The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-05-05
THE MAY CONFERENCE.
Carl schurz Defines His Position and the Object OF
the Conference.

Carl sehurz Defines His Position and the Object of
the Conference.
The Hon Carl Schurz has addressed
the following letter, through the col
umns of the Public, to Republican, as
an answer to an inquiry as to the ex-
Senator's purposes and position. 1t is
also a reply TO unfavorable criticisms
upon the May Conference:
"MY DEAR SIR: Knowing you as a
patriotic man and a sincere friend of re-
form, am gratified, but by no means
surprised, TO learn that you cordially
approve of the objects which the signers
of the call for the conference Oh the
18th of May have in view. But you are
in doubt as to the policy of such
movement outside of the Republican
party, "a | understand your letter, be-
cause the expression of any desire by the
Independents as to what the party
should do would be apt to be taken as
an attempt at dictatioD, and provoke
antagonistic feelings, and also because
your party friends look with great dis
trust and disfavor upon anything like a
third party movement.
''In my opinion. when a thing is right
in itself, it will be very apt to turn out,
in the end, the best policy. But, as you
address he from the standpoint of a
Republican, l will, for the sake of argu-
ment, in my answer waive higher con-
siderations, and ask yOn to look at this
matter from "A partisan point of view.
think even the most sanguine Republi-
cans will scarcely question the following
facts: The Republican party, in order
to succeed in the national election, can
not afford to lose the votes of many of
the Northern States. New York is, so
far, in the hands of the Democrats; like
wise Connecticut; Ohio was last fall
carried by majority of 5000 in a poll
of over 500, 600, and that majority in
cluded the whole independent vote;
Indiana is strongly inclined to be Demo
cratic; of Illinois neither Iarty is sure; :;
in Wisconsin the Republicans last fall
lost their whole State ticket with the eX-
ception of the Governor, who was elect
ed by very small majority, owing to
his personal popularity with certain
classes of Democrats in Milwaukee; Cal
ifornia and Oregon you can not count
upon with certainty. Probably not one
of these States can the Republicans ex-
pect to carry without the support of all,
or, at least, a large majority, of those
who of late years have acted independ-
emily of party control"
THE INDEPENDENT ELEMENT.
Now suppose this independent ele-
ment, through some organ of opinion,
informs you that such support can be
secured to the Republican party only 10y
a quite satisfactory assurance of a gen
uine and thorough reform of the govern
menr, in the shape of nominations of a
certain character, and that, if such sat
isfactory assurance be given, the sup
port and cooperation will be hearty and
active; would it be quite wise or patriot
ic on the part of Republicans to say !;
1T can not be denied that the thing they
ask for is in itself most just and desir
able: but their asking for it is piece of
impudence and an attempt at dictation
which must be resented, and therefore
it shall not be doneP Would not that
be like little children's play with the
great interests of the Republic, and a
folly suicidal in its consequences You
tell me there are many good men in the
Republican party earnestly in favor of
thorough reform. which is certainly true.
You express IL hope that they may be
strong enough to carry the necessary re-
forms by efforts inside of the Republi-
can party which l ferventIy wish may
become true. But what should we
think of the sincerity of that reform
spirit inside of the Republican party, if
it could be suddenly moved to turn
against its very objects, by the mere fact
that other people, not inside the party,
seek to accomplish the same ends and
say sol If such a thing could happen,
then, you will admit, it would in itself
be conclusive proof that such a reform
spirit is of too tickle temper to deserve
confidence, and that party, controlled
by such temper in its most important
action, has no claim on the support of
any sincere friend of reform. And the
result as to party success, under present
circumstances, would be obvious"
''No; trust, if the friends of reform
inside of the Republican party are strong
enough in the Cincinnati Convention to
control it, they will not permit them
selves to be seduced by mere childish
whim to do bad thing, simply because
the independents want them to do a
good one, and then lose the election.
But if the reform element inside of the
Republican party is not strongly enough
represented in the Cincinnati Conven
ton TO control it, then il has good rea-
son to be glad of any encouragement
and aid it can get from public opinion
outside. Indeed, the alliance between
the SINCERE reform element inside and
the independent element outside, ap-
pears so natural and necessary that
many patriotic men, hitherto strongly
attached to their party, and considered
as members in good standing, have ex
pressed 10 me their hearty approval of
the course the callers of the conference
are pursuing. and have promised their
active aid and cooperation"
A THIRD PARTY.
las TO the second point of objection,
may say to you candidly that we are
not at all ambitious to organize and lead
IL third-party movement. On the con
trary, | feel authorized to say, in the
name of all my friends, that we snail be
heartily glad if You and others succeed
i'll evolving from the Cincinnati Conven-
ton so good a result that We can con-
follow you. l feryently
i