The Writings of Carl Schurz/To Horace Rublee, November 11th, 1857
TO HORACE RUBLEE[1]
Our defeat is a disgrace to the name of Wisconsin. If I were not personally concerned in it,[2] it would be no less painful to me. It has ruined us morally and will have a very bad effect upon those members of the party, whose convictions are not so strong as to elevate them above the demoralizing influence of a disaster. How, indeed, do we stand? Beaten in consequence of our victories. If every success leads us into the winter-quarters of Capua, we shall always be defeated before being seriously attacked, and we shall never be able to keep the field in two consecutive campaigns. We are now no better than the French army after the battle of Rossbach.
At all events I want to have it understood that the Germans who are with us have done their duty. They have been at the polls almost to a man. But the result will undoubtedly have a bad effect upon them. They feel like young troops, who rush into the combat with all the confidence of enthusiasm, and suddenly become aware that the old guard refuse to fight, when it happens to be dinner-time. It will be difficult to lead them on again.
As for myself, I have got over it, as far as my personal disappointment is concerned. I saw our defeat clearly before me, when I learned the result in the main strongholds of Republicanism. Now, I feel like a man who has done his duty and who is ready to do his duty again. And as things are, we ought to have a keen perception of our duty.
One thing would be exceedingly mortifying to me: if I should be obliged to let our Republican paper at Watertown go down. It has done good service and now we want it more than ever. Until now I have borne all the expenses myself, but, the campaign having exhausted my means completely, I can do so no longer. The party has to do something towards sustaining it. Is there no help at headquarters? There is hardly a place in the State where a German organ is more wanted than in Watertown,—and it is for the party to determine whether we shall put down arms entirely. It would be disgraceful to surrender our artillery while we can keep it. Have the kindness to let me know whether we can expect something in that respect from Madison. You must excuse me if I have presumed too much upon your kindness. I have not written to the State central committee because they have no means and will hardly be able to dispose of the business already heaped upon them.
I have to thank you most heartily for the promptness with which you have taken up my defense whenever I was attacked and for all the kind things you have said of me.