Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-07-28
From Harpers wssiIy.
"CoDGervatiam."

From Harper's Weekly.
| 'ConBervRtism."
Since "Conservatism" eliminated in the
bloody riots of last summer it has not pa
raded its name very conspicuously. But
of late we have observed that it begins to
plume itself little. "ConservatlVe" men
are invited to do this and that. Certain
movements are described as GConserVa-
tive" "Conservative" opinions are warm.
ly commended. Let US see, then, what
Conservatism truly is, and test the claims
of that which just now in our history en-
desvors to assume the name.
The inevitable and eternal activity of the
human mind tends constantly to draw soci-
ETY. into ceaseless progress. This is the
spirit we call reform. 1t is the wind that
forever fills the sails and moves the ship.
Conservatism is the rudder which holds
the moving ship to its course. The happy
progress of society is achieved by the har-
monious corporation of both. Reform
stimulates; Conservatism directs. In this
true sense young men are reformers, old
men are conservatives or, as was ancient
Iy said, youth for action, age for COUNSEL
But both are for progressi for without
movement society, like the individual, dies.
Each of these tendencies, of course, has
its extremes. There is an extravaganza of
reform which blows upon the sails With q
fury that splits them, and foolishness of
Conservatism which deserts the rudder for
the anchor. Both produce the same re-
suit; they stop the ship.
Apply these plain truths to our own sit
uation. We are maintaining Government
founded in impartial liberty against a re-
II * ~ hn
ment and the perpetuity of slavery. What
is true Conservatism in such a contest 1t
is that course which steadily and strongly
promotes the success of the Government
and the overthrow of the rebellion. A true
Conservatism aims first and always to pre-
serve the vital principle of the Government.
Are then the ignorant, drunken braWl-
ers who Justify denounce "niggers," or
the better dressed and educated who ac-
cuse the Executive of pure despotism who
destroy public confidence in the manage
ment of the finances, of the army, of the
navy who sneer at all measures proposed;
who exaggerste our military misfortunes
who extol rebel successes who charge the
guilt of beginning the war upon the loyal
States, and that of continuing it upon the
Constitutional authorities and who deny
the valor of soldiers if they are negroes,
in the face of the pIainest facts-are these
persons, who in every way embarrass the
Government, dishearten the people, and
favor the triumph Of the rebellion and
slavery "Oonservatives2 2" Yet there is
not q single journal or orator or convention
which now calls itself "Conseryatiye" that
does not do some or all Of these things.
To such dull folly does this kind of
"Conservatism" naturally fall that recent
| ly one of it's organs deliberately declared
the assault of the colored troops upon Fort
Wagner, year ago, to be fiction. Anx-
ions to pander to the meanest prejudice
that ever imbruted any portion of civil
i lied people, andfesriug lest slavery should
become more revolving in the light of the
| oIorious heroism of men of the enslaved
| race. newspaper peculiarly fond Of call
inc itself WConserVatiVe" denies that there
was any such assault. II might as well
deny that there was any Fort Wagner or
any battle; andit may hope to be believed
when it can heal the hearts that ache and
break because of that battle; when 1t can
| restore the brave youth who led his ne,
roes TO the parapet, fell with them' aod
was "buried with his niggers" by the enc
mics of God, of man, and of the country
whose cause this "Oonservatism" obse-
quiously serves. ....
Entin- inst as humane, generous and noble
| az This statement is the spirit that calls 1t.
self rConservatism." 1t is the same spirit
4 which formerly denounced the lawful OPP
lposition of the country to the encroacn-
ment of the slave power-hrst as tanau-
cism. and then as sectionalism. 1t is the
/ same spirit which todied the leaders OF re-
bellion when they were in power, and call
ed James Buchanan and Jefferson DAVIS
lmnationaln men, It is the same spirit
which beheld with equanimity the Annihl-
llation. of tree speech and the overthrow OF
the Constitution in all the slave States, and
denied the moral right of citizens 10 the
frfe states to discuss slavery. Is tne
same spirit offolly, which disPising human
nature and history, was inoarnated IN me
Imonsieneur of France, and produced the
French revolution: in Charles and James
Stuart of England, and conVuised the eng
dom for fifty years: in George III, ana 0c-
lcssioned, our great rsvolutioni and nnsiiyi
| In the devotees of human slavery a. tue
North and South in this country, VINO nave
plunged us into this bloody war:
The true Conservatism OF our kevolulon
protested With Otis, Adams, and ssnloe
ION. against the sneroachment OF PSEile-
nsntaTy power. The false cried, Wltn Df,
Iohnson. "taxation no tyranny" The true
nsrsisted, tried every legal form Of redtess'
anJ vben It failed, was deluded by no 81
ran sopg of peace and quiet and prosper
!. ity, but declared the indePenaenee rtH .,