The Writings of Carl Schurz/To Charles Sumner, May 9th, 1865
TO CHARLES SUMNER
Bethlehem, Pa., May 9, 1865.
The news the papers bring from the South leads me to believe that efforts are being made in Mississippi, Georgia and, it seems, in North Carolina also, to hurry those States back into the Union. In Mississippi a State convention is called to meet at Vicksburg on the 1st of June, and General Dana, who commands there, is openly countenancing the project. In Georgia, Governor Brown is trying to legislate the State back into the Union by a simple repeal of the act of secession.
It is more than probable that the persons engaged in these movements are new-fangled Unionists only made so by our military successes. In North Carolina, Vance has issued a proclamation as “Governor of North Carolina,” dated on the 28th of April. I know from General Schofield's own lips that he is in favor of the restoration to power of Vance and his legislature; at least he was so before I left that State, and I apprehend that in the other States above named the military commanders will hardly be sufficiently on their guard against the machinations of the old leaders.
The attention of those in power cannot be too frequently and too urgently called to the necessity of binding the military commanders by the strictest and most imperative instructions, and I would entreat you to do so as often as you find an opportunity. I had a very full conversation with the President immediately before my departure from Washington. The objects he aims at are all [that] the most progressive friends of human liberty can desire. But it is his policy, and in many respects a correct one, to bring about these results practically without making them the subject of popular discussion in the shape of an openly announced program. This will work very well if he has the right instruments to carry out his ideas in the rebel States, or if, by giving minute instructions, he can make such instruments as he has work in the traces. But in this respect nothing should be neglected, and above all, no time should be lost. If we only make a vigorous start in the right direction the problem will be easily solved. But if too much latitude is given to the mischievous elements in the South for the next few weeks, it will be exceedingly difficult to set matters right again, and in this respect I fear everything from the military commanders. I have pressed this matter upon the attention of the President as strongly as I could, but, I apprehend, another effort in the same direction on your part would not be superfluous. There is no problem within our whole political horizon that demands more immediate attention at the present moment. A false step now will bring new and endless troubles upon us.
I received the two papers containing the Louisiana debate and am obliged to you.