File:Mazzini Letter to Schurz.png

       Party spirit has not crept in among us, at least on my side. Dominated by the idea, which you must find sufficiently just, that the initiation of the movement belongs to-day to the Alliance of Nationalities, and weary of the systematic discussions and disintegrating methods which have come to us from French socialism, I have done the utmost I could to choose a common ground and bring you all to it. I have stood in equal relations with the men of different shades of political opinion. I have acceded — the matter of the money is a proof of this — to all demands, no matter whence they came. I have been unsuccessful. I have found ten centers instead of a single one; rivals instead of the compact ranks of combatants I sought. To-day I do not know where to be looking for Germany — I mean, for that which represents the aim, the hope, the activity of Germany. On one hand I meet French communities, on the other, Proudhonian independence. This deeply grieved me, for I aim singly at action, and feel excessive shame for democracy which talks, talks, talks, and allows itself to be beaten at every point by those who do not talk, who hate one another, but have the sense to remain united for the purpose of defeating us.

       To-day I no longer have faith in any but ourselves. And I work to convince my countrymen of this. That is all,