Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-05-03
S;ll9tFllanGunS,
RADICALIsM AND CONSERVATISM.

In every political contest in Constitu-
t9agl system the names of Conservatism
4-I E4dicalism will be applied to the op-
sug policies, while the history of such
.yemmentS shows that the policy which
uuy cyu5crveS the principle and spirit of
au.e system is that which is called Rad
i....a, In the conflict of opinion in En-
gland before our Revolution George III.
81! d. Johnson were the stiifest of Tory
tas.rvativcs, and saw in the doctrines
aud policy Of Edmund Burke nothing but
2alclIism and the overthrow Of the mon
acly But Burke was the true Conserva-
tive. His policy would have saved the en-
le upon It's own principles.
Ia this country at this moment both Rad
,a.sm and Conservatism, as the names Of
policy Of national reorganization, are
T.cy easily defined and comprehcnded.
l4g- RadiCalIsm holds that the late rebel
states should not be suffered to take part
ia the government Of the Union which they
lave So zealously striven to destroy except
after searching inquiry into their condition,
and put upon terms which shall prevent
any advantage having been gained by re-
te.i.on. BY the result of the war the suff-
rage OF voter in South Carolina weighs
as much as tine vote Of two voters III New
l.k. Is that desirable state Of things
Would any tair-mindcd voter in South Car
Una claim that he ought to have q prefer
g-ye ia the Union because, however hon
sj.y. be mas rcbellcd against it? Radical
'4, therefore, tayoTs an equalization OF
presentation as a condition precedent to
u" .u.i recognition Of the disturbed States
.-' every citizen Of those States who sin
1.1y desires national unity and peace will
-.yor it also
baa'caIism holds that equal civil rights
-r.gTe the law should be guaranteed blythe
.4.ted states to every citizen. 1t claims
..it the Government which commands tho
.'.l"nce Of every citizen shall afford hin
l'.tectjon, and that the freedom which the
pie Of the United States have conferred
lie people Of the United States shall main
,10. Is that a pcrilous claim? Is any
.tlrT course consistent with national safety
" honor?
Vlce more Radicalism asserts that, az
lie national welfare and permanent unioI
s'A be established only upon justice, there
>lo1id be no unreasonable political disfran
I'sement Of any part of the people. 1t de
-'a that complexion, or weight, or heigh
ale reasonable political qualifications, ant
refers to the history of the country t,
slow that they have not always been so re
sEIed even in some of the late slav,
StteS, and remembers that both Presiden
anson and his predecessors were frierd
IMPARTIAL suffrage. Holding this faith
8adIcaIism urges that while we NAV hon
1stiy differ as to the wisest means of sc
,lnng political equality, yet that all ou
sa1rts should constantly tend, with due re
sFeet for the proper and subordinate funC
.l-S Of the States in our constitutions
system, to protect those equal rights {
~'A with whose assertion our Governmen
.o5an, and in consequence Of whose denia
"'l Government has just escaped the mos
'b2ai.mg fate.
IAiS is Radcalism. Is it unfair Is
institutional 1t is anarchical or rev
1uonary? 1t denies no mans rights.
Efi'es no man Of power or privilege.
aims for the National Government notI
winch is not inseparable from the ide
u such Government. Does it demand an
"r ,-'IS that every prudent and patriotic ma
,sat not to be willing to concede? q? Th
,."S OF Mr.. Thaddeus Stevens and of NJ
'AIHeF' sincerely entertained and ingel
p-$5.y defended as they are, are not tn
.s','eaI policy. Mr.. Stevens holds that th
!" .',ILDgd ,,tI.oId States are conquered province
=, ,".cn the land should be confscated, a
u;H g,at ol Ireland has been three times owe
''D'ut giving Ireland peace. Does an