An intellectual giant has passed.
William F. Buckley was a lone conservative voice in America, it seemed, for many years. Yet, when he wrote or spoke, he rang the school bell and brought many to class. As such, he was the center of gravity in a movement that fundamentally changed the trajectory of America and therefore the world. The seminal thinking of this man and the intellect and charm by which he wrote, demonstrated that despite the tendency of those left of center to characterize the right as heartless and intellectually vacuous, conservative thinkers and therefore conservative thought was an intellectual force to be reckoned with and possessed broad appeal and had respectable men at the helm.
Buckley was the founder of the conservative magazine, National Review. Of this magazine, Buckley declared that it "stands athwart history, yelling Stop, at a time when no one is inclined to do so, or to have much patience with those who so urge it." For generations it has had the audacity to question the premises, arguments, and practical results of Left thought.
His prolific authorship is matched only by a wit and wisdom that was able to sustain such voluminous production. Few in history have the capability to so consistently write something worth reading. Few can evoke envy and admiration from his opponents to the degree that Buckley was able to do so. Once a second rate writer attempted to challenge the mighty pen and wit of Buckley by critically telling Buckley that he lacked excellent and sophisticated syntax. Buckley, thus, penned this terse reply, “If you had my syntax, you would be rich.”
His talent for oratory and debate is equally gigantic. His debate against Noam Chomsky on Vietnam demonstrated his ability to drop atomic arguments against his opponents all the while conveying the idea that it was the nicest thing they had heard in a week. Subtlety and grace. Such was his legend.
He was a humble man. His testimony as a person is that those around him, intimidated by his legend, were nonetheless disarmed by his elegance and genuine friendship. Those who knew him only faintly left his presence feeling as though they made his day, and not the other way around. He had the unique ability to draw out greatness from within people who had no idea that such greatness existed within them.
His wife was a testament to his ability to choose those who would be closest to him with care and wisdom. She was a true lady, a woman whose very presence compelled men everywhere to stand upon her entrances as if to say, “We are in the presence of a lady.” He has left to join her.
Conservatism has lost a giant, one upon whose shoulders countless myriads stand. It is a sadder world with him gone, but a world that is better for him having been among us.
Good bye, Mr. Buckley.
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