Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-02
Letter from the Hon. Carl scburz.

Letter from the Hon. Carl Scburz,
TO eEHvAs FpuoE Ssw roRK.
The men who arranged the New York re-
form conference and carried it through, had
for their first object a true civil service re-
form, and a sound position on the financial
question. They had all sorts Of candidates
in mind, but their candidates represented
certain principles and were not pressed sim
ply on their own account. They wanted TO
promote the nomination of proper men in
order TO give their prime object the greatest
possible push forward but they had no no
ton of swearing unqualified fidelity TO such
men, whether or no their candidacy, by its
attending conditions, made doubtful the at
tainment of the great end in view. Who
ever thinks that the conference was devoted
to the service of particular persons, has en-
tirely mistaken its spirit. Had any one there
asked the question "Shall we support
candidate on a platform which, as a compro-
mise with the inflationists, calls for the re-
peal of the resumption act, and requires the
nomination of Vice-President who will
represent the softmoney party ?" what would
you have answered then Your answer
would have been a strong Yes;" mine, and
that believe, of the whole assembly, would
have been distinct "Nol" This case is
now presented to u.s. and should be tram
pling on my honest convictions were now
to say Yes"
Had any oneassked us the further question
Shall a candidate be nominated who is not
now numbered among the desirable ones,
but who being known as a thoroughly hon
orable man, takes lofty view OF his nomi-
nation and proposes to mark out for himself
programme above the party platforms, which
not only is satisfactory on the financial ques-
ton, but also seizes corruption in its very
stronghold-the booty system-throws down
the gauntlet to the political machine mana
gers, robs the Congressman OF his patronage
and, by decisive measures of reform, puts an
eud to the prevailing abuses and who then,
unembarrassed by his following, overrides,
by the force of his own will, the strongest
partisan influences that can be brought to
bear upon him-can we support such can
didateP do not believe that the conference
would have said No;" | doubt, indeed,
whether You would have said so Yourself
1t is true that neither the one nor the other
exigency was foreseen when the address of
the conference was drawn up but both now
present themselves, and we are compelled to
choose between them. Shall we signers of
the address now argue. like little children,
that, because the present state of things was
not contemplated in the address, therefore it
does not exist for us 2 Shall we not act the
more consistent part by carrying out the
spirit of the conference, instead of shutting
our eyes 10 the altered circumstances and
following a simple name Faithfulness TO
n higher duty is the true consistency which
marks the man of convictions. IL il better
to be thus consistent in spirit than to merely
appear consistent in externals.
1t is true, affairs have not shaped them
selves as | would have had them and your
desires are quite poorly gratifed. of my
relations TO the old parties make no secret.
| regard them exactly as | used to- and |
take nothing back of what | have said as
well of the one as of the other.
After no hasty resolve, but after calm
and earnest consideration of all the circum-
stances, ! have come to the conclusion that
the ends most distinctly sought by the New
York conference will be best attained by the
election of Mr.. Hayes, and in this conviction
| am willing TO subject myself TO all suspi-
cions and assaults. That there are in the
Republican party influential persons who, in
the event of Mr.. Hayes election, will strive
TO hinder the carrying out of his reform pro-
gramme and TO make use of him for other
purpose, know as well as YOU do. But be
lieye that these persons will find that they
have mistaken their man,
! will hazard q prophecy as TO what the
future has in store for us. | should not
dare to promise the people an ideal political
situation, ii Mr.. Hayes be elected but, as
regards the three points which the address
of the May conference touched upon, the
following appears to me as sure as anything
one can ever count upon in the future M
The application OF the whole constitutional
power Of the executive 10 secure prompt
resumption of specie payments. and ap-
parently an agreeable majority in Congress.
(2) A weeding-out Of bad officers, and
consequent carrying through of his pro-
gramme OF civil service reform on the part
OF the President, so far as his constitutional
powers will permit him. The employment
in the public service OF not one more party
agent. The abolition of the booty system.
Opposition to these reforms on the part of
the booty politicians in Congress. The over
throw OF this opposition at the next con
gressional elections. (i) An intelligent exc
cution of the laws, joined with Just, con
oliatory and honorable policy toward the
people OF the South.
Ia the event of a democratic victory QD
sottmoney majority in the House OF Rep
resentatives. Efforts on the part OF the Pres
ident IN behalf OF resumption of specie pay
ments, which are ruined by the majority In
the House Of Representatives. A continue
tion of our uncertain financial position for
an indefinite length of time. In case of the
succession of Mr.. Hendricks TO the Presi-
dency, universal confusion aud a revival of
the inilationists' plans CD The weeding-out
of the bad officers, but also Of the good ones
A tremendous, irresistible rush of Office
seekers from South and North TO divide the
booty. A substantial continuance of the
booty system and the civil service as party
machinery, and all the Generalization which
would flow from that. Sundry efforts in the
right direction, borne down by the pressure
of partisan interests from all sides. (3)
The rousiug of false hopes among the law
less element in the South by their party VIC
tory, and the increase of terrible excuses
and reactionary efforts, in spite of the
desire of the government aud the better
part of the Southern people to suppress such
disorders.
A ATNnAN-STunAr aolclae ,.rt.., asl-.,.l L.,