On the Right

New York, May 22—Mr. Reg Murphy, the editor of the Atlanta Constitution, has lines on his face he didn’t have a year ago, as would you and I have if we had spent most of 50 consecutive hours gagged in the trunk of a car breathing a blend of carbon monoxide and fetid air, and being driven hither and yon by a kidnapper who quite coolly wondered right to the end whether he should take his big pistol back to the trunk and fire off a shot at the temple. Mr. Murphy’s general views on kidnapping are worth more than most people’s, one would think. And although one likes to believe that the age is not coming when we will be carrying cards in our wallets entitled: “Helpful Hints in Case You Are Kidnapped: Mutual of Omaha’s Special Behavior Guide”—it pays to listen . . .

For instance, on one pending matter Mr. Murphy is totally committed. He opposes legislation that would make it a felony to submit to the demands of the kidnapper. The theory of this law is totally correct, and the morality of it seductive. Crime should not pay, and therefore those who might be disposed to pay criminals should be prohibited from doing so. But here is as good an example as any of the collapse of theory up against experience.

About the Author

William F. Buckley Jr.

William F. Buckley Jr. founded National Review magazine in 1955.

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New York, May 22—Mr. Reg Murphy, the editor of the Atlanta Constitution, has lines on his face he didn’t have a year ago, as would you and I have if we had spent most of 50 consecutive hours gagged in the trunk of a car breathing a blend of carbon monoxide and fetid air, and being driven hither and yon by a kidnapper who quite coolly wondered right to the end whether he should take his big pistol back to the trunk and fire off a shot at the temple. Mr. Murphy’s general views on kidnapping are worth more than most people’s, one would think. And although one likes to believe that the age is not coming when we will be carrying cards in our wallets entitled: “Helpful Hints in Case You Are Kidnapped: Mutual of Omaha’s Special Behavior Guide”—it pays to listen . . .

For instance, on one pending matter Mr. Murphy is totally committed. He opposes legislation that would make it a felony to submit to the demands of the kidnapper. The theory of this law is totally correct, and the morality of it seductive. Crime should not pay, and therefore those who might be disposed to pay criminals should be prohibited from doing so. But here is as good an example as any of the collapse of theory up against experience.