Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-02-29
Conservative Proyress.

This is an active, industrious, investigating, pro-
gressive age. Old customs and habits are not re-
spected and observed simply because they are old.
Nearly every thing is weighed in the scales ofutility
and self-interest; while one great truth standing
out by ITSELF is accounted of more importance than
scores of theories which beget only vague apprehen
sions of uncertainty and change Men do not trem-
BILE at the sound of their own footsteps when they
walk on solid ground do they hesitate to strike
out in new and unknown courses when they have the
lamps of truth and experience guide them in their
progress. To distrust the integrity, the honesty,
and the intelligence Of the people is to doubt their
capacity to govern themselves To fear that they
will not conserve what is valuable while they lop off
what is useless Objectionable is to assume in ad-
vance that selfgovernment is at best doubtful ex-
pertinent which must be still further tested before
it is accepted as established principle in the his
tory of mankind. Discussion does not necessarily
imply strife. Differences of opinion must exist in
all free States. 1t is the business of the statesman
not so much to compose to direct these differences
to good result. Conservative progress is at least
inevitable, and is seldom unjust 1t differs much
from thoughtless innovation as the locomotive, I'M
der the restraining and guiding hand of the engineer,
differs from the same conveyance when left to the
ungoverned action of fire and steam
Mr.. Higgins Seriously g Onplushed.'
AT late meeting of the Oppositonists of Onslow
county, the following resolutions offered by Owen
Higgins, Esq, wero unanimously adopted:
"ResOlced That we have seen the action of the
Working Mems Association of Raleigh regards
taxation wherein they express that they in favor
of an dd UatOrem adjustment on the property, there
by taking the taxes off the white poll, which we
look upon agraran doctrine.
ReSOLred That we are not in favor of amending
the Constitution of North-Carolina."
Mr.. Higgins was delegate from Onslow to the
late Opposition Convention, and, as such, placed
himself on a platform in favor of adj UalOrem.
"Where be your gibes now," oh Higgins? You
"are not in favor of amending the Constitution of
North-Carolra," and yet you are fol Convention.
The following resolution among others also
adopted by "a large and enthusiastic meeting" of
the Oppositionists of Washington county, recently
held:
"Resolred, That the principle avowed in what is
called the Working Mems Association in Raj
eigh," is readily understood. In it is recognized
covert and sinister purpose to change our Constitu
ton which We value, and which should not be
changed to suit every popular breeze gotten up by
demagogueS to suit their own personal or party
views of expediency."
Surely the Opposition party of North-Carolina is
the most straightforward and consistent party that
ever existed 1t is too bad, however, to put Mr..
Higgins to such "onplush." Our neighbor Of
the Register has been quite badly treated for he
was just as much opposed to ad raIorem as Mr.. Hug
gins cas;; but then friend Syme is only polti-
clan, and is used to the "Jm Crow" dance. Other
Wings are keeping step to the music of the UEion"
but Messrs. Syme and Higgins are just now engag
ed in finishing up that popular step known as james
Crow. We wish them long dance, much ex-
haustion and no little perspiraton.