National
Review, February 8, 1999, page 9
It is
indeed the case that Sen. Trent Lott and Rep. Bob Barr have made
a practice of addressing a group focused on white self-interest
and white power. One day, if this kind of thing spreads,
we may have a Congressional Black Caucus.
National
Review, January 25, 1999, page 10
Sen.
Trent Lott and Rep. Bob Barr (R., Ga.) have come under fire for
addressing a philo-southern and allegedly white-supremacist group.
If the charges are true, the men undoubtedly did not know the
complete agenda of their audience (most speaking engagements are
point-and-shoot). Public figures ought, however, to be cautious,
and this raises a delicate point, especially for conservatives.
Lincoln said in his second inaugural address that both sides in
the Civil War called on the same God; he even quoted, "Judge
not, lest ye be judged." But he would not have accepted
the argument that the pro-slavery side was right, or (in precociously
post-modern fashion) that both sides were equally right.
The Confederacy may – indeed, should – be honored for
its honor, and its bravery. For its principles, no.
