Critical Mass

I (Dan Gelernter) take care of the Yale Tory Party website, and in working on getting the site ready for freshmen next year I've put up what is known in the Yale Political Union as an "org speech" -- at the beginning of each term, the newly elected chairman delivers an organizational address to the entire YPU, explaining the worth of his party to everyone else. This is a particularly excellent speech about my debating party, given by Daniel Theis, who was chairman in the Spring of 2005:

Thank you Madam Speaker. My name is Daniel Robert Thies, and I am the 76th Chairman of the Tory Party.

Madam Speaker, in the search for truth and meaning in this life, many people in our society have fallen into one of two errors. Some are daunted by the intellectual and moral challenge of this search and conclude that no truth exists outside of that which is specific to each individual or culture. Others refuse to tolerate any uncertainty or ambiguity in truth and resent any challenge to their dogmatic views. Still others manage to commit both errors at once as they dogmatically insist that the only truth is that there is no truth.

Madam Speaker, the Tory Party is distinguished by the fact that it strives to avoid both errors. We have not abandoned the search for truth, and our philosophy directly opposes all dogmatism. You see, Madam Speaker, true conservative thought springs from a skeptical view of human nature. We do not assume that governments can remove all social ills or that human reason can perfect our society, and we recognize that all humans, including ourselves, lack the moral and intellectual qualities necessary to fully discern the truth. Therefore, when searching for the truth, we do not look inward to our own prejudices and whims in order to impose what we find upon others. Instead, we look outward to tradition, history, and revelation in order to impose what we find upon ourselves.

Our debates are thus meant to determine what the truth is, and what it demands of us in thought and deed. We realize the need for self-reflection, even while recognizing that such a practice sometimes brings with it the price of a heavy self-consciousness. It also brings, however, a detachment from the cultural squabbles of our day in which so-called intellectuals talk incessantly at each other. Wallowing in indifference or vigorously insisting that they are right until proven otherwise, such people fail to recognize the need for collaboration in discerning the truth.

In contrast, the Tories value ideas over ideology, and reason over rhetoric. We seek to apply the accumulated wisdom of the ages, cherishing virtue, duty, and honor, and countenancing only slow and prudent change. Unlike some other Union parties who share our side of the aisle for reasons unknown, the devotion of the Tory Party has always been to these principles. We do not desire to encompass the entire ideological spectrum within our ranks. While welcoming conservative Republicans and Democrats alike and cherishing friendships with those of all stripes, we remain the only party within the Political Union that is truly conservative.

To our friends on the left, I send the compliments of the Tory Party. While we may disagree with them on certain issues, we will always seek to provide the reasoned and respectful conservatism so desperately needed on the floor of this Union. To our friends on the right, I simply ask that they join us in our ongoing defense of the conservative tradition at Yale. To everyone, particularly all those not yet in a party or perhaps reconsidering their affiliations, I extend an invitation to our debates, toasting sessions, Monday dinners at Branford, and Friday lunches at Mory’s. All are especially welcome this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Trumbull Room of Branford College to debate the resolution “A Great State has no Need for Great Leaders.” Furthermore, next month the Tory Party will fill the top floor of Mory’s for our annual Alumni Banquet.

Madam Speaker, George Will writes of his conservative convictions: “I call [these virtues] ‘Tory’ because that is what they are. I trace the pedigree of my philosophy to Burke, Newman, Disraeli and others who were more skeptical, even pessimistic, about the modern world than most people are who today call themselves conservatives.” The Tory Party recognizes that to share the skepticism of such giants requires both humility and deference. These attitudes remain the quintessence of the Tory Party and an indispensable part of our search for truth. For we must always recall the words of St. Thomas Aquinas, who wrote, “By doubting we come to inquiry, and by inquiry to the Truth.” Thank you, Madam Speaker.