Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-04-13
THE CONSERVATISM OF CONGRESS

THE CONSERN ATISM OF CONGRESS.
That Understanding and timid cJnserva-
tism which would protect all time bonored
institutions. good or bad, is to be deprecated
because it is opposed to all true progress ia
religion, politics, and science. wise con-
ssryatIsm would conserve the good only and
destroy the bad. Accepting this definition
then the Thirty-ninth Congress was a con-
serVative body. The ruin which 1t was pre-
dicted would follow its legislation, has not
been visited on us. On the contrary, we are
not only as prosperous az any people could he
Who had passed through four years of fierce
civil war, but the prospect of a thorough re-
construction of the South. on the basis of
equal nights, was never so bright as at present
We all remember how rum to this District WAS
prOphecied by crOaking conservatives here
as one Of the results of emancipation
Well. the slaves were set free, and
as The lamented Artemus Ward once said
The world continues TO revolve on its axle
tree once in twenty four hours, SUBJECT only
70 the Constitution of the United States :,
Again II was said bv these same despondeut
gentlemen that negro suffrage would destroy
the yalue Of the property In this city and
work neon celvablr woe 10 all white men.
EOw has that prediction been verified Is
there one of these doubling Thomases who
to-day will sell his property for ten per cent
discount tom its value one year ago because
the negroes now vote here, If there is such
an one we would like to see him. We do not
pretend TO deny the right Of any man to hold
and prOmulgate his own opinion on these and
other political topics. but only cite these facts
10 show that gentlemen may be very much
mistaken in their judgment as to.ihe effect or
certain measures. 1t is quite probable thar
the late Congress and the present Congress
Will We: be extoiled in the highest terms nv
many who have been loIde in condemnation
OF their action, particularly if their legislation
results. as we belIsve it Will, in restoring the
Union. with a homogeneity of sentiment which
VIII ensure for us career OF unexampled pros
perity, and prove a bar to future sectional die
cords.
Senator sherman. now on his way 70
Europe, recently addressed the Union Ieapue
Club OF New York, and referred TO this sub
Ject In terms which will be- endorsed by Union
men throughout the country. He said, amsug
etteS things;
Moderate and reasoning men compIainad
atone time that Congress was seeking In nrs
vent reconstruction instead of promotino /,
But after The experience OF the last two wears
feel justified IN saying that If we had been
In too great a hurry we should have hat 70
commence the strife over again. Only y.stsr
day i received letter from Governor Brown-
OF Georgia, stating that the movement To warts
reconstruction IN the Southern States is going
on happily. and that soon they will acouiScs
IN me measures proposed by Congress II
such IL really the case, ano 1 do not don III II
Is, there VIII soon ne 4 full and csmplete set
Element Of all the difficulties between the
Nsrth and The South Within few wears
from this time the Southern States will he 7
believe, the most radical States in the Union.
We have some illustrations of this in the MS
tory OF missouri and Tennessee. On the other
hanu' believe the most conservative States
IN the future Will be New York and Ohio
who sui cling TO their preludices even after
the reason for them has ceased. donot then
tween the North and South"