The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-30
From hs Pen Yam Democrat
CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLES.


We have been frequently asked to define
the meaning Of " Conservative principles in
politics. Let us for once be book-learned.--
Wcbster's Dictionary says, Conservative,
Preseryative having the power 10 preserve
in safe or entire state, or from loss, waste
or injury" This expresses exactly or fully
our meaning of the phrase as applied to poll
tics. When President Jackson came into
power, his watchward and pledge was " Re-
form" and he nobly redeemed that pledge
Old abuses and errors grown mighty by suf-
ferance, were searched and corrected, and he
wrestled fearlessly with the Anakims Of cor
ruption, and overthrow them. His measures
were re-echoed and approved by public senti-
ment, and he was triumphantly sustained by
the voice Of the people. He aimed only at
the correction Of abuses. But in process of
time certain demagogues seeking for popular
favor, and through that, for Office and power,
took the word Reform" for their motto, and
under it, have sought to overthrow every in
| terest which interfered with their designs
to PROSTATE those institutions and usages with
| which the welfare Of the country was identi-
fed, and 10 demolish all that was venerable.
sacred or useful " Reform" in their hands
became " destruction" The mania has spread
rapidly and fearfully. Men have been smit-
ten with sudden love for subtle theory ex-
periments which popular sentiment neither
demanded nor authorized, were attempted to
| be tried; and I.oco-focoism, at first despised
and humble, has found its way and favor in
high places.-The radical spirit Of the day
needs to be checked. Wave after wave has
rolled on with resistless force, and in vain
have the conservative patriots cried, reform
and regulate, but do not destroy" The prin-
ciples of those patriots have at length found
"a local habitation and name" little
| Spartan band has sprung up, whose determi-
nation is to 60 for their country, and to say
| to the reckless spirit Of radicalism, /" thus far
shalt thou go and no farther; !" here shall the
turbulent and frothy waves of loco-focoism be
stayed, and that mandate is respected and
echoed from Maine to Louisiana. They have
adopted the term conservative" as their ex-
pressiye watchword. 1t means all that is ex-
pressed in the above definition. 1t means
"the friends Of union, order, and good faith"
/ those attached to the American Constitution,
!, and who adhere to the present form of GO
Y vernment. 1t means those, who are not OPP
. posed to a credit system duly regulated who
. are not in fayor..of destroying all banks and
= corporations and who do not advocate an
i ultimate division ofproperty, and of throwing
J. back society to the state Of the dark ages
I, 1t means those, who would preserve inyiola-
Il BILE public faith, credit, and confidence, both
y at home and abroad who respect the obliga-
n,tion of contracts; and who would investigate
I and correct all abuses, but not overthrow well
asJatried existing systems. Il means those who
,eego for the country, and the whole country,
and its prosperity the people, as well as the
g government who are the servants of the peo-
waDle 1t means those who advocate mixed
currency, safe and equitable in its operations,
ttonvenient, productive and attainable. 1t
e those, who are opposed to mobocracy
sebn the one hand, and undue exertion Of Ex-
executive power on the other. 1t means those,
trir%ho are opposed to the dwelling system in all
nets wild theories, destructive results. and ex-
lh5ravagant details. 1t means the sterling de-
\ ~ s.nocracy Of the land who were taught in the
,ry chool Of jefferson and Madison, and who APP
!, prove and carry out their views and measures.
'nAnd it means those who will oppose any
nsneasures, which lead to public /" loss, waste,
|, for injury" Such are conservative princi-
e ples I" such are our conservative doctrines.