Statesmanship for America's Future

[Valin]

The Claremont Institute:

Charles R. Kesler

May 28, 1998

 

Statesmanship for America's future is a very difficult topic to discuss because, as Churchill famously said, "The future, though imminent, is obscure." That is really all that can be said.

 

It does seem as if the conservative movement, today, is longing for a sort of conservative "Viagra." The movement has known political success in the past. It remembers political success. It enjoyed political success. It even remembers how to obtain political success, but it just cannot bring itself to do it anymore. Some little, blue diamond like Viagra might be useful in restoring vitality to us. Unfortunately, this is a problem that cannot be treated chemically. This is an organic, or really, an intellectual dilemma or difficulty that we are in.

 

We can summon statesmen like spirits from the vasty deep all we want, but will they come? That is the question. Talking about statesmanship will not, by itself, depend upon a certain combination or coincidence of high-minded character and high moral or political principle. Still, political principles are a necessary, though not sufficient, condition for great statesmanship. In focusing on the revival of America's Founding principles, The Claremont Institute is making a vital contribution to the formation of future American statesmen.

 

(Snip)