The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-02-19

1t is speaking In accordance with a great
fact to say that the Liberal party in politics Is
always the most in the right, has more Of the
spirit OF progress, that 1t best represents the
true state of the times, and is founded upon
those principles rom which nation takes its
growth. There are two great parties, this
7 which is ever going forward In search OF the
truth and belongs to the future, and that
which there's TO established forms and old
precedents and belongs TO the past, and those
of the present day are brought into q state of
greater antagonism 10 each other than ever
before.
In England this spirit Of liberalism is ac-
qu.rlng such favor that the strongest conser-
vative power of the age is falling before it. In
Italy it Is opposing the combined strength oil
all Europe, and, weak and ietteIeI though It
Is, It gives good PROMISE Of success; and in
America il has made such great advancement,
Is so fully developed, that in connection with
its opposing power, it bears more the relation
ottruth to ei1or, oi right 10 wrong.
For conservatism in arepubIic means either
. wise prudence or over cautiousness. be-
lief in the settled order of thngs, or that
douinative spirit, which results from the
abuse Of freedom and is wholly at variance
vita Republican principles. Apd We cannot
but admit, uninhuenced by all party preju-
dices, that the American Conservatives have
gone very Tar astray. nom the old faith OF
their fathers. This war gave thorough test
to this question. 1t proved, as nothing else
could, who were the true friends of this
country and who We're The false, aud it may
safely he said that all those Of whatever party
who did not incline TO the side of right, al a
time when the line defining right and wrong
was so clearly drawn, are traitors at heart,
and would subvert The Government !! they
could. ,-..-.
it is true, of course, that there are learned,
patriotic. conscientious men within the ranks
OF the Democratic party, men wEo are Con-
servatiyeS by nature, and who do not know
that iealty to party is disoyalty 70 the coun-
try tin .-ae.r frr..l ..l.aFr-l-rg1 o.. -r..--.1
Standing in these relations, then, it is not
strange that the Conservatives should call
Liberalism "RadicalisIn." 1t Is the purest
Radeaiism to them, as they understand the
word ard as the word even in its most OIL
noxious political sense. does in truth apply
to small portion Of our great Liberal party,
they make frequent use Of it and gain good
vantage ground thereby.
| This Radical element, free as it is from all
evil designs, has always been an injury to the
Liberal party, acted as hindranee, a means
ofcontroyersy and misunderstanding. a &
To be sure it is sign OF strength IN this
nation, an indication of a high morality, which
tends towards the recognition of the highest
claims of truth and justice But il Is inn
practicable in all its bearings; it always goes a
| little beyond the bounds Of reason and good
sense.
Ii Radicalisni and Consetvatism could be
combined in true proportions, particularly in
the character OF our public men, we should
soon have au ideal state, and class of public
servants, such as the country stands in great
need OF at time like the present
tits certain blending Of these qualities In
| the character Of Gen. Grant and few other
| great names equally deserving of the nations
highest regard, which brings him in such prom.
inence before the people, And il is such
men as these-and only such men as these
that The American people should be willing
to acknowledge as their rulers; men who can
look beyond the petty isims of the hour, whose
clear insight shows to them the highest lines
OF duty, whose personal integrity is in har-
mony with the grandest possibilities of the
future. \. -. d. ---. .---- .--- I'll H G.