Conservatism and the Founding Fathers

Mencken’s definition of the American notion of musical taste was: “I don’t know much about music, but I know what I like.” Kesler’s definition (as it henceforth shall be called) of American conservatism’s notion of principle is: “I don’t know what I’m for, but I know what I’m against.”

So great is this studied neglect of principle that many conservatives, though setting great store by the Founding Fathers, doubt whether they would have taken the Founders’ side in the American Revolution. This surely is the case with those who persist in calling themselves “Tories.” Whatever else “Tory” may mean—can there really be partisans of the House of Stuart left? —in this connection it means adhering to the view that George Washington was a traitor who should have been caught and executed for leading an unjust rebellion against British authority.

About the Author

Charles R. Kesler

Charles R. Kesler, a professor of government at Claremont McKenna College, is the editor of the Claremont Review of Books.

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Alexis de Tocqueville

Mencken’s definition of the American notion of musical taste was: “I don’t know much about music, but I know what I like.” Kesler’s definition (as it henceforth shall be called) of American conservatism’s notion of principle is: “I don’t know what I’m for, but I know what I’m against.”

So great is this studied neglect of principle that many conservatives, though setting great store by the Founding Fathers, doubt whether they would have taken the Founders’ side in the American Revolution. This surely is the case with those who persist in calling themselves “Tories.” Whatever else “Tory” may mean—can there really be partisans of the House of Stuart left? —in this connection it means adhering to the view that George Washington was a traitor who should have been caught and executed for leading an unjust rebellion against British authority.