The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-12-17
Correspondence Between Sena-
tors SChurZ and Thurman.

WASHINGTON, Dec. c. The following
correspondence viii prove of interest, as
,sho wing the peculiar status occupied by
the Ei3eral Republicans toward the regu-
lar Democratic and Liberal Republican
organizations
WASHINGTON, D. C. Dec. 6, 1872.
My DEAR SIR: lam informed that the
Democratic members of the Senate have
resolved 10 tll the vacancy left by the
Administration caucus on the Committee
Of Foreign Affairs with my name, Mr.
Casscrly voluntarily offering to give up
the position lie has hitherto held on that
committee as the representative of the
Democratic Senators. very highly ap-
precate the kindly spirit which charac-
terizes your action with regard to myself,
but | cannot permit this arrangement to
be consummated without laying before
you my view of the circumstances sur
rounding this case. 1t has so far been the
rule that the Democratic party. beihg in Z
minority in the Senate, should have at
least one representative on each commit
tee. The withdrn%al of NJ. Casserly,
and my appointment in his place, would
deprive it of that representation. In
ieTery speech made during the late Pres
idcntial campaign, frankly declared that
l had not passed from the Republican
into the Democratic party, and my atti-
tude is the same to-day. can, therefore,
not be regarded as the representative of
that party on committee of the Senate
The generous action Of your friends i'm,
pose npon me the duty of stating to you
with equal fiankness what my future
course will be The programme adopted
last winter in Missouri, upon the basis oi
which the Cincinnati Convention was
called, represe DTS substantially my politi
cal faith. 1t included the recognition
and maintenance of the logical and legit
mate results ,of the war, as embodied il
the Constitution asit stands-a policy oi
reconciliation with regard to the South
honest and economical administration
a genuine and thorough reform Of tht
civil service and of the revenue system
opposition to Capitalization and dan
gerous assumption of power; return tc
sound constitutional principles and th'
government of laws. For the reali
cation of the principles laid down and II,
measures of policy advocated III tha
platform, / shall faithfully work, withou
permitting myself 70 be diverted by othe
considerations. If the Administration
do anything to promote these ends,
shall then supportlt. In whatever tn
Administration NAV do in the opposite di
rection, l shall earnestly oppose it.
shall therefore not make opposition t.
the Administration under any and all Gil
cumstances, nor support it as well. Sue
opposition will be governed by my sens
of duty, without considering mysel
bound by party interests.
1t will, therefore be clear TO you that
cannot take upon myself the obligation
of serving on committee as the Repre-
sentative of party, but iseek TO preserv
the independence of the opinions an
convictions of duty which will govern N
conduct. While l cannot too strongl
express my sense of the generous ant
friendly spirit which prompted you an
your political associates in acting as 70
did, and especially of the magnanimity c
Mr. Casserly,in showing himself ready t
give up an honorable position to max
room for rue, should be unjust to 20
and your friends, as wellas to myself, di
} | not, under the extraordinary circuu
stances in which the Administration cat
Gus has placed us, lay before you an Ell
tirely frank and cordial expression of m
views and purposes. / am, dear sir. yer
truly yours, c. ScHURz.
Hon. A. g. Thurman.
WASHINGTON CRY, Dec. 6.
Ny DEAR SIR In reply your letter
this date, I am instructed by the Demo
cratic Senators to say that your positio
and views were understood by them whe
they placed your name on the list of th
Committee on Foreign Relations, an
that your selection was and is not consit
cred by them as surrender of principl
or position by either you or them