The Writings of Carl Schurz/To George F. Hoar, December 1st, 1898
TO GEORGE F. HOAR
Permit me to submit to your consideration the following suggestion:
The annexation to the United States of tropical countries with their mixed population being the gravest question that has ever been before the American people since the foundation of our Constitutional Government, and it being uncertain whether a majority of the American people really desire that this annexation be consummated, the people have a clear right to ask that an opportunity for manifesting their will be given them. Such an opportunity would be afforded if Congress passed an act submitting to a popular vote, unembarrassed by any other issues, the question whether the citizens of the United States favor such annexation of tropical countries.
I know, such a plebiscite would be a new thing. But the question before us in its present magnitude is no less a new thing. And it seems to me that an act providing for the taking of such a plebiscite might be so formed as to avoid all Constitutional difficulties.
Will you be so kind as to take this suggestion into consideration? And if it commends itself to your judgment, you would, I think, render an immense service in this supreme crisis by drafting and introducing such a bill as promptly as possible. If it presents the proposition in a manner Constitutionally unobjectionable, it is hard to see how the Imperialists in Congress can reject it without virtually admitting that they doubt whether they have the people really on their side.
I sincerely believe that if such a bill were passed giving us three months time for public discussion before the taking of the popular vote, the annexation scheme would be defeated by an overwhelming majority.