lican institutions preserved. If, to use an expression employed by Governor Allen of Ohio with regard to specie payments, honest government can be laughed down as a “barren ideality,” then we may tremble for the future of the Republic. It seems to me the papers referred to are not quite prudent in scoffing at the “idealists,” for, unless I am greatly mistaken, “idealists” will be in great demand as soon as the Presidential campaign is opened, as they were last summer in Ohio and many times before.
As your letter embodies suggestions which have appeared in some journals not unfriendly, I deem it proper to give this reply to the Public. I shall also send you an invitation to our conference, and hope you will accept.
TO L. A. SHERMAN
Private.
I should have replied to your letter before this, had I
not been overburdened with correspondence. I am glad
to learn that the Bristow movement in Michigan is
vigorously progressing, and I hope it will bring forth
a strong delegation to the Cincinnati Convention. Let
no effort be spared.
You ask me whether Mr. Elaine would be a desirable
candidate. Let me ask you whether a man who for years
has wielded great power and influence and has never used
it to uncover and put down corruption, and never ad
vanced any measure to reform the abuses of the Govern
ment, can be an acceptable candidate when it is the very
first duty of the American people to reestablish the moral
character of their Government, and when this must be
done against the opposition which comes from the "ma
chine"? On this question there can scarcely be two
opinions among sincere and earnest friends of reform.
