Abdication of Responsibility

The present outbreak of chaos and barbarism in the Congo (Independence for An Aspiring Nation, to the reverent brethren of the press and the State Department) is a shameful regression in human history, for which the responsibility rests not upon the Africans, but upon the West—and principally upon the paramount power of the West, the United States. It is one more portent of the Whirlwind that we shall continue to reap unless we cease to sow the wind.

We do not blame children if they act like children, immaturely, in-temperately, dangerously, when they are deserted by adults who are responsible for their guidance: we should not blame barbarians if they act like barbarians when they are deserted by those who have taken upon themselves responsibilities for raising them to civilization, and in doing so, have disrupted and destroyed the ancient continuity of their pre-civilized mode of existence.

FS

About the Author

Frank S. Meyer

Frank S. Meyer was a senior editor of National Review.

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The present outbreak of chaos and barbarism in the Congo (Independence for An Aspiring Nation, to the reverent brethren of the press and the State Department) is a shameful regression in human history, for which the responsibility rests not upon the Africans, but upon the West—and principally upon the paramount power of the West, the United States. It is one more portent of the Whirlwind that we shall continue to reap unless we cease to sow the wind.

We do not blame children if they act like children, immaturely, in-temperately, dangerously, when they are deserted by adults who are responsible for their guidance: we should not blame barbarians if they act like barbarians when they are deserted by those who have taken upon themselves responsibilities for raising them to civilization, and in doing so, have disrupted and destroyed the ancient continuity of their pre-civilized mode of existence.