America is facing increasing levels of violence, crime, homelessness, and drug abuse, and the answer to solving such problems lies in a proper interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, said publisher, author, and Canadian-born British peer Lord Conrad Black.
Black was the keynote speaker for Hillsdale College’s 13th annual Constitution Day Celebration at the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner, Virginia, last week.
“The United States has a level of violent urban crime approximately 10 times greater than that of Canada, although it has a criminal conviction rate that is 150% of Canada’s,” Black said. “The Constitution did not create these problems, but violation of the Constitution permits them.”
Although other countries have looked at America as a prosperous, vibrant country for decades, that image is no longer a reality, Black said.
“Anecdotal comment from Canadian visitors returning from the United States present many of your great cities as shooting galleries infested with pitiful homeless drug addicts, where pillaging is almost a legalized form of wealth redistribution,” Black said. “You have totalitarian rates of success in criminal convictions, though robbery and assault are often now no longer crimes.”
To solve these issues, Black offered the perspective of someone looking at the United States’ problems from the outside.
“My principal suggestion is to enforce your Bill of Rights,” Black said.
Black attributed America’s present-day problems not to any Constitutional failings, but to incorrect interpretations of the Constitution.
“You have a greater and better constitutional system than the more strenuous of your domestic critics admit,” Black said. “If you can elevate adequate numbers of jurists to reestablish and defend the Constitution, it will continue to serve you well for a very long time.”
In addition to the alumni, faculty members, and friends of the college who traveled to the celebration, six senior George Washington Fellows traveled to Virginia to work at the event.
Senior Joseph Sturdy, one of the fellows working the event, said he appreciated Black’s keynote address and unique insights into the state of American politics.
“The keynote address by Conrad Black reminded Americans that even in our haggard state of politics, it can get worse,” Sturdy said. “Using Canada as an example, Lord Black gave real and concrete ways that we can improve the constitutional order of the country.”
Sturdy said he particularly enjoyed the panel discussion chaired by his former professor David Azerrad, assistant professor and research fellow at the Van Andel Graduate School of Government.
“The ‘Regime Change: Toward a Postliberal Future’ panel highlighted the difficulties facing modern conservatism,” Sturdy said. “Though the speakers have clearly opposed views as to how and why liberalism failed, what they share is a consensus that the modern regime is not healthy. These events serve as an excellent forum for debating the future of conservatism.”
Senior Meredith Kottom said she enjoyed working the Constitution Day Celebration as a George Washington Fellow and grew closer with the other fellows during the trip.
“Attending the program lectures, discussing policy and constitutional questions with the other George Washington fellows, and getting to know the college’s supporters and alumni was a wonderful opportunity,” Kottom said.
In his closing comments, Matthew Spalding, vice president of Washington operations and dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government, said the Constitution rests upon principles like the rule of law, due process, equality under the law, and prudence. Such principles, he argued, are gleaned from an understanding of the fundamental things through education.
“To save our Constitution, to save our country, is a matter of education and teaching,” Spalding said. “It’s about pursuing truth and defending liberty. It’s the life and work of Hillsdale College.”
