The Writings of Carl Schurz/From Samuel Bowles, March 22d, 1872

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Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz
Carl Schurz and others, edited by Frederic Bancroft

Speech: The Aims of the Liberal-Republican Movement, May 2d

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New York City: G. P. Putnam's Sons, page 353

3301277Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz — From Samuel Bowles, March 22dCarl Schurz and others

FROM SAMUEL BOWLES^[1]

Springfield, Mass., Mar. 22, 1872.

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The Democrats in Connecticut are making but a weak fight, and the probability now is that the Republicans will carry everything which will add to the acclaim for and acquiescence in Grant, and do a great deal to depress the Cincinnati movement. Two things stand very greatly in the way of this reform movement; first, the indisposition of the great body of Republican leaders, who really agree with you and me in the abstract, to speak their minds and take position against Grant, even within the party; and, second, the continued existence and pretensions of the Democratic organization. If the Democratic leaders would and could call a National Convention, to meet in May and formally throw up the sponge, making no nominations, but simply inviting their followers to find “their own” wherever they could, there would be no difficulty at once in organizing a great reform party, with the best elements of the Republican party as its leaders. But the average Republican is still haunted by the ghost of the Democracy, and in the absence of a frank and courageous movement on the part of such men as Dawes and Garfield, and Governor Hawley, this feeling seems destined to carry General Grant through another campaign. Here in Massachusetts, we can make no demonstration until Sumner speaks his mind. There are plenty ready to follow him—there are few to lead without him.

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↑ Editor of the Springfield, Mass., Republican.

[1] Editor of the Springfield, Mass., Republican.

[1]