Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-05-08
cow Nh NICATIONs.
REFORM NO. 1---soMErH1Ne ON CONSERVATISM.


which INJURIES no one but the solitary expermenter But
in government such failures involve multitudes and are
generally ireparable Certainly to try new experiments
in amendments to State Constitution fraught with dam
ger and hence it has been considered maxim of civil Drill
dence eradicate little practicable IN the delicate and
hazardous task OF amending DID, though detective Con-
stuton Indeed, history proves that defective, yet sta
Die government is sometimes better than the anarchy and
confusion which have followed lis destruction. When
old Constitution oyerthrown and cast asde eoTmers are
at sea- guided by their falacous theories alone and that
under such circumstances patriotic and wise may in
ct upon their country instances may be
found to show For instance, the famous Constitutions of
| The Caronas, framed by the wise Locke
| Why is this {! why Is 1t that the progress Of truth
seems thus meet with peculiar obstacles in these obst-
nate old forms and doctrines of government? Why is it
thus dangerous 10 let loose all the winds of free opinion and
apply the hundred Of speculation against the old fash
Toned and quaint architecture Of government Why cant
modernse it and adapt to the present age readily
pull down old ugly house and construct new
handsome one? Sumo reformes say we can-snap their
fingers at the difficulty and are just as ready 10 undertake
the job ribbon house mechanic is to put YOU up the
cheapest house in the world.
But Rome not built in day; neither isa Constitu-
ton made Of bricks and mortar; neither has there been
found IN modern times any single mind capacious and
enough, even any assembly Of sufficient wisdom
construct the complete fabric of government out of en-
ely new materials and in an entirely new STYLE From
|
present government Of Virginia. whatever Of strength of
beauty, Of grandeur and Of durability have been attained in
the governments Of the world have been the slow gradual
growth of agcsthe artistic touch great statesman here
the careful rebuilding of fallen column there-nuw the
raising Of some needu buwark Snd then the opening Of
some light-givng window that while new wants shall
be supplied and imminent dangers obvated and perfection
be gradually attained the ancient foundations and solid
me-honoed and moss covered walls shall not be shaken
and the unity and integrity of the whole shall DO preserved
Systpm nj mi IrD In yi. button
eminent, and form such SYSTEM but simple and easv
task, in comparison with the construction Of complete
Constitution Yet how slowly and gradually the wis
dom, not Of men, but ages has accumulated the rules and
doctrines handed down to us as the Common Law.
Our American Constitutions and systems of law, atho
considered by indigenous free America and of
purely modern growthwill be found to contain the germ
OF this ancient and cumulative wisdotn and be built up
on principles long established, and doctrines gathered from
the experience OF past times modified only TO suit the pc.
cnIia position OF people and 10 make their lib
erty just regained. How old is Magma Chara and the
wit of habeus corpus and the principle that 'the people
should only be taxed through their representatives." and
the trial by jury? 1t is true, that glance we perceive
the vast difference between the old English Constitution
and own and accustomed regard our own as the
solitary and peculiar model Of free government, constructed
purely modern principles But lei reflect that
our first statesmen constructed their governments Of
their heads, without regard old forms and doctrines
which, however, they did notyet that the present age
o speak more accurately
the Institutions OF Virginia, is mure than 2OO years. Al
though nomnay under the British yoke, in her earliest
days Virginia in her forms and legislation, repesen-
tave democracy, tenacious of her franchises and of elg-
liberty, jealous of landed arsocacy, and eIectng
free and independent house Of Bugesses And from that day
tohs she has only by slow and gradual steps modified her
Institutions
Such stubborn facts, and they strongly sug
gesve of the idea advanced above that theory and specu
ton are not so applicable to government to The abstract
sciences for instance. But why this so, profound
question for political philosophers which cannot undertake
10 discuss 1t may be partly owing to The impraclcably
which perhaps always exists OF introducing any people
perfect form VI government And this difficulty again
suits from various For instance, great sectional diff
teenceS in the State either Of habits, CUSTOMS bust
ness docInes-polilca religious s;ca-obects inter
ess, Prejudices, sc this difference causing the Constu
lion TO be compromise, sacrificing sUmehng of abstract
perfection Or again. the necessity Of economy in govern
men which gives up ideal pehecisns for The cheap
OF the article the extent Of the jurisdiction Of the
Stale the tai5liy of whom is entrusted the
conduct oil the government the existence OF surround
ing federal government, embarrassing the mperin IN i'm
perio and conpcang every thing by the tLSiOn Of all
controlling federal politics, with many other similar
IT, then, these obstacles TO perfection always exist in Con-
stituton it will readily be perceived why theories and spec
uations often inapplicable which, though in them
selves unOectOnable and capable Of mathematical demon
straon yet IN practice must be greatly modified TO be made
at all available.
One great example of this truth is that though pure
democracy the inevitable result of the theory that the
people capable of self government, yet in practice all
nations have been compelled TO modify that result into
representative republic. But the limits Of essay forbid
my entering further into this speculation. Considering,
them the great lapse OF time and The accumulated wisdom
past ages and Of our patriotic ancestors which have
been necessary 10 bring cherished institutions TO what
maturity they have attained, should cherish
profound respect and veneaon for lhose institutions, and
proceed with great caution and conservatism to the amend
ment of any defects which experience has developed And
in removing papabe defects, think we should be careful
TO introduce forms, practices, doctrines, Institutions
as yet tried by and not sufficiently established by
the experience of other States. II must be unwse TO
place institution feature in our Constitution (he
proprety Of which only suspecled-assaulled by some
but defended BY others-opposed by theory only, with but
slight counereXperience but upheld partially, at least
by long experience and the opinions of many wise and pa
rolic men, by something radically different and destrnc
tive of what has been for ages considered an Indispensable
security for purity, integrity, fidelity and capacity in office
The present judicial tenure, for instance And still less de-
Unable would be the entire destruction Of this important ea
ure for the sole purpose of curing very partial and im
ted disease for which remedy perhaps many remedies,
may be suggested equally eicacious, simple, and
less radically Alternative What would be thought of the
wisdom of that man who in order 10 remedy smoking
chimney would take down the whole, and rebuild 1t on
different pan when slight change would make it draw
equally well? And here is illustrated the difference be-
conservatism and radcalsm and the distinction be-
conservatism and obstinate, impraclicable political
hgory. Radcaism is utterly at with the old; bgoty
is violently and unreasonaby opposed to the new-while
just conservatism maintains the golden Radlcasm
uproots every thing to remedy partial evil bgory hides
her head obsnaey her ancient gloomy castles, to shut
out from her weak eyes the brilliant lights Of modern dis
covery while conservatism, like judlcOus architect, whose
mind deeply mbued with classic truth and beauty yet kin
dies with each ray of modern light, while he still pre-
the noble old outnes-the passive sucureand the
classic proportions of the edifce is sku and prompt with
light artistic touch, to color shape and ornament the whole
with modern art, elegance, comfort and convenience.
And what in plain English, is that conservatism which
is the fashion Of reormers abuse and which, yet
good old fashioned people ha5laay regard as viz
tue Is it in truth the principle which unies The rich
ganst the poor which strengthens yrans and opposes the
progress ofliberly Not at ALL But It's high political vr-
tue is the prudence Of politics and part Of The palri