Conservatism as Honor

Honor is one of "The Permanent Things." Over the centuries Conservatives have prized honor in human affairs. In fact, the late, great historian Barbara Tuchman (1912-1989) stated shortly before her death that America's ills, which are multiplying daily, are the result of the lack of honor. For her, honor was the earned respect of our fellow citizens. We are worthy of their trust. Our word is our bond. In fact, the 1776 American Declaration of Independence concludes with a pledge of its signers of their "sacred honor" to stand by their words. These old-timers valued honor and recognized its importance in human affairs. Look at their Republic today. Clowns, political gangsters, systematic liars, and economic terrorists call the shots today; they have no shame. And they do not seek the respect of others. Nobody in his or her right mind believes what they say any longer - or trust them to rise above looting the rest of us. At one time, the tradition of duelling over affairs of honor set limits to people running their mouths and doing whatever they wanted. For example, Andrew Jackson, who later became President of the Republic, heard that a man in Nashville, TN, where he lived, was bad-mouthing Jackson's wife Rachel in public. He was besmirching her and Jackon's honor. Jackson rode into town and "called out" the loud mouth into the street for a duel, in which Jackson shot the scumbag dead. Students of American history, if any are left, of course, know Alexander Hamilton died in a duel over political insults - over personal honor. However, how can you defend your honor if you have no idea that such a concept or value exists? We can see the resulting damage rising around us. Yes, Tuchman got it right. America could use a strong dose of honor to set it aright again.