The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-05-05
Conservative RadlcaIIsm

VOUOoS uo0tS0ss~us
Editor Independent: : Non-conser-
vatism has been the fundamental
charge against the national demo-
cratic party since Cleveland's final
retirement from the White house.
When all specific complaints against
the party have been exhausted, there
has gone up the cry Of radicalism. In
deed. SO strenuous, continuous, and
widespread has been this charge, as
voiced by the subsidized press OF the
country, both avowedly republican and
nominaIly democratic, that the mass
OF the people, who do not take the
time or have not the inclination to
think below the surface, have come TO
regard radicalism, and radicalism in
its worst form, as characteristic OF
the party founded by the author OF
the Declaration of Independence, re-
refrigerated by the hero of the battle
of New Orleans, and revindicated To
the conscience, If not through the
ballots, Of the American people by
democracy's finest exponent of the
last half century, William j. Bryan.
And now the only living ex-presi-
dent of the United States, man call
ing himself democratic, but support
ing the majority of republican prin-
ciples; a man who, like Achilles OF
old. sulked In his tent while his par
ty were storming the citadels Of mo-
nopoly and defending the Declaration
OF Independence and the federal con-
stitution against the sneers and per-
versions of the republican party
this man now has the lemerity to is
sue from his cowardly, unpatriOtic re-
tirement and advise the party which
he deserted In the hour of its need 10
return to Sanity"
Conservatism means conservation
But to conserve Is not necessarily TO
stand pat" Sanity means sound
ness. But soundness if not OF the
surface, but of vital organs. Babylon,
at the height of its power, enjoyed In
an eminent degree republican "pios-
measures the life or nations, until
the very ruins of Babylon were sought
in vain. Conservation may be either
defensive or aggressive. Radicalism
may be sane or insane. The radical
ism appropriate to conservation, the
radicalism that is sound, will depend
upon the extent and imminence and
aggressiveness of the forces arrayed
against that which is to be con-
served. The more rapid the growth
| of an evil, the more does sanity Ge-
manj decisiveness in remedy. For
the greatest ills, the heroic remedies,
whatever temporary distress they may
produce, are the sound remedies.
When nations life-blood has become
! tainted with tie virus Of an aIi=siib-
ordinating commercialism, it is time
for stern action.
| History affords no parallel to the
rapidity with which the material re-
sources OF the United States have been
developed. or &c the extent OF the for
tunes amassed through their exploit
tation. This very rapidity and e.
tent have weakened the moral sense
Of the American people with respect
to the means employed In the produc-
ton OF wealth and the ends To which
the wealth has been used. The pec-
pie. like many an Individual, could
endure the day OF small things. but
were not proof against prosperity
And so the great interests demandlnr
conservation In America. the funia.
mental principles Of democracy. a,
principle Of equal rights 10 all and
special privileges 20 none. the prin.
ciplc of self-government. the prlnci.
pie OF the suhordination Of the mill,
tary 90 the civil power these became
steadily emaRculated In practice
through the steady. conss lcnce -seal
Ing. tlme-servlne. aw.defylng. repuh.
Ilr~eorruptIng growth ~ m0nopos,
inlil,arism. and Imperialism under ths
aegIA ~ party once dedicated ID
freedom and the Union.
The forces arrayni against demo,
vsatlc polltv IN private life aud Ii
governmental councils became eolos,
sal aud 10 their magnitude they adj,
GA an equal Innoience. The prlaclplsl