The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1881-03-10

your observation, would be glad as u
correction if you would publish it.
Yours very truly,
c 4 Thornton.
Conservatism in the opinion Of many
wise men is the crown Jewel in the char
| acter Of the statesman More to be
admired than bJldneSS, more than ge-
MUS, more than diplomacy. But true
conservatism has an antipoles more dan
gerous to the legislator than the Mael
storm to the Mariner 1t is our Bourbon
ism-a species of radicalism more in
furious often to the welfare of the State
than the most violent dreams of the
tanaticism ofprogress To know where
this true conservatism ends, and this
radical bourbonsm begins, is the acme
sometimes of practical statesmanship.
Their shades are 50 blended as to re
qulre masters eye ut times TO discern
and mark the difference What mul
titude OF sins AMI short comlags this
onservatlsm does cover. 1t IS the
-ame convenient aegis to the politician
in time OF doubt aud trouble that iiber
~ has ever been TO the tyranJ IN time
of crime and cruelty. In tune Of
danger, mark how they collect n the
placid waters and anchor under this flag
of conservatism Now when there
are evils t., be corrected and active leg
islation demand fDl the material good o.
comes bourbonism and the legislator
who takes position under these colors
may know that he has crossed the line.
But the people cannot always be 80
charmed and lulled with its hallowed
influences as not TO be able to see who
or what 1t covers.
| have not heard anything but com
plimentS to the looks, to the character,
to the Intelligence and manliness OF our
Legislature now III session. 1t may be
time Of mastery inactivity. The
leeds of the State may require dis
play of this conservatism vi which have
been talking. But it does not accord
with the public sentiment | hear.
1t is commonly believed that some ac
tive radical and legislation is yet needed
to put our people on the high road to
prosperity and dey eyelopment.
The present road laws are burden
upon those who ought not to bear it.
1t is wasteful of the Iator of the State
1t is the greatest bar and hindrance to
the settlement of the State, anl an ac
knowledged failure in its results.
The fence law as it now stands has
become obsolete in its meaning and des-
tructive and oppressive IN its bearing.
The constitution has especially en-
joined protection to sheep husbandry.
And is not sin of omission as much
a SIN as one of commission? Is not
passive disobedience as much a neglect
OF duty as aggressive violation?
The question of exemption of the
manu- ulactures of the State is one of vital
Importance to the people. 1t was with
regret that | read the fate Of Mr..
Glenn bill and his fine speech upon
this subject. If the consciousness Of "a
duty well done Is not enough for him
now, he must feel and know there is
credit due him III the sweet bye and
bye.
There can be no doabt in the minds
of men vino will take the trouble to
calculate that this exemption would
pay the State 4 hundred fold. 1t is too
flimsey to characterize 1t as class legIs
ton when we think OF men IN the State
engaged III nlauulacl ute. ne state
would simply be saying to all her CIT
lzens now II some OF you will quit your
farms or other calling and - an manu-
tacture the raw product we will exempt
your capital until you have got start
and some experience We calculate that
those who 60 in, and those who CON
tinue 20 farm and the State-the whole
household will be benefited we 10 not
say who shall 20 III, We do not KNOW
who viii go in, bat we see the impor
tanee of saving this manufacturing
money to the State We put This