Minnesota weekly times., 1856-11-29

Progress VS.. Conservatism.

Even in rushing, rsving, tearing America where
steam and tightening were made use of to expca-
dte business here where it is proverbal
that men, think fast, travel fast, live fast, cat
fast, and die early, everybody claims to be con-
servativc. Every political party, public print
and private individuel say that they are and al
ways shall be highly conservative.
1t is acknowledged on all hands that conscrva-
| tism is an essential element in civil government
and necessary to its stability. We are told that
tho English our superiors in this respect-that
in fact this is tho grand characteristic of John
Bull and the reason why he is so much better
than his eager hasty younger brother, from some
cause or other he is never quiet. He calls Broth
or Jonathan young fllibuster but he has never
ceased to add to his domains by every means in
his power, sparing neither blood money nor
credit. He calls Brother Jonathan warlikc, while
he himself never yet lived in peace with his near
est neighbour across the channel unless he had
him completely under his thumb or was bear
hunting in his company.
Austria and old King Bomba Of Naples may
claim to be conservative, with some show of ar
gument, for they have stoutly clung to their good
old custom of Juggling and starving christians,
and zealous,y strven to keep the bible from their
| benighted subjects.
| But to return to America-it is strange how
every body advocates the principles and precepts
of the Fathers. What Washington and Jefferson
said about the Union is quoted by one party, and
what thay said about slavery by the other
| Each party claims to be not only moderate and
conservative but perfectly cool. They are
| trenched behind the maxims and customs of their
forefathers, and their opponents may rave if they
| like. They don't care, not they.
The Democrats call their Republican friends
fanatics and disuniouists. AS for themselves,
they are the same old party that has existed ever
since the Revolution, and Washington was their
first President. They tell us they have nothing
to say, except what they always have said, and
that is what must be the sentiments of every con-
servative unionloving man. 1t is true the Repub-
| lcan journals have repetedly avowed, that, who
ever was elected President, they would abide the
issue, and hope for the best while many of the
Democratic prints at the South, have declared
that if Fremont was elected he should never be
inaugurated and all their demagogues at the North
have told the people that unless they elected Bu-
chanan the union would be Dissolved. 1t is true
the Republican leaders labored hard to preserve
the Missouri Compromise which was productive
of peace and quiet if nothing else. 1t is true the
Republicans have endeavoured to keep slavery
within its present limits, while Democrats have
endeavoured to preserve it, by extending it over
the territories. Mr.. Buchanan's pro-slavery sup
porters may want to reopen the slave trade and
have Cuba for slave depot. Even conservative
Mr. Buchanan himself, who is in favor of preser-
wing the wages of day laborers within the limits
of ten cents per diem, may be in favor of getting
new territory at any expense, provided it is not
free and enlightened Canada. Still they all
very conservative uniOnists. The Democrats,
have been maligned and msrepresented. By
some curious coincident it happened that Brooks
and Keitt and Herbert and Gov. Wise and Frank
Pierce and the opposers of the Vigilance Com
mttee in California were Democrats but they are
not fair specimens, say they: they are not con-
servatives.
Now we are in favor of preserving everything
that is worth preserving, from cucumbers and
plumbs; up to State Rights and the Union, but
there are some things from which we pray
Heaven to preserve US, AMI chiefly from another
administration like the present. When men and
measures have been tried and are found wanting,
we say, throw them aside and seek fer better
True conservatism is progress in the right direc-
tion, for it is only by progress that what has
been already gained can be kept good. True
conservatism is not clinging to what is old
simply because it is old. Decay and corruption
| follow age.
The talk about Fremont and his party being
| too young, and the indefinite fear which many
entertained that new men and measures would be
destructive to the safety of the Union, is mere
nonsense. If Fremont had been elected, he would
have selected cabinet of old and we'll tried men.
lie would send governor to Kansas who would
restore quiet and confidence in good earnest.
Bona fde elections would then ensue, and the
character of its institutions be determined without
a struggle. Cuba and Slavery would remain as
they are. A railroad would be built to the
Pacific. Southern agitators would cease to agi.
tate, for agitation would be vain aud the COM
ing four years would be spent in quiet at home
and peace abroad.
We hope Bachanan's administration may not
be IN dark contrast to this, but unless it is, many
of his supporters will be sadly disappointed in
their hopes and we in our expectations.