CHAPTER V

Conservatives

and

the Family

IhE GERM of public affections,"

Burke wrote, "is to learn to love the little platoon we be-

long to in society." We cannot feel any affection for our

country unless we first love those near to us. The con-

servative feels that the family is the natural source and

core of any good society; that when the family decays, a

dreary collectivism is sure to supplant it; and that the

principal instrument of moral instruction, ordinary edu-

cation, and satisfactory economic life always must remain

the family. What makes life worth living is love; and love

is learnt in the family, and withers when the health of

family-life is impaired.

Now very powerful forces are at work to diminish the

influence of the family among us, and even to destroy the

family for all purposes except mere generation. Some of

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