Men grow and are trained in knowledge and virtue; but they cannot be compelled into this path.

This consideration teaches candor and charity towards all who do not yet see the truth as we do.

It admonishes us also, while keeping the eye steadfast on the good we seek, to moderate our expectations, and be content when the day of triumph is postponed, for it cannot be always.

But there is another Conservatism,--and its treatment belongs to this occasion,--of a different character, which performs no good office, and cannot secure respect.

Child of indifference, of ignorance, of prejudice, of selfishness, it seeks to maintain things precisely as they are, deprecates every change, and, disregarding the transitory condition of all that is human, blindly prays for the…

Such an influence is productive of disorder rather than order, and is destructive rather than justly conservative.

Contrary to the Law of Progress, it plants itself upon ancient ways, and vainly exalts all that was done by our ancestors, as beyond addition and above amendment.

It were well--and here all must agree--to exclaim of Truth, of Justice, of Peace, of Freedom, May it be perpetual!

But is it not irrational to make this claim for any institutions of human device, and therefore finite?

How can they provide for the Infinite Future?

Nothing from Man's hands--nor laws, nor constitutions--can be perpetual.

Among the ancient Greeks, the wisdom which first assigned the natural cause of thunder and storm was condemned by conservative savages as impiety to the gods.

This little story may admonish all who have passed that conservative line to be careful how they are inhospitable to any new truth.

This same undue tenacity to existing things and repugnance to what is new threw impediments in the way of successive improvements by which travel and intercourse among men are promoted.

As late as the close of the reign of Charles the Second, the streets of London, with a population of half a million, were not lighted at night, and, as a natural consequence, became the frequent scene of assassination and outrage…

There are too many in the world who by their efforts would cause the stream to flow back upon the fountain, and even make the mill-wheels revolve in a contrary direction.

Unhappily, this same bigotry,--conservatism, if you will,--which has blindly opposed improvement in physical comforts, sets its face more passionately still against those movements whose direct object is the elevation of the race.

In all times and places it has persecuted the prophets and stoned the gifted messengers of truth.

The early efforts in England for the overthrow of the slave-trade were encountered by an enmity black as the bad passions of the crime itself.

But gradually the heart of the nation was touched, until at last the people of England demanded the abolition of this Heaven-defying traffic.

Thus ever has Truth moved on,--though opposed and reviled, still mighty and triumphant.

Rejected by the rich and powerful, by the favorites of fortune and of place, she finds shelter with those who often have no shelter for themselves.

Not the dwellers in the glare of the world, but the humble and lowly, most clearly perceive this truth,--as watchers placed in the depths of a well observe the stars which are obscured to those who live in the effulgence of noon.

Free from egotism and prejudice, whether of self-interest or of class, without cares and temptations, whether of wealth or power, dwelling in the mediocrity or obscurity of common life, they discern the new signal, and surrender…

Let us at all hazards prevent the extension of Slavery and the increase of the Slave Power.