The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-11
MONDAY, JUNE II, 1906.
REPUBLICAN" CONSERVATISM.

1t is the habit OF Republicans to defend their
opposition to constitutional and other reforms by
the dogmatic declaration that Rhode Island is
conservative and therefore not disposed TO change
its organic law, because part of its citizenship
thinks itself entitled TO greater privileges and
larger rights than enjoyed.
The people have heard much OF this so-called
conservatism during recent years, but their keen
ness OF perception taught them long ago that it is
not conservatism but unreasoning partisanship that
impels the Republican party to hostility toward
every movement 10 give the state constitution
adequate to its needs, and toward every effort de-
signed to extirpate the abuses, the evils and cor
ruption that disgrace it and shame its thoughtful
citizenship
Conservatism might explain why this colony,
one OF the first TO resent by overt acts the oppres
sive rule of England was the last OF the thirteen
states composing the new republic to accept the
federal constitution.
1t might even be pleaded with some sem
bance OF reason as justification for the retention
of king-given charter as the organic law of this
sovereign state for fty-three years after the fed
eral constitution had been adopted and the national
government had been organized under it.
But in way is the real conservative spirit
responsible for the persistent and bitter antag=-
onism with which Republicans have met every at
tempt during the past forty years to broaden the
scope and render more liberal the provision of
the organic law OF the commonwealth.
Partisanshp rank and uncompromising is re-
sponsble for that
True conservatism is desirable quality in
individual, state nation. 1t is a restraint upon
ill-advised action it prevents the adoption of un
wise policies, and it is safeguard against temp
tation to yield to noisy but misdrected clamor.
1t is not bigoted, but broad and enlightened
II it counsels prudence it never opposes progress
In right directions and toward just ends.
Never does real conservatism deny or abrdge
the rights OF the people. Rather does it protect
them in the enjoyment OF all their privileges and
guard them against infringement spoliation
II the spirit Of true conservatism guided the
Republicans OF Rhode Island the political condi-
tions in this state today would not be Infamous"
as Colonel Goddard has truthfully and manfully
declared them to be- representative government
would never have been banished to be replaced by
government by less than nine per cent of the
population; ring and corporate influences would
not fill the Offices with subservient creatures and
dictate legislation, nor would the ballots of one
class of citizens have greater power than the
ballots OF another class.
These evils have come upon the common
wealth not because OF Republican conservatism,
but because of Republican partsanship--a parti-
sanshp so narrow, un-American and so vicious
that it outrages the cornerstone principle of our
free institutions
Talk of Republican conservatism no longer
befools the people They at last realize il is but
hollow sham and empty pretence put forward by
designing and INSCRIPTIONS to conceal the real
oft ,,;cc rIO ,,J q,
purposes