The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-30
Conservatism.

lt may be worth while to consider the
fact occasionally that Conservatism,
however respectable and wise, was nev-
er popular in the United States. The
most radical of parties has ever tri
umphed over its rival in Federal poll
tics. Neither public interests, nor
customs. nor Constitutions, nor expert
ence, nor morality, nor all combined,
nor reason, nor philosophy, nor danger,
have ever proven sufficient as barriers
to thwart or even stay the headlong
course of the party that professed the
most advanced radicalism We do not
maintain that this is right-only that
our history proves it to be fact--an i'm.
perious fact that deserves observation
and consideration-and is perhaps an
evil that ought to be guarded against
| Federalism was conservative-Democ
racy was a radical experiment and in
novation upon former precedent. And
Democracy drove its rival out of exist
ence, and maintained its power against
all conservative competitors until a
rival more radical appeared on the
scene. Sheer accident gave that rival
its first victory and placed the Federal
government in its power--but its ad-
vanced and even destructive radicalism
and open fraud as a part and the climax
of that radicalism, maintained it in
power until our government was not
only changed but revolutionized. That
this particular form of radicalism can
not last long from mere want of ad-
hesion is sufficiently patent, but as love
for the extreme prevails, will it not
eventually be supplanted by something
still in advance of all former parties in
the profession o. eXtravagant ideas ?
The French haN~ never been able to
maintain Republic and probably
never will for this very reason.
The dependence of the American peo.
pie is upon their assumed superior in.
telligence. If they possess this virtue
it may be sufficient for their purpose,
but it may be well for them to bear in
mind that this rare excellence is not
universally accorded to them, is even
denied, and may possibly be an haluci
nation. But whatever may be true in
that regard, it can not but be apparent
to every one who looks around him
that they are not very reflective peo.
pie, that go-aheaditiveness is an over
powering element in their character,
that they bend almost every energy to
the making of money and to maintain
extravaganza in living, and that their
minds are more intent in that direction
than in considering and mastering abb
struse problems in political philosophy
and public morals. 1t may be conclu
ded, therefore, that this underlined and
unadmitted claim to intelligence is not
altogether a sure reliance, and that it
behoves all people to strive further for
intelligence and to think deeply upon
every matter of public concern-and
then to act solely from noble aspirations
and patriotic impulses. The fondness
for extreme ought not to rule, ought to
be checked aud destroyed, and an ear.
nest desire to do right ought to take its
place.
Nor have we, by any means, undoubt-
ed faith in conservatism. Progress and
advancement are better things when
fully considered and rightly applied.
No stand still policy can ever prevail
amongst free and energetic people.
They force change and excogitate new
wants and new vices, develope new
virtues and powers-never occupy an
even plain but advance upward or re-
trograde downward-and will thus ever
render new measures and new ideas