Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1867-11-27
CONSERVATISM.


One wing Of the Radical party is just now
engaged in endeavoring 4 convince the
country that the organization to which they
belong, and which has brought \ be nation
to its present unfortunate condition, - con-
seryative in its character They repudiate
Stevens, and Butler, and Sumner and
Wade They decluim against Impeachment,
and denounce the idea Of forcing negro sutl-
rage upon the people by Federal authority.
They 30 further, and declare that military
despotism and the destruction Of States
find no warrant in the Constitution, and
that the attempt to make second Hayti Of
the Southern portion Of this land, should be
condemned by white u,en without distine-
tion Of party or political faith.
This movement il on level with the &C.
tion Of the Convention which assembled at
Chicago in 1860, and nominated Abraham
Lincoln for President. That body pro-
claimed 70 the nation that "thc maintenance
'nyio,a.e Of the rights Of the States, and
"esrecial'r the right of each State to order
"anl control its own domestic institutions
accorling to its own judgements exclusive
~ = essential to that balance Of power
''.r g''A the neriection and endurance of
teal fabric depends" This was q
c0peavs'i i've position. Mr. Lincoln accepted
that position, and in speeches and letters
declared tha, the party to which he belong
ei had no desire to interfere with the rights
of the States. and no power under the Con.
s,itution to do 50, even If such movement
was considered necessary from political
point Of view. Then the Radicals acknowl-
edged this to be doctrine of their party
But Mr. Lincoln abandoned that position.
He dill interfere with the rights Of the
States.he did adoptthe most radical grounds
against this question Of State rights, ami
the party followed him, and forgot all its
ideas Of conservative action.
The same course wap pursued by ths
Radicals in the spring and summer Of 1865.
Then portion Of the party talked conserva.
tism. But did they act in that manner ai.
ter the elections were over? Stevens broach-
ell his mad theories in the House, and Sum.
ner ami Wilson domineered in the Senate,
ani the party followed their lead. States
were tcdder under foot, white men pu,
under negro rule, the business interest c
the country wrecked by Radical action, and
yet the men who we're urging on this column
controlled the party, dictated its policy,
nominated its candidates, and compelled the
rank and file to vote for them, and thus en-
dorse party which was running the country
There was m conservatism to he seen in tht
action Of the Radicals after the election, nc
,uatrer what might have been said on tha,
subject during the canvass.
The recent defeat # the Radical party ha.
again made conservatism popular wore
among certain PARTON of that organization
Bu. Stevens and Sumner and Boutwell, ant
Butler, and the men who have disregardet
all ideas of conservatism in the the past, ar.
still at the HELM of the Radical party, ant
will steer the ship in whatever direction vii
best serve their interests. They are thu
bitter elenies of all conservative action or
this question of restoring the State undel
the Constitution. They are for tearing
down, not building up. The interests of the
masses are nothing when compared with tho
future Of the Radical party, and they vii
levislate for the latter, no mntter what ef
feet those movements may have upon the
former. The only way to procure true, le
gitimate conservative action, is by p!acin,
in power the Democratic party, and destroy
ing the influence of Stevens and hi. faction
al coadjutors. II will be of no avail to con
time power in the hands Of the men VIII
now control con ,ress. They have hee
trie anl f,anl wanting on all question
which have Il conservative hearing upon tn
Affairs of the nation. The Democratic part
the true conservative party, and the hope
of the coutry are centerei in its speedy re
turn to power. Age.
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