National Review has labored over its lifetime to construct itself as an institution — and a voice — that remains independent.
I’ve had a moment in history on my mind this week.
In 1972, William F. Buckley Jr. and several other prominent conservatives signed a statement withdrawing their previous support of the Nixon administration. At the time, Kevin Phillips commented, “The conservative intellectuals are disgusted . . . they believe that a great opportunity has been dissipated, and that their beliefs — and even the nation — are in jeopardy.”
The statement focused on inflation, unemployment, excessive taxation, inordinate welfarism — and wage and price controls. And it declared, “We propose to keep all options open in the light of political developments in the next months.”
We remain as co-heirs of the Buckley legacy, along with other institutions he founded, and a son he fathered. And that legacy means standing up for unpopular truths even when they cut against partisan interest, or even our self-interest. Even when we declare our options open.
In our world today, standing up for the truth means reminding people that marriage is between a man and a woman. And by the way, that men remain men and women remain women. It means demanding that law enforcement agencies respect the rule of law. It means challenging a dull iconoclasm and championing our nation’s Founding as a moment of liberation that inspired manumission of slaves in the immediate term, set a date to end the Atlantic slave trade to America, and inspired the abolition of slavery generations hence.
National Review has labored over its lifetime to construct itself as an institution — and a voice — that remains independent. Independent of the blowhard winds of partisanship. Independent of a single benefactor or claque of them, interposing their own agendas. Independent of our advertisers. And sometimes — as when William F. Buckley fired back, “Cancel your own goddamn subscription!” — independent of our readers’ first, hot reactions.
And you, our readers, understand this. You understand that it is your support that enables us to be a prophetic voice in our politics and culture. Even when we, occasionally, drive you up a wall, too! We promise we won’t stop fighting the war to preserve the perennial truths that keep a society flourishing, lovely, and worth defending.
Please give to our webathon.
