The American Traditionalist Society
November 18, 2013
MONTHS ago, I informed readers that I was involved in an effort to start the American Traditionalist Society. Serious progress has been made on this project. One of the main purposes of the society is to bring together in various ways those who share many of the views expressed here. Unfortunately, I have to put aside my own involvement in this effort for now. I apologize for not being able to make this a reality yet. Organizing people is not one of my strengths. Others have great abilities in that area that I do not possess. Also, in some ways, I do not conform to the commonly agreed-upon definition of traditionalism.
Even so, if I were wealthy, I would buy an island off the northern coast of Maine and establish the headquarters of the American Traditionalist Society immediately. There would be no seminars, fancy conference rooms or PowerPoint demonstrations on this island. Our meetings would be strictly anti-modern in form and even the gulls, normally undiscriminating, would decline pizza. Instead, people would come in small numbers to walk and listen to the ancient vespers of the sea. They would hone their weapons, so to speak, on the edge of civilization and commune with ancestors on the opposite shore. “Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors,” said Chesterton. “It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about.” The ocean would come to seem a mere pond. Europe, that great continent that now awaits re-conquest, would be close enough to touch. Then we would return home with polished armor.
In the meantime, before that island is purchased, if you would like to join those who are working on the more mundane project of getting this organization started, please let me know and I will happily pass your name on to them. A reader has designed a great-looking website for the organization and Alan Roebuck, of The Orthosphere, has hashed out the principles eloquently. But, as Mr. Roebuck says, “The American Traditionalist Society is an idea greater than any of us.”
