The Van Buren press., 1869-05-18
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The Conservatives Of Virginia. held
State Conversions few days ago, to de-
tcrminc upon the proper course to pursue
in the comA0 elections to be held in that
State under the reconstruction measures
Of Congress- After full and mature de.
liberation il was almost unanimously de-
tcrmined by the convention to make no
nominations, but to throw the entire
strength Of the conservative vote in favor
ofthe Coasersaiirs Republican candidates
who had been previously nominated in
opposition to the Radical ticket
II the Conservatives OF Arkansas
would emulate the example Of the Con-
servatives of Virginia, We would not be
much trorbled with Radicalism in this
State, after another general election!
Tho fact IL that the Conservatives OF
Arkansas have not heretofore avsiled
themselves, to the best advantage, OF the
means and opportunities they have had
to defeat Radicalism. There has been
little too much regard paid to tho pride
and consistency OF principle, and too 1T
tic regard to stratagem and diplomacy.
When a man 10 drowning there h no
time for considering, nor wisdom In de.
hating about the propYlcty and consisten-
cy OF the means Of safety TO be adopted.
The instincts Of self.preservation urge
him to seize upon any means OF escape
that may bc within his reach. Nations
40 we'll a. individuals, acting upon this
natural impulse of self. preservation. are
justified in adopting any and every
means Of defence OF assault that tho ne
ccssities Of their situation and the urgen-
cy Of the peril may require.
1t is not always wise or polite to pur-
sue strictly defensive warfare in oppcs-
ing an adversary. Romans though .
much more powerful people than the
Carthagcnians, never conquered the latter,
until they adopted the aggyessire policy
of carrying the war into africa. Aud II
Conservatism would conquer Radicalism,
1t must carry its rar into Africa, in more
senses than one. When the Romans, ,un-
der tba wise connsels nf Scipio, ad0ptsd
the aggressive policy OF carrying the war
into Africa, they adopted as their only
motto this simple but all comprehensive
sentence, Carthage must be destroyed"
And so Conservatism, in adopting the ag-
gressivc policy in battling against Radi.
calisn,, should adopt this as its only mot
to, Rodicalsm mmsf be dsstroycd. When
this conviction ofShc sbsolute necessity
Of FIRST utterly Destroying Carthage. he.
comes the active principle Of Conserv-
atism, then We may look forward to the
certain and early overthrow and destruc.
ton Of Radicalism, and not until then
Radicalism has proclaimed its motto,
that "None but Radicals are worthy Of
Office" and has solcmnly determined that
no Southern man, wAethsr By birth or a.
doption, even though he be an original
Republican, can be safely trusted with po-
litical power and influence. Conservative
Republicans are therefore as much Inter
ested as Conservative Democrats In tho
defeat and overthrow OF Radicalism.
Why, then, should not moderate Repnb-
licans unite, cordially unite, In tho enc
common object of defeating Radicalism
This is the one great vital issue OF the
times--thers is in fact no other. The on.
ly question Of any worth or considers
ton now before the American people is,
whether Radicalism or Comserrotism shall
prevail. All other questions are sub
merged and lost In this paramount issue,
and In its trial all other objects, motives
and considerations should be discarded,
or rather merged in the one great and all
pervading idea that Radiedlism mwsf be
destroyedl To impress this idea upon
the minds and sink It In the hearts ofthc
people Of Arkdnsas, Of all colors, races
and former political associations, shall
be the one uniform and conalstent aim
and purpose of this paper..-L. u. Liberal.