The Writings of Carl Schurz/To J. W. Hoag, June 29th, 1884
TO J. W. HOAG
Dear Sir: Your kind letter of the 25th inst. has reached me. We have not circulated any “documents” yet, giving elaborate reasons for our opposition to Blaine, but only a short protest for signature, which has already received a large number of names, all of Republicans who refuse to vote for the candidates nominated at Chicago. I enclose the heading of it, and I shall be glad to have your signature too, which I hope you will give upon a candid consideration of the case.
As you say you know that I was right in 1872, you will permit me to tell you why I believe I am right now.[1] The greatest danger threatening our republican institutions is that deterioration of public morals which, although leaving their form for the time being intact, corrupt their substance. That demoralization will spread the more rapidly and thus become the more pernicious, the more it is tolerated by public opinion. This general proposition you will certainly not deny. But it is useless to accept it in theory if it is disregarded in practice.
The Republican Convention has nominated for the Presidency a man who, by his own published correspondence, stands convicted of having traded upon his high official position and power for his own pecuniary advantage. Of this the notorious “Mulligan letters” leave no doubt. By nominating such a man the Republican party, which once could justly call itself “the party of moral ideas,” says to this and coming generations, that in its opinion such practices may not only be carried on with impunity, but that men who indulge in them may still be glorified with the highest honors and trusts of the Republic—may become Presidents of the United States. Have you considered what that means? It means the planting of a seed which, if permitted to grow, will bear a crop of demoralization and corruption hitherto scarcely dreamt of. It means the poisoning of the ambition of our American youth. It means the eventual destruction of republican government by rot and disgrace.
There is but one remedy. It may be demonstrated decisively and conclusively, that when a political party, whatever its name or past career, is reckless enough to nominate such a man, the American people may be counted upon to have moral spirit enough to defeat him. This is the only remedy that will be effective. I therefore consider the defeat of Mr. Blaine a moral necessity, and I deem it my sacred duty as a citizen of this Republic, who has its honor and its future at heart, to help [in] defeating him to the best of my ability. If, as you say, I was right in 1872, I feel profoundly that I am ten times more right now.
May I hope that you will sign your name to the enclosed protest?
- ↑ Mr. Hoag's letter contained this sentence: “I followed your lead in 1872 and knew you were right. I think you are wrong now, but would be glad to see some of the reasons you give for taking the position you do.”