS
Gentlemen: I have received your letter, and, without affectation, I may say that I can not find words strong enough to describe the joy it has given me. The spontaneous expression of such sentiments as your letter contains, coming from you as late soldiers of the Confederate Army, may well be called an event of great significance in the history of our days. When your former comrades, as you do now, rally once more around the flag of the American Republic as the symbol of universal freedom, equal rights and Constitutional government; when they declare that they will turn their backs upon all parties “groping in the moonlight of the past,” and discountenance that partisan spirit which is so apt to obscure human reason, and to blur the best moral impulses of the human heart; when they once more fully recognize the identity of their true interests with those of our great common country, then every patriotic citizen will feel that the regeneration of the South is certain to be accomplished by her own people.
If there is still lurking here and there a spirit which keeps alive feelings of animosity and distrust, and which, by means of social proscription, or intimidation or violence, strives to impede the development of a free public opinion, you can render it harmless by your influence and example.
If there are still disturbances of the peace and order of society occurring, calculated to produce the impression that the security and the rights of citizens can be sufficiently protected only by the interference of the General Government, in your local concerns, you can dispel that impression by devoting your energies to the enforcement of the laws, thus proving the capacity of local self-government to accomplish its legitimate end here as well as elsewhere.
If there is still an apprehension as to a secret design to subvert the logical and legitimate results of the war by reactionary movements, you will remove that apprehension by demonstrating that the young South has risen above old prejudices and obsolete aspirations, and is determined to build up again the prosperity and power of these States on a basis in harmony with the progressive spirit of the age. Men of courage and convictions like you will do nothing by halves; they will not look back when they have put their hands to the plow; and I assure you your efforts will have the sincerest appreciation, hearty applause and energetic support of every true friend of liberty and free institutions. Your rights will be safe in the security of the rights of all; your power will be strong in the restored brotherhood of all Americans, and the Republic will be proud of all her sons.
I am, gentlemen, with fraternal greeting, your friend and fellow-citizen.