The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-05-25
not willingly submissive. but firm in
that rectitude OF purpose which was
enunuinted bYher military leaders at

enunplnted by her military leaders at
their surrender. and since practiced
by them-viz: to recognize the de-
feat of their cause, and manfully
abide by the disastrous consequences
which ensued, and always do ensue
from such an overwhelming defeat as
they suffered. Such is the record Of
true conservatism that the South has
written for herself through two or
three years of sore trials aud diff
culties.
And now that she is brought face
to face with what she is assured is
the ultimatum that will relieve her
from her political difficulties and
Sheir attendant evils, will she aban-
don that policy of true conservatism
which has sustained her thus far?
Her people must remember that con-
servatism is opposed to radicalism in
the plain acceptance Of both terms,
and, therefore, that whatever course
they adopt that will defeat the in
sidious schemes of radicalism, is con-
servntism. Clinging to old prciu-
diccs, hugging old political theories,
encasing themselves in the shell of
the doctrine of State rights and State
sovereignty, refusing to recognize the
circumstances which surround them,
and declining to work because their
former theories and doctrines have
been upset, is not conservatism, but
fatal mistake, if the policy should
PREVAILS simply briging grist to the
mill-stones of radicalism, giving it
the means of sustenance and the
power of inficting further and
heavier ills upon them.
Conservatism adapts itself to the
inevitable and unavoidable cricum-
stances which it finds itself placed in,
and takes advantage of them-but
for q specific end and purpose.
"Conservative," according to Walker
is retaining the power to prevent
diminution or loss; according to
Webster, as applied to an individual,
Zone who aims to preserve from
ruin, innovation, injury or radical
change" This is the true definition
of conservative. The South aud her
people earnestly desire to preserve in
this Government the spirit as we'll us
the form of republican liberty; they
desire to restore and maintain the
Constitution as it came from the
founders of that Government, and
they ought not to shrink from such q
task, merely because the road to its
accomplishment is rough, and in
some, places apparently impossible,
but, cinging to their characteristic
conservatism, look only to the end to
be accomplished-that end being, in
the present crisis, political redemp-
ton for their State and for their
country.
These are our ideas of conserva-
tism, and we urge its application,
especially in this State, at the pre-
sent untoward jnncture in our politi-
cal affairs Union mon sbou1d on st
aside any prejudice they may enter
tain, because they cannot at once
enter into the Union as ii ,cas. Se-
cessionists must lay aside their dog
mas and doctrines, now defunct and
exploded, and unite with men of
every shade of former political Opt
MON, to recover their position in the
Union eren as ii is; and when conserya-
tism has landed them there, they can
work more efficiently than ever they
could do out of it for the re-estab-
lishment of tho principles of the
Constitution and of republican liber-
ty. The man who refuses to register
and vote under the laws, and the
man who, having registered, votes
emo convention" especially in this
State, votes against her best interests,
and aids in the indefinite postpone
ment of the recovery of her rights as