Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1867-09-25
GEN. CARL SCHURZ AID THE RE
PUBLICAN PARTY.


A report has beer going the rounds of
the newspapers that Gen. Carl Schurz
had urged the Germans to abandon the
Republican party in State and local mat
tiers. Gen Schurz denies this, in a let
ter to Mr.. Rublee, of the Madison Jomm-
oI He insists that the issue now before
the country is reconstruction, which can
only be solved successfully by the repub-
hcan party, which must be heartily sus-
tanned by the people. He warmly COM
mends the spirit and language of the Wis
consin Republican platform, and strongly
urges the Germans Of this State to give
it, and the candidates nominated thereon.
their hearty support But here is the
letter, which we advise all to read:
ST LOUIS, Mo, Sept Il, 1867.
Ny DEAR SIR: Your letter is receiv-
ed. You inquire whether Mr.. Charles
Roeser, in his letter to the Boston Com
neonaoealth, gives a correct statement of
my views in saying that [ advised the
Germans "to bid farewell to the Republi
can party in state and local elections. but
to stand firm to the Republican party in
national elections" This is not cor
rect exposition of my views, nor do I
think that Mr.. Roeser intended to con-
vey the impression that I advised nv
German friends to abandon the Republi-
can party in all state and local elections.
The views [ expressed in the newspa-
per articles I wrote some time ago on
the prohibitory liquor law, and similar
oppressive and intolerant legislation,
were exactly those I have always held
and expressed when I had occasion to
discuss this subject. They are easily
summed:
That class Of legislation to which the
prohibitory liquor law belongs, is intrinsi-
cally wrong, and ought, therefore to be
vigorously opposed. But this is not the
main issue now before the people. The
great political problem of this period is
that OF reconstruction. It involves the
peace and happiness Of this country for
many years, perhaps for generations. Il
cannot be put off, and has to be solved on
its own merits. The only political mach
inery through which, un Ter existing cir.
cumstances a successful solution Of this
problem can be secured, is the Republic
can party. Another Republican admins
tratlon IS necessary to place the results Of
the war beyond the dangers of reaction
and to introduce them into the politica
habits of the people north and south
Until that subject is accomplished, the
Republican party is q necessity. It's de
feat IN national election would certain
! ~ bring on violent resction and ia
volve the Republic in the dangers of pro
tracted aud bitter political struggles
! Whatever course we may be inclined
to take with regard to other questions
the main issue must never be lost sigh
| of. The Republican party has its faults
They may be great 1t would be vastly
preferable, could we organize a new party
free of such short comings. But to &C
conpish this previous to the next Nation
al election IS an utter impossihility. The
attempt could only benefit our opponents
Ii we want to settle the reconstruction
business upon the basis Of correct princi
pies we must, therefore, preserve the eff
cheney of the only available machinery
for that purpose.
In the meantime, it is by no mean.
our duty to submit tamelY to attempts
made to use the Republican organization
IN local and State elections for illegiti
mate and obnoxious purposes. We should
IN the first place, vigorously oppose such
attempts inside Of tie party, and exper
lence shows that If this be done with en-
ergy. prudence and tact, we can accom-
pllsh much. But if this should prove O.
no avail we are, an case ofpressing nee
ess'ty, at perfect liberty to try the, effect
OF the defeat of Republican candidates as
remedy for the evil There is, howev
er, one circumstance under which the
exercise of this right may be objected to,
and that is, when by its exercise the ma
tlonal efficiency of this Republican or.
ganizatlon should be seriously impaired
and Its national ends endangered-these
ends being at the present moment of par.
amount Importance:
These are the views I hold and have
expressed whenever there was occasion
for it. 1t would, however, be vain tc
deny that there are a good many radical
Germans whom any attempt of the Re
publican party to infiet upon the com
munity arbitrary legislation encroaching
upon individual rights in an illegitimate
way, would induce them to sever their
connection with the Republican organ
ization, regardless of Consequences
Things have been done here and there
which have already gone far to effect this