What is conservatism? Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried?

What is conservatism? Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried?

Conservatism, as a political ideology, is often associated with a desire to preserve traditional values and institutions. It is rooted in the belief that the old ways of doing things are often the best, and that change should be approached cautiously and with a healthy dose of skepticism. In the context of Abraham Lincoln, this definition of conservatism can be seen in his approach to governance and his views on the preservation of the Union.

Lincoln, as a Republican president during a time of great upheaval in American history, faced the challenge of leading the country through a civil war that threatened to tear it apart. In this context, his conservatism can be seen in his commitment to preserving the Union and upholding the principles of the Constitution. Despite the pressures of the war and the calls for radical change from some quarters, Lincoln remained steadfast in his belief that the old ways of governance were the best way to ensure the stability and prosperity of the nation.

One of the key aspects of Lincoln's conservatism was his adherence to the principles of the Founding Fathers and his belief in the importance of preserving the Union at all costs. In his famous Gettysburg Address, Lincoln spoke of a "new birth of freedom" that would ensure that the government of the people, by the people, and for the people would not perish from the earth. This commitment to the ideals of the American Revolution and the preservation of the Union can be seen as a form of conservatism, as Lincoln sought to uphold the old and tried principles of American democracy against the new and untried forces of secession and disunion.