The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-25
A QUESTION OF "coNsERvATIsM.p

publican newspapers by the new administra-
ton, the New Albany Ledger, Democratic,
says: "The next was in being reminded by
better informed Republican papers that Mr..
Lamar was one of the most conservative men
in the South or elsewhere A statement Of
vokes the inquiry into Mr. Lamar's boosted
Conservatism" If Secretary Lamar is zone
of the most conservative men in the South or
elsewhere" it is worth while to know as near
as possible what his Conservatism" is, that
we may intelligently gauge the balance of
Southern men, and determine what to expect
in the way of Conservatism from the Dem
ocratic party generally, for, of course, it is of
Democrats the Ledger is speaking. By econ
servatism," used as the Ledger uses it, we I'M
derstand moderation Of views upon questions
intimately related to and growing out Of the
recent war of the rebellion, in which, as it is
well known, Mr. Lamar took the wrong, or
Southern, side. By being conservative" we
are to understand that Mr. Lamar now stands
far removed from the bitterness of that con-
fict, and has little OR no sympathy with that
anti conservative" spirit which insists upon
parading rebellion as virtue, and in holding
up distinguished confederates as models of
American citizenship for the admiration of
the people. To be conservative" on the
q uestions growing out of the war, is to keep
wise peace, at least, when they may be up
for discussion, or if the mouth be
opened at ALL it shall be opened
on the side of the Union and
in reasonable regret at the fearful experiences
and sorrows that treason and rebellion made
necessary during the protracted period of the
war. Surely this is a mild definition of
Conservatism and, with that in mind, the
statement of the New Albany Ledger invites
us to an inquiry into Mr.. Lamar's conserva-
tism.
We do not do this from any feeling of I'M
kindness to Mr.. Lamar, or from any desire
that he should not have been made an impor-
tant part of Democratic administration. On
the contrary, we have the highest appreciation
of Mr.. Lamar's ability and scholarship and
we cannot see how Democratic administra-
ton could have well been formed without him
in conspicuous place in the Cabinet. For
this very reason it becomes the more peril
nent to know just what Mr.. Lamar's econ
servatism' is; because, that found, it follows
necessarily that it is greater than the 'con-
servat!sm' of the party of which he is q mem
Der, and which has just been summoned to
the administration Of national affairs. Secre-
tary Lamar was serving his second term as
member Of the Congress of the United States
when the secession convention of Mississippi
met. He had on his conscience an oath to
support and defend the Constitution Of the
United States, but he resigned his seat to
attend the secession convention, and shortly
lieutenant colonel; from which he was soon
promoted to a colonelcy. In 1868 he became
the minister of the Southern Confed-
eracy to Russia In 1877 he was
elected to the United States Senate, to
which he was reelected in 1885, and from
which he was called to become Secretary of
the Interior In 1879, standing in his place
in the Senate chamber, Mr.. Lamar made
speech in eulogy of Jefferson Davis, in which
he said:
Jefferson Davis stands in precisely the
position that l stand in. The only
difference between myself and Jefferson Davis
is that his exalted character his prominent
talents his ll-established reputation as a
statesman, as a patriot, and as soldier en-
abled him to take the lead in cause to which
l consecrated myself. His name
will continue to be honored for his participa-
ton in that great movement"
Here this conservative man voluntarily
aliases himself at the feet of the arch traitor
whom the world despises as a coEspirator and
rebel. He puts himself on lower plane of
worth than that occupied by the ex-confed-
crate chief, and asserts that Mr.. Davis's name
will continue to be honored' for the part he
took in ''that great movement" We re-
spectfully call the attention of the New AL
bany Ledger to this remarkably "conserva-
tive" statement of the new Secretary of the
Interior, delivered, not as a member of the
confederate Senate, but while member of
the Senate of the United States, an officer of
a government this same Jefferson Davis did
his utmost to destroy, and for which crime
he has never yet been granted forgiveness bya
restored but indignant country. And this
Conservatism" we are told, is more econ
sentative" than the balance of the South. or
of the Democratic party anywhere, for that
matter!