William F. Buckley's peculiar South

Conservative icon William F. Buckley was found dead today in his Connecticut study at the age of 82. The magazine he founded is in mourning, with tributes on the National Review's Web site from political heavyweights like Sen. John McCain, who deems Buckley a "Great American."

Also weighing in is Charles Murray, the author whose controversial theories link race and IQ. In a piece is titled "WFB the Sweetheart," Murray writes that Buckley "had the kind of manners that are so good that they cease being manners and become a warming aura. Yes, I know he changed the world, and I'm glad about that. But what so often occurred to me in his presence was that I was talking with an extraordinarily good man."

Really? Are the following truly the words of a "Great American" -- of an "extraordinarily good man" with a "warming aura"? They appeared in an unsigned National Review editorial, probably penned and undoubtedly published by Buckley, that ran on Aug. 24, 1957, titled "Why the South Must Prevail":

"The central question that emerges . . . is whether the White community in the South is entitled to take such measures as are necessary to prevail, politically and culturally, in areas in which it does not prevail numerically? The sobering answer is Yes–the White community is so entitled because, for the time being, it is the advanced race. It is not easy, and it is unpleasant, to adduce statistics evidencing the cultural superiority of White over Negro: but it is a fact that obtrudes, one that cannot be hidden by ever-so-busy egalitarians and anthropologists.

"National Review believes that the South's premises are correct. . . . It is more important for the community, anywhere in the world, to affirm and live by civilized standards, than to bow to the demands of the numerical majority."

Buckley undoubtedly had a way with words, and is remembered fondly by friends and family. But a warming aura?

Feels pretty chilling from here.

Labels: segregation, william f. buckley