Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-10-17
FOR THE ADVERTISER.
no. Nv.
AS OLD PfASTER
Reform

"
We have endeavorcd to show, that in.
novation is Of most dangerous tendency,
and conservation of the last Importance, in
every government. We are, however, not
so ultra as to deny the frequent necessity
Of the former, or TO urge blind,adhercncc
to The latter. This would be TO hinder
progressive improvement. Tho~ just doc
lrine is, to advance The one without preju-
dice 10 the other 10 innovatc, yet, as far
as practicable, to conserve. This is The
true idea or Reform. The word, in ita
very sisniGcalon, implies iniprouen,eni-a
change from bad 10 good, or from good, TO
better. Any change. then, which effect.
the rersrse of This cannot be styled Re form.
With this general notion of The term, let
US consider first the nature, and secondly,
the objects Of Reform. First, ils nature.
TO amend, to correct, is, as we have Sta.
ted, ils fundamental idea. 1t does not, as
commonly thought, always accompany
change. Reform supposes the existence of
a1, actual evil. The first effort, is then, to
determine that evil: the next, to discover
a proper remedy and afterwards. to give
that remedy practical efficacy. Three i'm.
portant inquiries, arise, therefore, for con-
sideration. First, What, in the laws, GUS.
toms and institutions ola country, may be
regarded evils, that need correction? 2nd,
What, is tho best possible remedy for
those evils? Aud 3rlly, what results are
likely to ensuo by the change!
These ale questions Of no ordinary con.
cern. They demand, often, the first abili-
ties, and the weighticst reflection. TO
deem that an evil domau1ins reform, which
may be inherent in government, or neccs-
sarily attendant on free society. might load
TO tho most alarming consequences. Ii
might give rian e" a r".i. -r--Stf- -innnYa-
ton, which in its headstrong Gryor, may
destroy every thing valuable in the body
pollic. Great wisdom is necessary 10
comprehend Tho true policy Of important
laws and institutions. aud TO foresec the
sometimes terrible effects resulting from
their change. 1t is suhjec, fit only for
the statesman and Philosopher!
1t is, likewise, a matter for discerning
sagacly 10 devise The best remedies for po.
lilical evils To make Tho remedy fully
encompass the evil to foresee, that it will
be permanent corrective; md that it
will give brIlI to no dangerous incidents,
are sub jecs for stalesmau-like ability and
wisdom. These are matters in which un>
informed and unreIlecling politicians ure
almost sure 10 err.
The usual style of reform among The
sciolists of our country, is TO pull down
entirely, and to build up anew; TO get rid
Of one Of the evils of an institution by DIES.
lroying the institution itself, aud to rely
upon tho hazardous efforts of rash expert.
ment. TO remedy The Inconvenience Of the
effected chaugc-as, if an heir, 10 improve
his estate, should remove tho magnificent.
though irregular mansion, improved by a
long line OF ancestors, in order to erect
some snowy edifice TO crafty Tho viIated
taste Of his fancy aud times. This would
be too puerile not 10 excite contempt: yet
the folly would not equal that of him, who
would dcmolish the costly and limc-honor-
ed editice Of stqie, rea.cd upon the isdom
Of ages al the expense Of millions of lrea-
sure aud "ccaus of blood. 10 erect iu 's
stead. a nmsy and tollering fabric, to suit
the genius and compass Of Few tangled
theories. Yet how often is this folly en-
empllicd in tic daily conduct Of affairs !!
How often are wise institutions and sulula-
ry laws made to yield 10 the rude vauda.
lsm OF infatuated innovalors!
The impolicy of such procedure need
scarcely he dwell upon. The disorder,
riot, confusion and anarchy which follow,
furnish sufficient commentary. Lei Us ap-
peal to history for illustration. How'd
ront has been he policy Of nations on the
subject of political improvement One
nation has pursued a determined course OF
Reform, Ivy removing and amending abu.
ses and Inconvenience. but clinsing to the
solid baso.work of her ancient poity
while, another, despising tho wisdom Of
the past and infatuaed by The charms of
novel theories, has utterly destroyed her
old political organization and trusted to
the genius of Invention for new and tenn
porary governments. Contrast England
aud France. The former, like the latter,
has Inexperienced MANY sudden political
changes, and popular outbreaks for reform.
Yet how dittcront the style Of procedure
England, moving on, in her repeated e[
forts at Improvement, with sturdy manl.
ness OF character. has Topped OFF from her
political system, many abuses and incon-
veniences, and secured important additions
to her charter liberties without shaking
Tho foundations of the slate Editice. She
struggled resoluIely with arbitrary power,
till she obtained her Magma Carta, her
Carta de Forcsta, her HaJeas Corpus Act.
and her famous Bill Of Rights, which,
with great practical wisdom, she attached
TO her old polity, thereby adding large-
ly TO tho liberty and happiness Of her
people.
Franco has acted differently. In her